It’s no minor miracle for us insists Danny the champion
UNDERAGE SUCCESS HAS FINALLY PUT DERRY’S FINEST ON THE BIGGEST STAGE
TOMORROW is Glen’s date with All-ireland destiny and a showdown with Dublin giants Kilmacud Crokes.
Danny Tallon, one of three players in the club with all four Ulster minor medals (2011-14), speaks of a team that has matured with two Derry titles and now an Ulster crown secured.
Malachy O’rourke came on board as manager and Conor Glass’ return from a career in AFL “speaks for itself.” They’ve gone from also rans to winners.
“I don’t think it’s any coincidence that Derry are doing so well and Glen are doing so well since Conor came back,” says Tallon (above).
“He is a phenomenal team mate. I think you’d struggle to get a better teammate in Ireland with the work he goes through and what he does for the team.”
While club teams all over Ireland have to come to terms with training over Christmas, it’s nothing new to Glen. The Ulster minor tournament runs over the festive period. The under-21 equivalent - won three times as well (2015-17) - is a January gig.
Amazingly, Glen won their seven provincial finals out of seven – now eight since their senior victory over Kilcoo a few weeks’ back. Playing year in, year out, all season round, paints a picture of a bond coming from a club team being in each other’s company more than most.
“We have been playing together from we were no age and we are all really good friends,” Tallon explains. “To win with your friends, that is so special.”
Now they’re an hour away from the pinnacle of club football.
Kilmacud Crokes know every inch of Croke Park and Sunday is their fourth run out this season at headquarters.
However, before Glen’s recent All-ireland semifinal win over Moycullen, only Eunan Mulholland, Alex Doherty and Conleth Mcguckian hadn’t graced Croke
Park.
Michael Warnock’s appearance came in a
Christy Ring
Cup final defeat by Kerry, while Connlan
Bradley was Derry’s sub goalkeeper for the footballers last year.
Tallon
is one of a group in double figures to have Hogan Cup experience with St Patrick’s Maghera (below) that included 2013 winning skipper Connor Carville.
“It’s a long time ago,” he said with a smile. “You have been there and done that before, so that was out of your head, but I suppose it was relatively new.
“At senior level, it is different and the first time going in with the club.
“Kilmacud have a lot more experience at this level than we have,” said Tallon, who is fully aware of the hurt their latest opponents will carry.
The Watties themselves were close to toppling Kilcoo last season in Ulster.
“They have great experience of Croke Park,” he continues.
“We have only played in it once as a team. So they have that.
“They are a massive club and we know we are massively up against it. “They are favourites and rightly so. We will have to put our best foot forward and see if it’s enough.”