By Katrina Brennan

IN his first year as captain, Shane McGullion lifted the New York Cup for Derrygonnelly, describing the achievement as “one of the sweetest.”

The attacking wing half-back sealed the victory for the Harps against Erne Gaels with an injury-time goal to ensure the cup was going back to Derrygonnelly for a tenth time.

“I still can’t believe we came away with it. The first half when we went a man down, I was like, this could be a long one and it was,” he said.

“Belleek pushed us right to the end and luckily we got that break at the end to give us a wee cushion but it could’ve went either way with Ultán’s (Kelm) shot off the crossbar. If that was just a few centimetres lower, it was in the net. We’re lucky.”

The 25 year-old finished with 1-1 on Sunday and he was just relieved to get the job done, especially for his brother Stephen who had to watch on from the sideline after sustaining a broken ankle against Kinawley the previous week.

“I just wanted to win it for him. It’s been a tough week he’s been stuck in the house trying to keep it (on the) down-low, but word gets out, of course it does.

“It’s extra special and to be fair, the work he’s put in, he couldn’t do anything on the sideline today only drive us on. So yeah, I’m glad to win it for Stephen.”

In his victory speech, McGullion paid tribute to the management team saying: “The hours these boys put in to get us back up here today, it doesn’t go unnoticed and we’re forever grateful for it.”

Sean Flanagan is the man leading that management team and now the Erne champions can prepare for an Ulster clash with Kilcoo in Brewster Park next weekend.