It is 21 years since Dermot Feely played in his first county final as Derrygonnelly claimed their maiden New York Cup with victory over Lisnaskea Emmetts.
Fast forward to this Sunday and goalkeeper Feely, who is known throughout the county as ‘Peggy’ will be competing in his sixth senior final with the Harps and will be going in search of his fifth winners medal. Indeed, with four in his back pocket at present, he has more senior championship medals than any other Derrygonnelly player. From that team that played against Lisnaskea in 1995, Kevin Cassidy is still playing but he missed out last year due to injury while midfielder on that team Martin Greene has also been involved in all those finals with four as a player and now two as a manager.
“Kevin Cassidy would have had four too only he had a cruciate injury last year so he missed that one. I would have all four and I suppose it is an honour and a privilege to have won them as there is a lot of players who have gone through the club without winning one. I’m very humbled to have those medals,” said Feely.
All four of the titles mean a lot to Feely but the first one and last one have particular significance to him.
“The first one is probably the sweetest one as it was the first one for the club but they all are special. Last year there was the passing of Damian McGovern and we thought we had to do it for him and the community. There was a lot of relief and emotion last year at the final whistle.”
The game has changed significantly since Dermot first pulled on his gloves and that includes the goalkeeper’s role as Feely explains.
“It used to be a case of driving the ball out as far as you could but now it is more from the Stephen Cluxton school of kick outs were you have to be more accurate and pinpoint. There is pressure to deliver the ball to players in certain areas of the field. Also the goalkeeper is now expected at times to the free taker on top of that. The role has changed a lot since I started,” he commented.
The Harps number one though is still enjoying playing, especially with close friends Cassidy and Greene also involved.
“I’m still enjoying it and I wouldn’t be at it if I didn’t enjoy it but I would be lying if I didn’t admit that at times it is difficult. There’s still the likes of Archie (Martin Greene) though there as manager and Kevin Cassidy is still playing and these are boys that I grew up with which makes it easier to stay on,” he stated.
Indeed, he has nothing but respect for Greene who lead the side to the title last year in his first year as manager.
“To be fair to Archie he is a great man-manager and he has done it all himself from winning a MacRory Cup, playing for Ireland at U17s, playing for the county and obviously winning titles with Derrygonnelly. I have nothing but respect for him,” he added.
Moving on to this Sunday and there’s still a desire in Feely to add to his tally as the Harps contest back to back finals for the first time in their history. “Finals don’t come around all that often so I’m looking forward to it and hopefully we can come out on top. This is the first time for us as holders to get back into a final, we are usually beaten in the first round in the year after we have won it, so to go on and complete back to back titles would be brilliant.”
However, he knows that they face a tough test in the final against a hungry Erne Gaels side.
“They are a very good side. They have nothing to lose, they are young and they have no fear so it will come down to who wants it the most, who is the hungriest and hopefully that will be us.”