Throwback Tuesday 18/06/2024
18 Jun 2024
We are back to the Summer of 1990 this week with our team that won the Curragh Cup, and with a story that doesn't get told as much as it should.
Many could be forgiven for thinking that nothing other than Italia 90 happened that Summer, but those that played in the Curragh Cup will be happy to tell you otherwise.
Back then, Drumoghill were on a charge through the divisions of the Donegal League having re-entered in 1988. The team pictured had just won Division 3 (there was no Premier Division in those days) and carried that form into the Curragh Cup by reaching the final.
There they would face a strong Donegal Town team, who were in or around the Ulster Senior League at that time.
Donegal Town, with Declan McIntyre in goal, were considered strong favourites so it was no big surprise that they coasted into a 4-0 lead by the early stages of the second half.
It looked like the game was up and the cup would be going through the gap, but Drumoghill had other ideas.
They managed to restore the deficit to 4-3 going into the last minute of the game when Shaun O'Donnell (The Swan) rose highest at the back post to head home with the last touch of the game.
Somehow we forced a replay and another chance.
The replay was the following Wednesday and the large crowd again witnessed a team going into a commanding lead.
However, this time it was Drumoghill that took control as they raced into a 3-0 lead which they held comfortably until the full time whistle.
Many people today may not believe that Killygordon had a nightclub back then (Bakers corner) that was open on a Wednesday night, but that is exactly where the entire team, the cup and the prize money stayed until daylight on the Thursday morning.
The cup and the team did find their way home but the prize money didn't.
Declan Bonner had recently played for Donegal against Meath in an All-Ireland Semi Final, but was more than happy to admit in Bakers Corner that night that his Croke Park experience was something he would forget a lot quicker than what had just happened at The Cross.
There are a few other stories from that night that are probably best forgotten, but one thing that won't be forgotten is the miracle comeback from the first game.
Not while The Swan is about anyway.
