Micheál Carroll has recharged his batteries and will be back in the Donegal squad once Gaoth Dobhair’s All-Ireland club odyssey is over.
Carroll took a step back from the Donegal panel last spring and helped Donegal Boston to a Senior Championship title.
Picture: Micheál Carroll in action for Gaoth Dobhair. Picture by Aodh Máirtín Ó Fearraigh
Carroll watched on from Beantown as Donegal defeated Fermanagh in the Ulster final.
Carroll will be among the key players on Saturday when Gaoth Dobhair face Corofin in an All-Ireland club semi-final – and is eyeing up a Donegal return.
“I was always in contact with Declan (Bonner, Donegal manager) and always wishing the boys luck over the summer,” Carroll said.
“When the club finishes up after, hopefully after Paddy’s Day, I’ll get right back in for Donegal and put the shoulder to the wheel for them again.”
Spending the summer Stateside helped Carroll regain his focus and he returned to aid Gaoth Dobhair to a first Donegal SFC crown in 12 years.
Now, the west Donegal men stand one hour from Croke Park as they take on Corofin – the defending champions – in Saturday’s semi-final in Carrick-on-Shannon.
Carroll was joined by Corofin trio Liam Silke, Dylan Wall and Jason Leonard in Boston and they defeated Wolfe Tones 0-17 to 1-12 in the final at Canton
Carroll said: “The break done me well there for a few months in America.
“I still played football, but not with as much pressure.
“Personally, I think the break done me well and I recharged the batteries. I came back and slotted in for Gaoth Dobhair and put the shoulder to the wheel.
“I was on the go flat since I was 15 or 16, doing full circle years form underage, schools, colleges. It was the best thing OI ever done, take a step back.”
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