The pep is back in his step

STEPHEN GLENNON

GALWAY sharpshooter Eoin Concannon says the pep is back in his step ahead of St. James’ All-Ireland Intermediate Club football final clash against Fermanagh champions, Lisnaskea Emmets under lights at Croke Park this Saturday evening (7:15pm).

Although some had felt that Concannon, a superb talent in his teens, had lost form for a period, the astute attacker has responded by playing some of the best football of his career over the last year or so – not only in guiding St. James’ to an All-Ireland final, but also with the Galway seniors.

“I suppose, I played a lot of football when I was younger,” says the 22-year-old. “I was young when I would have gone into minor and then, from there, I went into the U-21s. So, I was playing a lot of football, all the time.

“People thought I went down, but, I don’t know. I still always had the hunger for football, but I may just have lost my step a bit. I feel, though, I have got it back now – my fitness is good – and hopefully I can stay going that way. I am enjoying it, and once you are enjoying anything you do you are going to be happy and you are going to be confident.” 

No doubt, if Concannon’s six-point haul in the 0-12 to 0-10 victory over Kerry outfit Gneeveguilla in the All-Ireland semi-final is anything to go by, confidence no longer appears to be an issue. Or, indeed, according to the centre-half forward, his team-mates.

“Everyone is just delighted to be playing in an All-Ireland,” he beams. “I had played in an All-Ireland for my school (St. Mary’s College), soccer and Gaelic, but this is my first one for the club, my first one at senior (adult) level, and it’s my first time to play in Croke Park.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.