 lowest temperatures tonight of 12 to 14 degrees. A standard shallow rain warning has been issued for Donegal. Metairn is warning of heavy rainfall leading to localised flooding in parts. The warning comes into effect at 10 o'clock tonight and will remain in place until 5 o'clock tomorrow morning. That's all from Highland Radio News for now. Our next local news bulletin will be tomorrow morning at 7 o'clock. Good evening. This is Highland Radio, your voice, your station. The DL Debate with Sister Sarah's Laddercanny, serving food you'll love till 9pm daily in Sarah's kitchen. And there's free admission entertainment every weekend. Well, it's a very good evening and welcome along to the DL Debates. Live from the mountaintop in Laddercanny, just coming up in six minutes past seven. And tonight's programme very much focused in on the Donegal Senior Football Championship final. Where, of course, this coming Sunday, St Yunan's and Neve Connell will once again do battle for the right of the Dr McGuire Cup. Joining me in studio is Brendan Kilcoin on Zoom from the other side of the world. We've got John Gilday and also in studio as well to give us his thoughts in the big decider and talk about his career. We have Neil McGee. So, gentlemen, you are all very welcome to the DL Debate tonight. And coming up on the show later as well, we will be talking to Andy Connors, chairman of the Termin Ladies, who took victory in that senior championship decider yesterday in dramatic fashion on 25m free kicks. We'll get Andy's thoughts on that one. And we can't forget about the Intermediate winners as well, Desi Geller, who we'll be hearing from him on the programme. So, before we start, congratulations to champions over the weekends. Dunlowe, the Intermediate A winners back into senior football. Huge win for them. Congratulations to St Marius of Convoy, the Intermediate B winners. As we said, Termin are the Ladies senior champions. Well done to the girders from the Burn Road. And we can't forget about the Litties from Bali. Shannon A Rua winning the Intermediate title as well. So congratulations to all those winners who won titles at the weekend. So, if you are joining us across the Northwest, we are of course on air on 103 FM and online at Hiningradio.com, where you can watch this programme as well. We're going out on the social media channels. We're out in YouTube as well. It's all available there online and of course on air. So, let us first of all go to Mr John Gilday, because if you're watching online, you see that he's all decked out in his blue and white. John, good to see you. Hi, everybody. Well, and John, I'll ask you, I'll go straight into it with you, John. And I'll tell you why, because last week you told me that whoever was to come out of the second semi-final would be firm favourites to win the decider this coming weekend. St Yunans, will they say they came through it? Are you still sticking to your guns, are you? I'm even firmer than they were last week. So, you know, looking at the game on Saturday night, I felt they were very impressive. They compounded everything that I've been saying about them all year in the sense that their physicality and their organisation was put to the test and they came through with flying colours. And I know it was at the end of it, it was a tighter game than maybe the actual game itself was for long periods of that game. St Yunans were completely in control. I feel they have all improved and matured both physically and mentally. And they seem to be a team that really know what they're about right now. And I suppose there's two divergence going on right now. You have a new Connell side that's been there for a long number of years that has always been there thereabouts really. Has won a couple of finals, lost a couple of finals. But as a team, as a group of players, the older players are not getting any younger, they're all getting a little bit older. And then you have the St Yunans side that's coming through with a very good age demographic. And they've all played together for an awful long time. They've won a lot of big games, both at colleges and etc. So, you know, everything is in their favour. But in saying that, this time last year, we were having the same conversation, the conversation was in reverse, the blue and white was couldn't be beaten. So we all know in county final days, crazy things can happen. And Dave Connell won't be showing up to make up the numbers. So I'm sure they'll have something up their sleeves, not to make sure that St Yunans don't get it all the wrong way. Yeah, would you agree with what John is saying there, Brendan, from a St Yunans point of view? I've never agreed with jungle DME life. So I'm not going to start now the week of the county final. No, listen, John makes John makes a lot of very valid points there. St Yunans look to be in a good place. They look they were convincing at times, I wouldn't go as far as say, you know, that they were brilliant on Saturday night from the point of view. They opened up a six point lead, and they conceded a bad goal just before halftime. And that's going to be a concern for Rory Cavanaugh, because little things like that can have a big effect on a game. And you could see the pep in the step and Kilkar let's go into the dressing room at halftime and they came out and they put it up. Now this is a very good Kilkar team. But I think Kilkar will have a lot of regrets after Saturday night. There's some brilliant performance, you know, Andrew McLean, Patrick McBriety in particular Kier McGinley, I thought in the middle of the feed, but you know, there was more, I feel there's more in that Kilkar team, and they just didn't deliver it on the night. They came back the drew level with Junans. Now they expended a lot of energy catching up units, catching up a six point lead. But at that stage, you know, showed great composure and John mentioned it, to be able to kind of regroup and gather themselves and go on again. Because essentially this is a very young St. Junans team, particularly up the top of the field. You know, the top eight are really, really young fellas 21 22 most and kind of thing. They've been experienced, they've a lot of experience at the back. But you know, there are areas of concern for St. Junans going into the final. And you know, the no coming up against this Naive Connell team, the six final in a row, they're tough, they're hardened, they know how to win games. And you know, I'm a great admirer of this Naive Connell team. This isn't kind of blowing smoke up them there and thing like that. I'm a really great admirer of this team, the way they grind out results down through the years. So I think Unans will have their work cut out. I think Naive Connell are still smarting after the final last year. And they were hurt by it. They know they didn't turn up. And you know, I think you're going to see a huge, huge effort from Naive Connell. You know, people talk about Naive on strength and depth. I'm looking at the strength and depth that Naive Connell have and this kind of substitutes that they're able to introduce and game changers that they're able to introduce the game. So I think this is a lot closer than people are going to be predicting this week. Okay, then Brandon, Neil McGee delighted to have you in studio. Welcome along. Welcome along to Highland. Good to have you in. I suppose before we start about the county final, we wish one of us your best wishes on your retirement. Thank you very much. Big decision for you after a long, a long time in the intercounty scene. Yeah, it was a big decision, but it wasn't a hard