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Inishowen in grip of GAA fever
17.09.14
INISHOWEN is well and
truly in the grip of GAA fever as the clock ticks
down to the minor and senior double-header between
Donegal and Kerry at Croke Park this Sunday.
Flags are flying, bunting is billowing and special
songs have been written as the men, women and
children of the county cheer on their top
footballers. |
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Out on bale...This quirky supporter
has been amusing Inishowen GAA fans. |
Again it would seem the
pundits are writing off a win for the Donegal
seniors in favour of a narrow victory by the Kingdom
on September 21.
Kerry legend Darragh Ó Sé says the enthusiasm has
been slow to build in his own county.
"In Kerry this week, it feels a bit unusual to be
building up to an All-Ireland final. I think it’s
because nobody really expected this, so people have
been slow to really embrace the whole thing.
"It might sound a bit strange but I do think that
people are nearly holding fire for now, as if
they’re not convinced just yet that this Kerry team
is any good," he writes in today's 'Irish Times'. |
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A painter puts the green and yellow
finishing touches to Susie's Bar, Moville, ahead of
the historic Croke Park double-header between
Donegal and Kerry in the senior and minor
All-Ireland finals this Sunday, September 21. |
By contrast, he says
Jim McGuinness' men will "fly" thanks to the support
of their fans.
"Sunday is fascinating in so many ways. Even the
fact that it’s a double header with both counties in
the minor and senior games is going to make it
different to other All-Ireland finals. Donegal feed
off their support so much, they jump on the wings of
it and get flying because of it."
Nevertheless, Ó Sé still sees a win for the Kingdom
on the big day. "My feeling on Sunday is that Kerry
will win by four or five points. I think they have
more of a scoring threat and won’t get caught cold
and give away goals like Dublin did." |
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O'Flaherty's Bar gets Buncrana in the
spirit of things. |
Meanwhile, GAA clubs
around the peninsula have been getting behind the
teams and in particular their homegrown players and
backroom support.
Buncrana GAA said: "The club wishes to congratulate
and wish all the best to Darach O’Connor, Caolan
McGonigle and John Campbell who are representing the
club on the pitch and also wish good luck to Sean
Noonan, Dave McLaughlin, Ronan Doherty X (minor
backroom) and Paul McGonigle (who is Jim’s right
hand man!). |
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Kealey's Bar in Greencastle can't
'bear' the wait until All-Ireland Sunday. |
"It’s really great to
see such a big representation from our wee club, a
very proud day for all of us."
Malin GAA said: "Excitement is building by the day
as we edge closer to the final of both senior and
minor football championships...and with our club
represented in both panels, it's another landmark
day in the history of Malin GAA.
"We would urge all supporters who are travelling
over the weekend to take care on the roads and make
a special effort to get to Croke Park early to
sample the atmosphere and to give the minor squad
the support they so richly deserve." |
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Yellow and Greencastle...The fishing
village flies the flag for the Donegal senior and
minor footballers ahead of the Croke Park showdown. |
Scoil Íosagáin pen
special song
SCOIL Íosagáin in Buncrana has invited Donegal
supporters to visit the school tomorrow, Thursday,
at 1.30pm for the launch of its special supporters'
song: 'All the Way with Donegal'.
The song was specially-written to celebrate the
participation of the school's past pupils Darach
O'Connor and Caolan McGonagle in the senior and
minor finals.
The lively song was written by Patrica Doherty
Tinney and Sinead McLaughlin and is delivered
beautifully by the children.
Listen to it here:
www.facebook.com |
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