Carlow chairman enjoying being a 'lucky charm' for his teams
Carlow GAA chairman John McDonald on the Croke Park pitch with captain Mikey Bambrick, Peter McConnon (Operations Manager),and Paddy McDonnell Photo: Pat Ahern
Carlow County Board Chairman, John McDonald, was only elected at the end of the year County Convention. At this stage he could well be considered a lucky appointment. His club, The Fighting Cocks, made it to the Leinster Junior Football Championship final and now Carlow have won a national league final in Croke Park.
“Three months in the job. It is great to have a national title. Not the first one. Maybe the first one in Croke Park. I know we won promotion in 2018 but we didn’t win the final,” he recalled.
“It is a great day for all the clubs. Things are looking up. This is very positive and we look forward to Wicklow (the Leinster Championship) in two weeks’ time,” McDonald said.
Like all Carlow followers, the Chairman had to roll with the punches in Croke Park as Longford hung on and refused to concede defeat.
“It was hard on the heart. Longford drew level and when the hooter came for full-time, it was very disappointing for everyone. It was a great way to win it in extra-time. We lost two three point leads but the lads showed great character and spirit. They all stayed working even though they were tired and out on their feet. They stayed going. Thankfully we got over the line,” the high ranking official pointed out.
With the game going to extra time and Carlow folk not leaving the ground until nearly eight o clock in the evening, there was little time to prepare a formal home coming.
Yet there was a big crowd of supporters, family members, friends and many more curious onlookers who created a great atmosphere outside the Town Hall. McDonald promised the players and the management team would be honoured in a more formal manner on a later date.
“I know it is a bit rushed. We had looked at doing something but we didn’t want to create expectation until we had the result. We knew it would be nearer 10.30pm when the team got back but with young children and not knowing whether it was going to be raining or not, but we will honour this achievement,” he promised.
“I know the players are back into training straightway for championship in two weeks’ time. We will do something at a later day,” the County Board Chairman repeated.
