Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DONEGAL HERO HEGARTY LEADS KILCAR CHARGE: I never thought I’d be back on this stage
WHEN he retired from intercounty football in 2012 – six months before his Donegal team-mates went on to win the All-ireland – Michael Hegarty thought the party was over.
After years toiling away in the green and gold, he reckoned the prized Ulster final-winning breakthrough in 2011 was as good as it was going to get for him and hung up his boots.
Little did he know what was to follow for Donegal and while his timing was unfortunate to say the least, he’s now enjoying a whole new lease of life.
Newly crowned Donegal champions after a 24-year absence, Kilcar take on defending Ulster club champions Slaughtneil tonight in a semi-final showdown in Omagh (6.30).
Kilcar and 38-year-old Hegarty aren’t without hope, after stunning favourites Scotstown in the Ulster club quarter-final two weeks ago, storming to a 1-16 to 1-6 win at Clones.
“The last time I’d played there was the Ulster final in 2011,” smiled Hegarty.
“I played well that day and have some great memories, but to be honest I thought I would never be back in Clones.
“It was just great to be back there, especially to be there with your club, with all your mates, running out there on the pitch and looking up and seeing Kilcar people all around you.
“To be fair to our supporters, they have followed us through the good and bad.
“They are great supporters, but more importantly at the end of the day they are your own people.”
Donegal teams have a terrible record in the Ulster club Championship.
St Josephs, an amalgamation of Ballyshannon and Bundoran, were the last team to win it in 1975.
Kilcar, backboned by the Mchughs, midfielder Ciaran Mcginley and skipper Paddy Mcbrearty who nailed 0-8 against Scotstown, appear to have the quality.
Slaughtneil boss Mickey Moran managed Donegal in 2001 and 2002 when Hegarty was a young, emerging play-maker pulling the strings for club and county.
Hegarty said: “I had the pleasure of playing under him 15 years ago and he is a superb man, a superb coach too.
“It is some credit to him to see the work that he has done with Slaughtneil.
“They come from a small place like ourselves. We are playing the best now. And at the moment we are enjoying it,” added Hegarty.