A WILD ATLANTIC GAEL howled across Eamonn Byrne Memorial Park in Killybegs on Saturday, but Michael Molloy had been sufficiently warmed by an encouraging hour by his Kilcar team.
Kilcar swatted aside the challenge of an in-transition Four Masters to advance to the semi-finals of the Donegal SFC.
It’s been 22 years since Kilcar last graced county final Sunday. 1993 also represents their last lifting of the Dr Maguire.
The barren years have taught Molloy not to shout from the rooftops at this stage.
That said, he couldn’t but allow a contented look after a 14-point win as Ryan McHugh, Andrew McClean and Stephen McBrearty struck gold in a 3-13 to 0-8 win.
Picture caption: Captains Ryan McHugh (Kilcar) and Josh Lacey (Four Masters) with the match day officials before Saturday’s quarter-final in Killybegs. Picture courtesy of Charlie O’Donnell.
“We’re happy with the performance,” Molloy nodded, uncomfortable at the praise that was flowing in his direction.
“We played quite well. We worked hard in the first half and that was all about staying in the game.
“ With the strong breeze, that could have been difficult, but we kept the ball well and we made it hard for Four Masters. We didn’t have too many turnovers, which is something that we’d be delighted with. “
McHugh’s goal had them 1-3 to 0-3 ahead after a tepid first half.
Molloy said: “Ryan took his goal brilliantly – he’s a fine player.”
McBrearty turned on the style for a sublime second-half performance and he ended the day with 1-5.
Molloy is cautious about talking up his young prospect, but there was no masking the influence that McBrearty had on the afternoon.
Molloy said: “Stephen is gaining the experience. People are looking at him thinking that he’s been around a long time, but he’s only 19 and he’s had two bad knee injuries already. To be fair to the lad, he’s playing well.”
Kilcar were without Eoin McHugh for Saturday’s quarter-final, but he’s on course to return for the semi-final against Naomh Conaill, while they’ll be anxious to return Conor McShane to his full-back sentry in a fortnight’s time.
Molloy said: “We know that it’ll be tough. We expect nothing different when it comes to this stage of the Championship. As it narrows down, the teams get better, but you can’t win it without beating the top teams.
“At the start of the year our aim was to get to the final and thank God we’re still on course to do that.”
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