one at the end of the day. You know, so it's done now and move on with life now in a new chapter. Yeah, well, you're starting out now in your media career. I would be the most comfortable here. Come eight o'clock tonight. You'll be fine. So you'll be ready to go. You'll be on the TV in no time. But listen, Neil, before we talk about Unans and Connell, what about Guidor this year? Suffering defeat at the hands of men from Gladys twice this year? He's lost to them. We was disappointed with how the year panned out. We were disappointed. Yeah, but listen, we can have a very kind of topsy-turvy kind of year, you know, Trevor was late coming in and we didn't really get a run at then and boys with injuries and boys went away and, you know, in fairness to Trevor, he'd done the best with the hand he was dealt and, you know, we were competitive thought for the first and prepared that semi like, but I think the legs just caught up with us in the end and Glenty's just overpowered us in the end and listen to the top team like him. They could have been more comfortable with the way in that semi to, you know. Well, listen, there's a lot of quality in Guidor. So there isn't a few guys can get yourselves together next year. He's won't be too far away. Oh, exactly. But listen, the work has to be done now and we didn't have the work done last year. So listen to the boys need to just knuckle down over the one-turn, hopefully. Yeah. What's it like for you now as a neutral, sitting down watching this build up to the county final and John obviously pushing that. So you know, there's going to want it and Brandon's going to be pushed that need Connells going to want it. What's your take on the pairing this year again? I didn't say that. I think there's a lot of similarities now to Austin 19. Like we were coming in raging hot favours that day between us and unions now, but like, you can never write off glanties like even looking through their team there. Like, it's what they've done like have so much respect for them like and like, I would never write them off. Like if Sean Patton was on the glanties team, they'd be hot favourites in my opinion, you know. So that's there's very little in it. Yeah. They've caught up with the hot favourites last year. According to Johnson, unions are hot favourites this year. It's a tagging into a final probably that you don't like, isn't it? It suits glanties to you like you're okay. They can't eat that mentality into them when they're back, when they're backs against the wall and they always come out swinging when they're in that position, you know, so you can see nothing else come Sunday. Yeah. Okay then. John Gilday, it looks like then McGee is punching for a new Connell this coming weekend. What is impressed you this year about new Connell John? Well, I think it's they've been very a bit like unions. They've been very functional in the way they've gone around their business. There's been no highlights. You know, if you look at the big games they had against Gidore last year and Gidore were, you know, a much, much stronger side last year and as I greatly pointed out, they suffered badly from injuries and one thing or another this year. But they had a really, really big game against Kilkar and the county that delayed county final last year. And then they played Gidore and Kilkar again. And we're very impressive in all those games. This year, you know, it's the complete opposite. You know, they've struggled through games. They've got the job done. They've been unimpressive. They haven't blown the lights out. So I think that shows the kind of mentality that the team has that they don't have to be going well to one games. And they don't like against Glenn Swilly and different teams. And really in a county final day, you just need one performance. I know there's an awful lot of work going on behind the scenes. And I think maybe a lot of those area games were, you know, without being too, any way disrespect, I felt anybody, they're feeling would have been, they've gone and would have won them. Comfortably enough. And therefore their eyes were focused firmly ahead into semi-final final because as we thought at the start of the year, it was the big four. Maybe the big four or not, maybe not as strong as they were last year, but the big four were anticipated to go to the semifinals. And I think that's where the real focus from Dave Connell's point of view was. So we've got to a final completely, you know, under the radar. There's no hype about them. It's all about St. Union's this year. I agree with Neil. That's exactly the way you want to go into a final. If you're going in underdogs and with nothing to lose. And I do think that, you know, while I do make St. Union's favours and rightly so, the defending champions and they're playing well within themselves, I would never discount these guys. John, I'm going to totally disagree with you when it comes that these boys are seen as underdogs and there's not that hype about Neil Connell because how can there not be hype about a side that has just got into a sixth senior county decider in a row? And maybe there might have been questions asked on the glenswally performance of the match where they drew. But I don't think they could have been questioned any time after that, John. No, but they have been, they've been continuously questioned in the sense that, you know, the saga when you had with Gidore, the three games and Gidore were defending also champions, that was a big, big test for Neil Connell and they rose to the occasion. And they were probably the three of the best finals I've seen in a row and a long, long time and they came out the right side of it. So I'm not writing them off, but I just think if you look at this objectively, St. Union's with everything, like the bogey that was on Union's back was they had to won a county title. And I was very good until last year's county final because all the talk was with Neve Connell, they'd beaten Gidore, Kalkar, they were on, they were flying, they couldn't be stopped. And people forgot that the two previous years prior to that a very young and experienced St. Union side almost beat Neve Connell twice and only for a punch goal out of Sean Patton's hand that was disputed and the year before, only for Neve Connell had a man sent off and it kind of reinvigorated the side, they were in trouble as well. So the the margin of error between Neve Connell and St. Union's over the years has never been big apart from last year. So and everybody's eyes and I would say if you're being honest about this across the board, if you spoke to maybe 10 people around the county that have been in the GA circles, you're probably seven and we're going to go for St. Union's and that's the way it is to defend county champions. They earned it the hard way. They've come on as a side. They deserve that level of respect. And that's exactly where Neve Connell want them to be. So it's set up what you would think is for a very, very competitive game and maybe an ambush. But I know Rory, you know, has these guys on a very level head headed approach. They seem very composed. They have enough experience at the back. To me, I think they're probably collectively this, you know, the seventh, seventh best defenders nearly in the county when it comes to the thought they're half backline was exceptional at the weekend. The Connell or Donald senior was was immense in the way he was playing the game and he was ticketing and he's physically much bigger, much stronger and seems to be in really really good shape. So if you're a betting man, you would have to go with