JOHN GERARD MCLAUGHLIN and Michael Byrne stand over 12 foot between them – and they certainly walked tall for Glengad United yesterday.
It was Byrne’s 63rd minute goal that gave Glengad the 1-0 win over Clonmany Shamrocks that secured back-to-back Jackie Crossan Premier League titles for the north Inishowen side.
Picture caption: Glengad United manager Shane Byrne with his sons and players Michael, Adam and Matthew after the game.
The teams went into the game at Shamrock Park deadlocked on points; it was real winner-takes-all stuff.
Byrne netted and Glengad rejoiced.
That Clonmany were kept at bay was largely down to the way Glengad set up, with captain McLaughlin a real tower at centre-back.
Glengad were content to soak up anything that came their way, with ‘Crua’ the glue that ensured goalkeeper Kevin McLaughlin was untroubled for the most part of an afternoon that ended in the champagne being corked.
Glengad United captain John Gerard McLaughlin is presented with the Jackie Crossan Premier Division trophy by League registrar Jude McCrossan
“We came here thinking if we could get a clean sheet that the worst case scenario was a play-off,” McLaughlin told Donegal Sport Hub afterwards.
“We came here in confident mood. You know what you’ll get with Clonmany: full-blooded. We knew that it would be a hard match here today. That proved the case.”
Just after the hour mark, Nigel McMonagle’s ball to the back post was turned back across goal by Christy Fildara for Byrne, who turned home from close range.
“I don’t think I could have gone back in if I’d missed that today,” Byrne smiled.
“It was scrappy, but once we got ahead it was about keeping ahead.”
Glengad went to an FAI Junior Cup quarter-final this season and reached four Cup finals – but this was really the one that mattered.
Byrne said: “The Junior Cup was great and it was great to get the name out there, but this is the bread and butter.
“Clonmany pushed us all the way. The pressure was on us every week. The points on the board are better than a heap of matches.”
[adrotate group=”37″]Listen to the full interview below …
https://soundcloud.com/donegalsporthub-club-notes/john-gerard-mclaughlin-and-michael-byrne-after-glengad-win-league-title
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