Donegal manager played influential role in Naomh Máirtín getting over the line as Wee champions for the first time – and for their title defence
Donegal manager Jim McGuinness (right) and Louth manager Ger Brennan shake hands after their 2024 All-Ireland SFC quarter-final at Croke Park. Photo: Ben McShane/Sportsfile
The request to drive back to Louth from Clare for club training wasn’t what Craig Lynch wanted to hear when he got the call during a short holiday break in 2020. Naomh Máirtín were having a session on Tuesday and he was told that he needed to be there. But he was in west Clare for a few days with his wife availing of an easing of Covid restrictions. The club remained insistent that he return a day early to Monasterboice.
There was no reason offered other than it was absolutely necessary that he be there. What could be that important? For the previous two years his club had made it to the county final and lost both times. Fergal Reel had taken over as manager and, despite the pandemic interruption, they had their sights on winning a first senior title. Lynch, the county goalkeeper, understood how much that goal meant as much as anyone.