St. Union's, but county finals are there to be won. How you play before the county final is irrelevant. How you can play after the county final is relevant. It's down to one game. And I know these Lenties lads have a lot of pride and a lot of heart and a lot of really good footballers there. So you can never write them off. Brendan was in at the weekend in Colomba. Defensively, they were very good in the intermediate final. They only conceded 1-8 against, against a low, but up the top end, they just faltered that there was nothing up top, nothing and showing they ended up scoring four points. We expect us to be a really, really tight game. What do you have to do if you're going to break down that defense that John just mentioned that has probably the seven best defenders in the county involved them? They're all top class defenders. I'm saying it all year, you know, and then you're looking at the like secure and Tobin went away for the summer, can't get his place back and who do you drop to get him into the team? You don't drop any of them guys because they're playing too well. And you look at Conor Morrison back in the frame now came on again for 10 or 15 minutes and, you know, he was our number one defender for a number of years until he got that bad injury. So, you know, there's a huge quality there. How do you break them down? You know, we talk about Neil mentioned Sean Patton like his kickouts are a huge conundrum for Martin Regan. How do you manage that? How do you control, you know, where he can put the ball because he can basically land it on a two points piece by the same token. We saw high ball into the square and Saturday evening causing trouble. We've seen it in the past and that if you're looking for a weakness, that's something that Rory Cavanaugh will be looking at this week to tighten up on because, you know, you've big Charlie McGinnis in there. Leo, I would expect to be back in the full forward line. And, you know, I've watched, I know Leo and watch him play an army life as he knows kind of thing. And, you know, he's a huge threat in around that area. He's very smart. He can be so strong. He can win a ball with one hand to turn his man and suddenly he's in a goal. So, you know, there are areas that unions will need to tighten up on. But defensively, each of them defenders are able to mark a man one-on-one. They don't need to double up or triple up on guys. And that's a huge asset to have. Now, listen, you look at the Dave Connell backline and there's not too many slouches in that too. And they've been hugely impressive in particular. You know, Jason Campbell has really impressed me in the full backline. AJ and Kevin do what they do and they always do it and they get up the field for the odd score. Jason Campbell has been very good this year for Dave Connell. But Ethan O'Donnell has been the driving force from the half backline for them. And he brings huge energy. He's able to break lines. He's cutting. Now, you know, there are so many different aspects of this game on Sunday. It's going to be so tight and cagey and probably tactical because neither team will want to give up a lead. And particularly Dave Connell, because we saw what happened last year in the final. Once unions got their nose in front, they were able to push on. And, you know, at that stage, Dave Connell had to come out of their setup, which they weren't comfortable doing. And that left them exposed at the back. So there are so many questions and very builds to this game that you really don't know what's to happen. But you have two top class teams, you have some quality footballers all over the field, like, you know, you really have. And that's what the joy have been able to go to these games is to watch these guys play football because, you know, they're so well organized and the fitness levels are astounding on both sides. And, you know, I don't really see much between it. I do understand that Nate St. Juniors will be going into the finalist favorite. I totally get that. They're champions. They've looked comfortable to date. But there are areas that if Martin Reagan will be looking at this and they think maybe we can get them here kind of. Is Midfield one of those? Midfield is one of them areas. Yeah, because, you know, you've Jack McKelvie and Kieran Thompson in the middle of the park. And as was the question for Rory Cavanaugh is, you know, Darren Mulgrew would normally be the man you would expect to mark the big player in the middle of the park. But Darren Mulgrew had a fairly free role on Saturday evening. And he showed the value that he has to St. Juniors in that respect, both offensively and offensively. So, you know, the likelihood is he will be tagged with Kieran Thompson because Kieran Thompson wonders left foot that, you know, he can kick scores from anywhere. Jack McKelvie will get up and down the field as he suited Sean McGeddigan. I'm not so sure either. So, you know, there are a lot of these questions that need to be answered. Yeah, nearly for a few or something now this week. And you had to put a plan in place to try and one a senior title against either of these sides. What would you be thinking? I think the big thing with Martin Reagan this week is what to do with Sean Patton, like, you know, um, so Sean's the best kicker in the country, in my opinion, like, and, you know, it's the biggest day of the year in the county and he's going to want to show off his, his array of kicks, like, so I think Martin has to take away that mid to long range kicking him and frustrate him, you know, and if he keeps making Sean go short, Sean's going to get straighted, you know, he doesn't get to show off his big boot. And, you know, and there is defenders in that if they can, if he keeps going to a few of them corner backs in unions, there is defenders in that union's teams that, you know, Clint East could set up traps, up the line, you know, and turn the ball over, like, because I think Clint East are treated last year against unions and unions just had the game plan, you know, they had the blueprint to beat them. So, Clint East going to have to bring something a wee bit different this year and maybe press up a bit more and. Does the unions have to bring something different? Will that blueprint work again? Will it? I think unions are a step ahead now, you know, Rory is another year with them, like, you can see, you can see Rory's traits in that team already, like, you know, terms of Rory's a player, like, he was high intensity, very hard running, running off the shoulders, you know, hard tackling, like, you can see that right through that union's team and, you know, he's a year further down the line and you can see that in that union's team. And I suppose the fact too, what he brings to the bench, like, you know, the way the modern games played now, it's all about having a strong squad. Would unions maybe have the age in that too, given the quality that they've been bringing off over the last couple of games? Or bringing on, rather? I don't know, we're looking to, Clint East have a strong bench too, like, we were walking across the pitch there on the reserve game and Kieran Gallar was on the bench, you know, and he was a massive player for a couple of years from him, and he's six foot four, six foot five and he's a mighty presence, you know, whether he gets another couple of weeks training, you know, throw him and him and beside Charlie McGinnis and Edger Square, like, you know, union's going to have to change a bit then, maybe take two big men in to mark them, you know. And are you expecting a low scoring game, Neil? No, I think last