Former Dunmore Community School pupil delivers harsh lesson to Galway
Just three weeks ago, Darragh Heneghan was a relative unknown on the national Gaelic football scene. Around North Galway, there were those who would remember the potential he showed when playing for Dunmore Community School, while followers of the Sigerson Cup would have seen him show flashes of his immense talent there too.
Now, after scoring 3-5 in two televised games against Mayo and Galway, the man who made his championship debut against New York last month has thrust himself into the All-Star conversation.
The first goal, scored by his cousin Robert (another Dunmore CS past pupil) was also in no small part due to Darragh’s influence, though he wasn’t in any mood to take credit for that.
“I should have finished it, I'd say, first of all!” was his recollection of that first green flag.
“But then, thankfully, Rob has the soccer background and he has the poacher's instinct there and he tucked it away lovely.”
Heneghan’s approach to the game was highlighted on the Sunday Game with all the usual graphics and arrows by Peter Canavan and Cora Staunton, but the Michael Glaveys man gave a wonderfully simple description of his approach to football.
“There's grass in front of you, why not use it?”
Not that there was much grass to be seen as he spoke, with jubilant supporters in yellow and blue covering the playing surface.
“The Roscommon fans have been absolutely unbelievable this year. Kerry, New York, they followed us everywhere. It's like a 16th man out there when you hear the roars and the shouting and the encouragement you get off them. It's massive.”
On a disappointing day for Galway football, a few of Darragh Heneghan’s former teachers and playing colleagues in Dunmore will have taken some at least consolation from watching his star soar to new heights.