"We never, ever give up!" - Glenullin goal hero Neill McNicholl
McFeely Group Intermediate Football championship Final
FOR the second successive year the Sheridan, Bateson and Lee Cup is sitting in Glenullin after another dramatic final involving the lads from the Glen.
When the midfield duo of Traglach Bradley and Neill McNicholl raised the cup, an air of shock was still filling the Derry air - “how did they win that?” was the question everyone had on their lips. The answer simply, this side never give up.
“I just fired something at it,” is how Neill McNicholl described the goal that levelled the game with the last action of normal time to send the game into extra-time and break the hearts of the Banagher players, management and supporters.
“We never count ourselves out of a game,” he added. “I think back to last year against Drumsurn we just kept clawing it back. Today, down five points and we didn’t look like coming back at all but we just never ever give up and found a way and we work so hard for each other.”
Banagher were the better side for long periods but Paddy Bradley's side hung in there giving themselves every opportunity to rescue it. Trailing by four going into added time they found a way and in extra-time never looked back.
“Everybody writes us off but that’s what makes this team so good. We never know when we are beat, always keep going and going. Down four points with about two minutes left and we still found a way to come back.
“We are very lucky to have a man like ‘Skinner’ on the team, when the pressure is on, who better to hit a penalty then ‘Skinner’ Eoin Bradley."
That penalty was the ideal start to extra time, giving them a huge boost and a lead in the game for the first time. Now it is onto Ulster and the meeting with Glenravel, one McNicholl is very much looking forward too just like his students he teaches.
“We didn’t think of Ulster at all but after last year against Galbally, a super super team, we have a wrong to right and no one better to do it against then Glenravel. I am a teacher in St Louis Ballymena, the weans are still reminding me about Glenravel so I am looking forward to it and I am sure they will too”
The Eagle on the back of the jersey represents the Glen - land of the Eagle or Eagle’s Glen. No doubt Glenullin are flying high - back to back intermediate titles - a first in Derry by any club for over 20 years.