year was kind of a cagey game and, you know, Clint East have changed their style and unions have pushed on further. They're a lot more aggressive this year, the two teams. And I think it's going to be it's going to be a better game. It's going to be too hard running teams, very high intensity. So the scores might be a lot of scores, but it's going to be a better game, I think. Goodoran said unions currently have 15 titles each. So if unions were to one, they're going to, they would age ahead of you as Maher Gellman, so they would. Aye, well listen, unions are probably should have a lot more, you know what they picked up, but I think that's 16 titles. There's a few of them around unions, I think that's sorry, did John Harnes show up in the studio again? So we nearly forgot about you there, John, so we did. It's 16. Are you expecting a low scoring game then, John? Just finally. I am. Yeah, I like it's it's if the big key to the game is obviously pattern and I agree with Neil's comment early on of pattern was playing for Dave Connell. Connell, if you get onto this game, he's that important. I actually felt that Kielkeard did quite a good job on him on Saturday night on a number of occasions and then he pulled 270 passes out of his top octet and they kicked two scores from it and so that's what he has in his locker. It's very, very hard. So, you know, give them the ball short and then try to shut them down. But you know, I expect, you know, Neil Connell to defend obviously in numbers as they always do, but even maybe more so and make it very tight. And I do, I do think that we want two surprises of people's sleeves in the sense that I think the way to get at unions as Brendan pointed out is, you know, they're not comfortable under high ball. That, you know, Kielkeard is not naturally a natural fielder of the ball in there. R&D and Conner Park, again, not out and out, you know, big players like, you know, Neil, do we catch a ball and come out with it? So there's a level of vulnerability there. Now, the offset to that is, if you kick enough high ball and you might get a couple of breaks and goals will be terribly crucial, as was proven on Saturday night. Like, to be honest, in the grand scheme of things, the union score was a poor ball. It was bad defending and the Kielkeard goal was a bad goal game per defendant. So you get one or two of those breaks, it'll have a big bearing in the game. But I suppose the way the modern games played is, if you start kicking long ball and you're not wanting it or you're not getting a break or you're not getting a score, then you're just giving the ball back to the opposition to come up and set up their plays. So it's going to be interesting. I expected it to be very physical, high intensity. You can't need to bring that. It hasn't been brought to unions in that way, shape or format. And, you know, if they're there, they're about for 15 minutes to go. That's really when you can put the squeeze on. And then that we would see how good the St. Union's team is at that point in time. But it's, listen, we're back in a final, you know, it was a long time before Gentes voted on to a final. And we've been in a lot of them. So we don't take it for granted. So we'd like to, we'd like to put one more further in the cap before some of these older boys start drawing the pension. Unions and they've kind of met five times in finals, Brendan, up and up until this week. That's what this will be the sixth. Unions currently edge in it, three, two. They've all been tight games. There's, there's nobody going to be shooting out the lights you expected. Maybe a one, two point game on this one this time around or is it going to be something similar to last year? No, I don't think so. I think this will go down to the wire. I think it's going to be really cagey early on. That's John pointed out there. I think, you know, both teams, Nate Connell will get men behind the ball, but, you know, St. Unions are comfortable with that. They, they're so comfortable in possession and playing it over and back and trying to prize an open in the, Nate Connell rear guard. Whereas, you know, taking the ball into contact or getting turned over. We saw Unions on a couple of occasions, defenders coming up and getting turned over. And, you know, against a team like Elkar and particularly, Nate Connell, they'll punish you. They'll bite you for that. So they will. So Unions will be trained and they'll be coached and to hold the ball, hold the ball until the right opportunity arises and then try and maybe break, get through. And, you know, there are some quality forwards. Actually, you know, you look at the two of Donalds and what they can do. Now, they were well-marched on Saturday night. I thought Daniel Lyons did a good job. And is it Brian O'Donnell did a good job on them? But, you know, it's about being patient in situations like that, waiting for the right opening to come along. And, you know, by the same token, if they are turned over, that's where Nate Connell have thrived over the years. That counterattack, that transition, they're so good at and if they can get early ball in there, they could cause Unions some trouble. Unions or Nate Connell? One answer. Oh, I'm going to go for St. Junions, but I think it's going to be very tight. Unions or Nate Connell? Draw. A draw. Good man, Nate. Draw. So it's going to happen an extra time. Hang on there, John. Hang on a minute, John. We're waiting on Nate here. So we're going to have a draw. Then we're going to have an extra time and it's going to be a replay, is it? Penalties. It can't be penalties on Sunday. Draw after exiting. Draw after exiting. You see, Neal has stepped into the old media role so well that he's already got comfortable sitting on the fence. I'll take it you're sticking with Unions as well. Nothing's changed, John. You're sticking with Unions anyway. No, no, no. I'm out of loyalty and everything else. I'm going for a Nate Connell one because otherwise I wouldn't be able to go home. You know, all things been equal. This is one of those games nine times out of ten that St. Junions won. But as Brendan Royal knows in past rivalries, sometimes the games you're not supposed to ones are the ones that are most satisfying if you do turn them over. So I still think that there's one final bite in this team and I'm hoping it's in Sunday. We don't get the short answer from John anyway. OK, we'll wait and see. Listen to me, man. Brendan, you've played against Neal, haven't you? I have, yeah. Long time ago. John, have you played against Neal? I think I had the imprint of his right hand somewhere on my body. From I think it was a league fan, a long time, isn't it? I'll see you remember. He remembers it as well. Listen, Neal announced his undercounty retirement guys last week, so he did after 195 appearances. We're going to talk him up now and he's not going to like it. So he's not. But Brendan, a phenomenal career to say the least in the fallback, the fallback role in the Donegal jersey outstanding. Oh, an iconic figure for Donegal and will remain so for the history of Donegal football. And, you know, I think a fullbacks down through the years. And I have to go back to Darren Fay. He was fullback for me way back, Longo, who was another fullback that I thought was very good. But no one comes near Neal beyond that kind of thing. And, you know, he's just been phenomenal. I used to love going up, watching games behind the goals up in Vallebo Fay because you could get right close to where he was playing and you could see a lot of what was going on. And it was great value. But he gave so much to Donegal football down through the years. It's been fantastic to watch him. And you think like I remember watching them in 2012 and we'll say Carol at six and Neal at three. And, you know, that some that a brilliant understanding that if Carol went Neal set and vice versa, if Neal was going Carol set, and it was just a pleasure to watch him down through the years. He was tough as nails. And, you know, they talk about the full forward unit of Irlander on celebratory mode since Neal announces retirement because they don't have to come up against him again. And, you know, it was just brilliant. It was an honor to be able to watch him and pleasure to watch him down through the years. You met your decision last week, Neal. Has how's it sitting with, you know, today? Ah, good. I listen, I've got a lot of nice masters over the weekend and a lot of people calling, you know, it's a bit overwhelming there all weekend, you know, but, you know, listen, I'm ready to move on now. Like, it was an easy decision. Like, like when you see David Clifford and all that and fine. No, I'm very happy with decision now and ready to move on. Yeah, are you the kind of guy that looks back at highlights in your career? Are you one of these driven people that goes right? That's done on to the next thing. Funny is, it's the losses you look back in more like, and I suppose the boys will be able to back me up here. It's not the finals you want. It's the finals you lose. And I was sat in the Frank last week and. That we barely think about the 12th final, but the 14th final. It's a sticker, is it? Yes. Nearly every day, you think about it, you know. Yeah. Well, you've got the All Ireland, the 2012 and you had five Ulster titles as well. When you were starting out, did you think you'd have so many winners medals? Now, you started out, what year was it? You made your debbie against Ferman. I know. Made my championship debut in 06. 06, 06, yeah. So, but in fairness, we we got the Ulster final that year. And then the following year, we we'd a good run and we won the division one league and we thought that was massive at the time. You know, we were all young fellas and we were very naive and, you know, we were in cloud nine and then we got a sting in the championship, you know, and we didn't really push on from that then until Jim Kimman, obviously. When that happened, when Jim Kimman to take over the seniors after having success at under 21 level, they told you that you were going to win in all Ireland within four years. Now, you your group that you were involved with before Jim Kimman used were coming off the back of a really, really bad year. What was your initial thoughts when Jim McGinnis told you stuff like that, Neil? I think whenever he told us, we believed him, like, you know, and as soon as we left that meeting, we could down to work. There was no messing about. We just worked, worked, worked every day then. So like, I remember that winter was like it was very frosty that winter and there was snow. I remember coming in the hull and there were a pat in the back area there and cars stopping and us, we had to get out to training and like we were going to do anything to get out. And that's the mentality we had, like just to get there. Like, so remember going out with Adrian Hanlon and the weather was atrocious that winter and we didn't miss a session. Like, you know, we're out and we're out and done fan in the dunes and it was enjoyable now when you think about it. Yeah, you like running on the dunes because you've been down around the dunes in Ghidorah as well. And there was times when people were at their leisure in life, you had to, you were working hard to you or making sure you were fit. I always like to get, you know, I always like to do a bit of training my own like, you know, because that's how he gives you that wee edge. You know, nobody else knows what you're at like, but the last few years everybody's at that level now. So there's not really to hide. Yeah, you have to be up there if you're going to compete. Oh, you have to be like, and I suppose that's the one thing now that the county need to get the manager started because they need to get down to work. Now you're SAP like just to get to get going for the winter. Yeah. So then the highlights, obviously, I take it the All Ireland in 2012. What was it like for for you that week, that morning of an All Ireland final and heading on to play Mayo and Croke Park now and listen, we're on the we're on the verge of history here. So it is. We've got one more game to do this. Funny enough, we were so relaxed that day and like we're full. Sure, we were going to one. I don't know why it's just jam, jam out away. Just, you know, he was he was he was like a psychologist, but he wasn't actually talk, but he had his way of getting this point across over the week like and we were totally relaxed and we I was full. Sure, we were going to one on the way that day. But it's surprising in any way how relaxed you were. Or was that just the case? It was every game. You took every game as it was in every game through that year. There was a relaxed environment to Jim and Rory had us in such fine tune that year and we had the work done and everything just happened so seamlessly for us. And I would we'd master momentum that day that year and the fans got behind us and we we we took a lot of energy from that too. Was there any difference in 14 on the day of the game to 2012? We's we's as relaxed that day or was there anything different? Could you feel? We probably weren't as relaxed. No, I remember we had a training camp the week before that, you know, and I just didn't run as smoothly. You know, we're trying to rush. We're trying to force things. We've got too much, you know. We maybe can I think we went must have trained for about six days or over it like and you know, we couldn't get we couldn't get the energy levels up to the same level as the where against Dublin and probably use a lot of energy against Dublin. And then we we came a bit flat then for the final. But listen to final. Like the first goal with a block shot that dropped short to Paul Guine and then the second goal. Obviously, it was just a mistake. So it's a lesson of columns. Ball had run on the net after post at the very end. You would have had another day and it could have been a economy. But that's that's all on that Dublin game. Some will say that that was a better day even though it only got one in all Ireland in 2012. There was something very, very special about that semi-final. So there was. Yeah. I remember that day. I actually got a black card that day. Black cards in back in 14. Yeah. But so what's your your standout points? Now, obviously, they all aren't as we said. What what do you remember about your career? Obviously, you've got a lot of stuff in your head about your career. We're 17, but a lot of stuff in your head. But, you know, what you enjoyed most was when you're in good shape and you're training. Well, you're up test yourself against the best players that we need to train. That's what I like. I love going training. Once I was in good shape, I came back a lot of years in bad shape. So but, you know, you'd be going up against Murphy every night or Patrick or Oshin Gallin or Jimmy Brown as last few years. And I used to just to love going training every night knowing that I was going to be up against them that night. And it was a real challenge. And that's probably what kept me going like that there more so than the games itself. You're good friends with Michael Murphy. That that grips very, very tight. And obviously, you love going up against each other and training. What's it like going up against Michael Murphy when it comes into a club game, to a championship game when my big of doors going up against Glenn Shulley. And you know that you know that Michael they're going to go at it. I listened. We were well used to each other. People call me thick, but he's just on the pitch. You know, so we always have a few week classes there, you know, but now we're well used to it. Oh, there could be a few more coming on. He'd be one of the toughest that you've marked. Oh, definitely. And it's probably a lot of familiarity with him, too. Like, and Patrick, I've posed a different challenge to him. You know, it's it's marking them boys around eight that keep improving you. Outside of the Dunnegaw players that you've marked on training and in club games, who were the forwards that you really enjoyed marking? Enjoyed, I don't know. Did you enjoy any of it? Ah, listen, when I first came on to the scene in round 0-5, 0-6, like that era there, the full forwards at that time. You know, you had Steven O'Neill and Tarone Mugsy, you had Clark and McDonald, you know, you'd make a meeting in Galway, you had the Brogans or Donahue and things like that. So all the different challenges around that time. And you kind of learned your trade the hard way at that time, you know. Yeah. And the full back role evolved as well from back then to what it is now, didn't you? You're getting up the pitch a lot more now. You just have to evolve with the game, like, you know, around that time it was just about doing your job and you wouldn't even think about getting a short kick out now. But if you're not moving for a short kick out now, the manager's going to be bollocking you, like, you know, so you can't have to move with it, like, you can't stay in the pass. Yeah. What advice or what was, if there's only one thing that somebody, some manager or some other player said to you, sticks in your head from your time at under county football? I suppose keep at it as long as you can, you'll be retired long enough. And nothing really sticks out to the manager, like, but no, you get all the different wee snippets. Like, you take a member, J.J., took a lot of advice from him the time he was in. Like, a lot of stuff stood to me, you know, in terms of his values as a defender and as a player. Like, I kind of took a lot and carried them values with me throughout my career. Yeah. Who was your role model when you were younger? Who was it you looked up to? Eamon, was it? I suppose the latter years I kind of looked up to Kevin, like, you know, he was a massive influence early on the likes of me and Eamon, like, so we kind of looked up to him and when I was younger, I used to love watching them made teams, like, you know, I tell them. Yeah. So then, what's next? What's going to happen now with Neil McGee football? No more counter-county football. You're going to get stuck in thick with the club now for another few years and... Ah, yeah, played with the club, I think, over the couple of years anyway, you get a good run in it and then what it brings down the lane I'm not sure, like, whether they're going to coaching or, you know, it's all right, you learn all these things, but, you know, getting your point across and the coaching pitch are different, you know, you kind of have to learn your trade from the bottom there again, you know, so maybe I'll start back with the club at the underage and... They'll be delighted to hear that, that Neil's coming in. Have you done any coaching up until now? No, not really, no. You know, trying to get your point across and trying to simplify things, a different thing, you know, you kind of learned over the... some coaches down over the years try to complicate things too much, you know. So, going to be a bit different from you and Eamon trying to get your point across on the pitch then, because I used to be fascinated by watching the two of them. He did a fair bit of coaching on the pitch. But I came to championship games and... I don't think that would work with young players. And I would say that was a highlight for you, too, doing so much with your brother. Exactly. He's worked very, very well, extremely well. You were a vital cog in the whole thing. Ah, yeah, listen, we've been playing since... I started playing Senior 0-2 and he was there from, I think, nod-nod, like, you know, so... I think someone said he played 22. This was a set 22nd year playing Senior Championship this year. It was phenomenal, yeah. We can't forget about Peter, either, because you played... Well, he won the... he got a winner's medal, too. They sent a field for the reserves. We can't forget about Peter. The next time I made him out, it would be... One of the two brothers there was extra special, like, you know, it was a really proud day for Mum and Dad and all that, too. Would you like to get another one, then, with the two boys? Well, Peter's playing reserve now, but would you like to get another club medal on the door before the club thing comes to an end for you? Ah, of course, like, and it's probably... No more than unions. We probably under-achieved a wee bit. We didn't get enough championship medals over the years. And, you know, I have three, but some of the teams I played in probably should have had another three, at least, you know, so, but listen, that's more regrets, too. Yeah, I would love to talk to Brendan Davinian. I'm sure we'll get the story, because you marked Brendan in the county final one year. Two county final. Well, I think you were a minor with you. Was that right? Just out of minor when you marked him the first time? Out of 16. Out of 16, Si. Out of five, too, yeah. Yeah, and I didn't have a good day that day, did I? Oh, six, yeah. I'm not going to say that about Davy. Davy's my buddy. Not on air. Not on his show. I'll tell you, when he comes back, he'll be looking to speak to you, so he won't let me be looking to take you in. But listen, many thanks for coming, Andy. It's been a pleasure having you in here and joining us in the studio tonight. And from everybody that has watched Gaelic football and was an avid fan of Donegal, we just say thank you for what you've done for Donegal football and how you made it so entertaining and pleasurable for all of us sitting on the sidelines and all of us up in commentary positions, too, Brendan. Absolutely. As I said, it was just a terrible, enjoyable experience. I'm leaving out 0-2 and 0-6 out of this now, but from then on, it was a terrible, enjoyable experience watching Neil play. Yeah, it was indeed. We wish you all the best for everything you do next week. OK, Neil McGee and Brendan Kilcoin. Thanks for joining us. We'll check in to see if John Gilday is still there before we go. Johnny, are you still there? I was just going to say something before Neil drifted off there. It was amazing that Neil was recognised as the best fallback of his generation in the country, which is an amazing thing to say, but was the second best footballer in his own house. Self-proclaimed? Self-proclaimed, according to Big Eamon, but no, just to reiterate, it's been an amazing career for Neil, to have that success, but also to be marking the best of the best over such a long time and coming out on top on a lot of those occasions. Like everybody else said, it was a pleasure to go to those games and it was a pleasure to watch that team in general, but Neil was one of the fun aspects of the game. I can remember a particularly game down in Kerry that there was a number of shenanigans going on and stuff like that. So it was always entertaining. Sometimes