The reigning Ulster club champions Gaoth Dobhair take on Naomh Conaill in Páirc Sheain Mhic Cumhaill this Sunday October 20th with throw-in at 4.00.
Despite having contested three of the last four finals Naomh Conaill go into Sunday’s encounter as slight underdogs. Manager Martin Regan points out that while Naomh Conaill “lost last years final comprehensively to Gaoth Dobhair, it was a little comforting to see them go on to win the Ulster Championship. Gaoth Dobhair had a superb year last year and have really raised the bar for other clubs in Donegal. They have set huge standards and it is now up to other clubs to try and reach the standards they have set … tá súil agam go mbeidh cluiche bríomhar, spórtúil againn, go mbainfidh sibh uiligsult as agus go dté sibh slán abhaile.
For Gaoth Dobhair it has been an eventful journey towards today’s final. Bainisteoir Mervyn O”Donnell comments they “overcame the “Group of Death”, three years in a row and a lot of that is down to the great belief that we as a team and management had in ourselves”. Mervyn has no doubt that “Naomh Chonaill, will provide us with a challenge. They have a good championship campaign to date and today we will have to raise our game to the next level if we want to compete with them and we fully appreciate the task ahead of us – tá súil agam go mbeidh an obair chrua uilig atá curtha isteach ag an fhoireann seo le trí bhliain anuas le feiceáil ina gcuid imirt de Domhnaigh”.
The match referee is Enda McFeely from Naomh Mhuire, Conmhaigh and the Man of the Match Trophy – the Peadar McGeehan Memorial Ward is sponsored by Ann McGeehin.
Whatever the outcome on Sunday next, the winners will be a better team for the experience and well equipped to lead Donegal’s ambition to retain an Ulster Club Championship within the county.
