TEN YEARS ago, Frank McGlynn togged out for the Ulster SFC final in the Hogan Stand.
Trips to Croke Park weren’t as regular then as they have become in the last six years.
The GAA upped finals out of Ulster to headquarters in those days. McGlynn was in his first year in the squad having been called up by Brian McIver and had made his SFC debut as a sub against Down in Ballybofey.
He didn’t played in the 2006 final, but watched on from the stand as Paul McGrane’s goal fired Armagh to a 1-9 to 0-9 win before 50,715 supporters.
Late in the game, McGlynn’s Glenfin team-mate Stephen McDermott was denied a goal by Armagh ‘keeper Paul Hearty.
It was another five years before McGlynn got back to an Ulster final, since restored to their traditional Clones home – and he’s been there now for six Julys in a row.
“When you go training every night with the group we have, it’s very hard to turn your back on the chance to get to these finals,” the Stramore NS teacher told Donegal Sport Hub ahead of Sunday’s clash with Tyrone.
[adrotate group=”53″]“We weren’t reaching finals for a long number of years. We’re wise enough to know that when they do come along you have to make the most of them.
“It’s a massive, massive game for the general public and GAA folk to look forward to. There are plenty of people in Tyrone supporting Donegal and plenty of people in Donegal supporting Tyrone. There’s a great rivalry there.
“There’s always been a rivalry, but finals and previous games won’t mean much when the ball’s thrown up on Sunday.”
[adrotate group=”70″]McGlynn believes Donegal’s path to the final will stand to them come Sunday.
Down to 14 men before half-time, they survived against Fermanagh and the two games against Monaghan were as intense and frenetic as you could hope for.
“We really did step it up against Monaghan and hopefully we can continue that in the final,” McGlynn said.
[adrotate group=”76″]“Not only was it three games, but it was three games that we were asked big questions in. That’s what you need. You don’t get answers sometimes until you’re asked questions and we were asked questions in all three games.”
Listen to the full interview below …
https://soundcloud.com/donegalsporthub-club-notes/donegals-frank-mcglynn-before-ulster-final
Tags: