Paddy Durcan: ‘It has been a long time to get back to this stage'

Castlebar’s Paddy Durcan. Pic: James Crombie/Inpho

This one was sweet. Paddy Durcan was there throughout Castlebar Mitchels last dominant spell. Ever since 2017, they have been trying to get back up the steps.

“It is unbelievable,” he said on the field at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park with his club celebrating all around him. They saw off Garrymore in impressive fashion to secure a 32nd senior title.

“Look, it is hard to sum up at the minute. Nine long years waiting. We’ve been so hungry to get back here every year. It is so hard; the competition is very hard by nature. Just delighted to get over the line.” 

Their start was awesome. Castlebar roared into a seven-point lead with Bob Tuohy immense around the middle. The second half continued in that fashion with Durcan bursting up the wing to land a terrific two-pointer.

Sunday was a day for steel as much as skill. For the experienced wing-back, that element of their performance pleased him the most.

“We were happy, in fairness, in the main with the first half and the way we controlled the ball. Probably left a small few out there. The two-pointer they got right on half-time was big.

“Look, there is a lot to work on there, but the overriding thing there is just our willingness to work for each other. Semi-final Breaffy, I wouldn’t say we were overly happy with how we played, especially in the second half. It was just work-rate, tackles, blocks. That makes up for a lot of things.” 

Kevin Filan’s outfit featured several players with intercounty experience. Five of them were part of Mayo’s All-Ireland winning panel this year. They are captained by 21-year-old John MacMonagle.

“We were confident with the group we had, particularly the young lads that are coming through. Us older fellas, it is up to us to help them a small bit. They have been leading it, to be honest. If we can teach them one or two things, they have led the way.

“It is special for us as a collective. We are extremely proud of who we are and who we represent. It has been a long time to get back to this stage. It is hard to put into words how much it means to all of us. We are going to celebrate this one.”