Throwback Tuesday 24.02.2026

Fanad United were seasoned winners of the USL during the 1990s and went into this game with many of the players that drove them to their many successes during those seasons. They were also a side that regularly made the national stages of the FAI Senior Cup so Drumoghill knew they were up against it.

Fanad also overcame that season's USL winners (Swilly Rovers) to reach the final and not many neutrals gave Drumoghill any chance.

Despite our league struggles, Drumoghill were always a team that could rise to the occasion and did so again when beating Keadue Rovers in the semi final.

Manager Martin Gormley had assembled a team that were well drilled and with lads like Paul Lynch and Michael Lynch (another man that became well acquainted with playing in the FAI Senior Cup) in defence, Fanad were to find out that their opponents were going to be difficult to break down.

The first goal in any final is always crucial and when Drumoghill grabbed an early goal though Richard McGinley, they knew they had a chance with something to hold on to.

They Lynch lads are nothing if they are not tenacious and they were giving nothing away. Fanad ran out of ideas and two late goals from Niall Cooke sealed a famous win.

Our team that day was: James O'Reilly, Ronan McGowan, Paul Lynch, Ryan McDermott, Michael Lynch, Paul Gallagher, Niall Cooke, Derek Maxwell, John McLaughlin, Richard McGinley and Kieran Duffy. Subs were Gerard Boyle, Patrick Logue and Michael Morning.

Although we didn't know it, this was our last ever match in the USL and at Intermediate level. The club decided to return to Junior Football at that time and re-entered the Donegal League in 2001.