THERE IS A BIG DONEGAL feel to today’s All-Ireland senior club final at Croke Park.
Strong Donegal blood is running through the veins of Ballyboden St Enda’s of Dublin who take on Castlebar Mitchells in the showpiece game of the club calendar (throw-in 4pm).
Two-time All-Star goalkeeper Paul Durcan will be in goal for Ballyboden as they seek their first All-Ireland club title against favourites Castlebar.
Durcan transferred to Ballyboden last April from his native Four Masters. At the time of his transfer, Durcan was living and working in Dublin. Later in the year he and his wife, Edel, moved to Qatar and the goalkeeper has been making the commute to line out for Ballyboden since then.
They won the Dublin SFC final against St Vincent’s and overcame Portlaoise in the Leinster final before defeating Clonmel Commercials of Tipperary – managed by ex-Finn Harps manager Charlie McGeever – in their All-Ireland semi last month.
Durcan’s cousin Robbie McDaid will also line out for Ballyboden in today’s final. The family links were instrumental in Durcan’s transfer last year and it will be a real family affair for the duo.
McDaid was a member of the All-Ireland Under-21-winning Dublin side in 2014.
They aren’t the only Donegal connection, though.
Ballyboden’s midfield dynamo and Dublin star Michael Darragh Macauley is of Donegal descent, with his father, Michael, having been a renowned doctor who hailed from Lettermacaward.
And among the hoards of Ballyboden supporters will be golfer Paul McGinley, whose father, Mick, is from Dunfanaghy.
McGinley played for Ballyboden at underage level and played for Dublin until minor grade before golf took over.
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