All the hard graft has paid off for Mallon

Four years ago, Thomas Mallon wasn’t exactly on the inter-county radar.

Just graduated from U21, where he had represented his county, his career prospects were being stunted at club level.

He had moved between the sticks at U14 level, and was by that stage an out-and-out goalkeeper. But a former Oak Leaf custodian stood in his path at Loup. Shane McGuckin gripped tightly to number one.