The best side of the GAA.
It’s a good time to be a Derry man and it’s a brilliant time to meet Emmett McGuckin in the car park after a game.
The county is riding high again, there’s a buzz in the air and Tony Scullion and Damian Barton don’t care who knows it, they’re happy.
Successive wins over Louth, Meath, and Cavan have relegated the loss to Tyrone in May to distant memories and the Oak Leafers sit one game from the All-Ireland quarter finals now – an offer they haven’t taken up since 2007.
It’s been a long time coming, the feel good factor on the north coast – but, you better believe it, it’s here again.
Sometimes, a summer in Ireland is a summer well spent
(Pic via @sportsfile) #Derry #GAA pic.twitter.com/lFgR3fYe0c— Conán Doherty (@ConanDoherty) July 16, 2016
After yet another stunning second half comeback, Derry survived an acid test in Breffni Park to see off Cavan 1-17 to 0-18. A fisted goal – a thumped goal of pure power and accuracy – from Emmett McGuckin proved crucial in the end as Barton’s men booked their place in round four of the qualifiers and extended the summer.
But whilst the full forward is all-action and no-nonsense on the pitch, he is a perfect role model off the field.
After the game, the Magherafelt club man took time with a young Derry supporter named Kevin who was not only just chuffed to meet one of his heroes, but he went away with the player’s jersey too.
This is what summers in Ireland are all about.
This is what the GAA is all about.
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