off the ball was more entertaining than what was happening on the ball and some of those games. You wouldn't have been involved in a shenanigan game if you hadn't been involved. You wouldn't have been involved in a shenanigan's Neil, would you? No. Well, we'll leave it on that point. Listen, John Gilday, thanks for joining us and wish you the best of luck in the final this coming weekend. We'll be talking again before Sunday. Thanks, John. Thanks, Ben. Once again, Brennan Kilcoin and Neil McGee. Enjoy the final of the weekend. Thanks for coming into studio. So that's our preview of our senior championship decider and to talk to Neil McGee. Still to come on the programme, he is the Downing's man that's in charge of a tournament team that won a senior title on the ladies' front yesterday. But before that, let's break away to the Intermediate Football Championship. Dan Lowe back to the senior ranks. They got their hands on the intermediate title on Saturday afternoon with victory over Neve Columba. It finished 1-8 to four points in favour of last year's beaten finalists who were away from the senior ranks for two years. The goal coming from Darren Cornwall here from him in a second, but first up to Dan Lowe, let's talk with Tom Comac. There's the First of World Congratulations. Obviously, that's a great feeling. Tom was unbelievable. When we took over our K&M was to get back to senior championship and these young lads really bought into what we were doing. It's just a joy today to be out there leading them. They do most of the work. We kind of just set it up for them but they're a great bunch of young fellas and it's just unbelievable for our club. Since we won our last championship and you were on the team, Tom and wisely John Swinney and John Connors and Bata and Mwise Miles they really pushed on our senior team and we got into senior championship semi-finals and hopefully these boys can do the same. Obviously, it makes up for the huge disappointment that you said out of last year. Yeah, look, I... A lot was made at last year but look at Tom, it was our first year. These boys hadn't won a game and remember the first league game up in Glenna and they were nearly crying on the pitch after winning but look at how after last year they knuckled down in a big winter and they said they weren't going to get beat again if they got there and in fairness today they were just brilliant. Came out well and started well, kicked four quick points or four points in the first quarter. Yeah, look, we did that the last day and we didn't get... We didn't finish it out to halftime but today we kicked two more, you know, after they kicked one, we kicked two more then before halftime and that was one of the things we spoke about that we would finish out to halftrong and look at, we had a wee bit of defend to do in the second half, we knew Glenna were going to come at us but the boys pushed on in the last ten and got the goal and then a couple of points and look at, we were delighted. It was comfortable in the end but obviously you had to work for us. Yeah, look, I was only the kick of a ball and it was 6-3, I think, you know and then look at, once we got the goal that settled us down, we had the game when Glenna's head went down you could physically see it on the field it was at the right time of the game, you know so look at, that's what we kind of work on that we try to get goals at times if the opening comes and the opening came and all she finished is great. So obviously the desire is to get back to senior football, many people will say you're better prepared now this year to go back than you were maybe this time last year. Yeah, look, you can even see the way we played today it was more controlled, like last year we were rushing everything and we weren't, you know this year that they matured a wee bit you must remember they're only young lads and look at, they needed that year to mature and hopefully looking physically they're stronger as well obviously they're on a string of conditioning Yeah, look, they do it all, most of that themselves you know, running puts a program in for them and they do it and in fairness, Tom they don't leave our pitch and they don't leave the gym and you know, that's just shows today on it, you know, so Personally, a proud day for you too your son Dara picked off Man of the Match Ah, very proud day, you know we took him off there, we tend to go ahead and fairness to Dara forwards, Tom they worked her socks off and you could see that because the three men that were dying on their feet the three fold forward line, you know, that started so look at how, it's a great for Dara, it's a great accolade but Dara is a real team player and you know, that's the way they all are so that's great for him to get it and look at Tom, I'm just delighted for the club I have a confession to make I haven't looked at who you're going to play also someone said, it's the Anthem champions look forward to that now Look at forward to that, I met Jack Scali and Michael Connolly out there and they're in that championship so they're hoping to play us the first round of Ulster would be great it would be great for our club to play in Ulster Tom I don't think we've ever done it I don't think it was there in any section it would be great for us, it's great for the young kids and the supporters to go home tonight it would be brilliant Well Dara, first of all, congratulations how does that feel? It's amazing, it's immense we put in two solid years since we came down from senior we were out in this field two years ago and we as a group, a group of players that were unlucky enough to get done low relegated and we were going to be the team to get them back up on the senior and that's what we did today so it's a joy to be a part of it and you were all very young lads at the time and that really hurt, did it? Yeah, because you have a group of lads there coming in probably at an average age of 20 or 21 and playing intermediate or playing junior you want to be winning games but you want to be fighting with the big dogs at the top of the thing really you want to be playing in senior championship the team of Lousford So today obviously the championship run you really weren't tested really, were you? No, listen Glenn we knew what Glenn were going to bring to the game Glenn have got goals in games they've had big scores we knew that we had to nullify all their attacking threats throughout the 60-65 minutes and by any means we had to do it we knew that if we were to slip up for one or two minutes Glenn would slip in the back post and that would change the game so we had to ensure that we were on top of our game for the whole 60-65 minutes And you had to leave the door as you are for them even at halftime for one Yeah, well we were probably we were playing against a strong brie so we were probably quite content going in at halftime and we knew that Glenn weren't going to lie down at any stage of the game regardless of the first minute so we had to ensure that we were on top of our game the whole way through to get the first score Yeah, probably seven or eight minutes before the first score of the second half although there was no score we felt that we were probably on top for that period and then the goal probably settled things down a wee bit then Yeah, and obviously you got the goal as well talked to us about a good move a ball in from Arndt I think it was and well won inside Yeah, and Sean won it inside and to be honest it's something we've been working on it's nice to have anything you work on in training it's coming through onto the field so it's something we have been working on so I'm glad it came off and it just so happened that I was at the end of it The DL debate with Sister Sarah's Ladder Kenny serving food you'll love till 9pm daily in Sarah's kitchen and there's free admission entertainment every weekend There you go that was Darren Corny before that Desi Galle congratulations to everybody in Dunlopac and senior football and intermediate champions I'm sure they're still partying on in Dunlopac on this Monday evening St Nalls maintained their senior status with victory over Bundoran in the relegation playoff yesterday Stephen Griffin was their star man there the defeat means Bundoran are now dropping down to intermediate football for 2023 and there was a school game played today under 16A football county final here in Dunlopac and it ended up in victory for Abbey Vocational School they defeated St Unions was the final score there on the ladies front Eru Balai Shannon won the intermediate title yesterday in the first of the games of the double header which was played at the O'Donnell park that a comfortable 6-9 to 1-4 victory over Ardra Catch Gillespie was the star of the show there for the Balai Shannon side she scored 2-4 as they lifted the intermediate title and the senior title was won in dramatic fashion by Terman at the end of extra time it was all level 11-14 and 25m freeze was required to decide who was going to be crowned senior champions at a dramatic day an historic day and it was Terman that came through 5-3 to lift the title and we're going to end our show talking about that fixture I'm delighted to say joining me in studio is the Terman manager Andy Connors Andy you're welcome to the studio Good man Arsham, thanks for having me What was the heart yesterday when a Kim as far as 25m free kicks It wasn't great now to tell you the truth we weren't sure what was going to happen I said to the linesman maybe after the first half of extra time what happens if this goes to a draw as a penalties or what's the story and he says no, he says 25m freeze I thought for God's sake penalties would be bad enough but the freeze is probably even worse so then it was just a case of hopefully get to then pick the five girls then to step up Before we talk about that second period of extra time we'll just stick on the 25m freeze would you agree with penalties or 25m freeze in Gillick football Me personally, I don't agree with it and I think all the solutions should be found but this is something you've experienced it now and yes you had the joy of winning it but should it be in Gillick football I don't know, as I said to Shemi before it was actually started it was a terrible way to end the game I said I think it should have went to a replay because the fact that we had a three week break till we played again but then I turned around and then at the same time I said it would be somewhere to win a championship too so it's a flip of a coin we get the best of it I suppose by winning and if you were in Glen funds position you'd be heartbroken but I suppose somebody has to win when they had decided that we knew coming into the game had to be on the day so I wasn't sure what it was going to be but then when the linesman said 25m freeze you ever seen as underdogs going into the grips do you see it that way? definitely not it kind of helped us in fairness to the underdogs because like last year we came into the final last year after being hammered I suppose the year before that 2020 in Balboffay the girls were hammered that day by 15 or 16 points so we knew the following year we had a bit of work to do to rectify that situation and we went in in Lifford probably more as underdogs that day and we felt we left it behind us we should have won the game in normal time and then it went extra time the same as yesterday and unfortunately we lost by two points in the end but coming into yesterday we definitely as a group we didn't feel we were going to be underdogs anyway we were happy to see everyone predicting that Glen fund were going to win and stuff like that you know what did you say to them at half time and extra time three points down you know you were up against it what did you say to the girls we were three points down we were kind of annoyed at the way we played because we kicked a lot of ball away and stuff we got there but the girls themselves said we'll just go for it we've nothing to lose we pushed up basically on their kick out and stuff we got there and didn't have anybody back as such as we had we had people covering back in front of Karen and Yvonne and that second period of extra time we just let's go forward the girls I think it was Geraldine or Russian she says if we lose by ten points we'll lose by ten but it's the same as losing by threes well let's just go and see what happens I suppose we have to mention Geraldine McLaughlin yes Geraldine does get all the plaudits and deservely so and yes it has a team performance as well but when you're firing over 11 points of your size 14 they're keeping you in touch so she is she's unbelievable in fairness as you say they can't give enough plaudits for how good she is but she has to get the ball to do that there so it's important to recognize the girls in the pitch as well because as Geraldine would know herself she can't do it on her own so the girls are working extra hard out the field try to get the ball into her and we know once we get it into her she will hopefully do the business which she has done on numerous occasions now and they all had to keep their nerve in the 25 meter spot kick so that's a pressure environment it definitely is but in fairness we were confident in the five girls that we had picked we were here five kickers again Russian McAfrey was first William was second Jordan McFadden was fourth and then Keir McGarvey was the fifth one so unfortunately for them they missed I think it was their second so they kind of put us in the driving seat then so as a case of hold your nerve and as I said we were confident that the girls would do the business Up next Ulster in what three weeks time is it? Three weeks time now we play the Cavan Champions Lurgan at home so that's a good bonus as well to have a home game and then hopefully if you go over the line you'll get a home game then in the semi-finals as well Have you been thinking about Ulster today? Can you give it a good crack Yanda? You would hope so, we weren't really thinking Pascal and Finn yesterday in fairness but once the game is over then your focus can switch to where you go next or who you play next like that was all the talk after Sunday night to who we played next and the fact that we had a home game it was great for the people down there because you don't realise how important winning county titles is to get there to the community and to the people themselves was massive like for older ones coming up and congratulations and thanks for winning the title and stuff to get there so you've seen what it meant to them Thanks for coming in tonight and many congratulations on your championship one yesterday Yanda, we appreciate you calling in Thanks very much, good man, cheers Good to see you, there you go that's Andy Connors manager of the Victoria's tournament team that won the Donny Gaul senior title yesterday on 25m for the first time ever the title was decided in that format, that's it from the DL debate for tonight, many thanks to Andy and the other guests, Brendan Kilcoin John Gilday and of course then McGee as well the news is up next today at a clock followed by Monday night sessions enjoy the rest of your Monday evening, thanks for listening