SIX years on from the muggy night in Markievicz Park when Donegal beat Galway and everything has changed utterly for one former Donegal star.
Brendan Boyle, from Ardara, knows all about the heartaches of losing - the former midfield star was on the losing side in three Ulster finals against Armagh in 2002, 2004 and 2006.
But he has fond memories of Tir Chonaill’s exciting one point victory over the Tribesmen on that July Saturday in 2009.
Brendan partnered Kevin Cassidy at midfield, in a real ding- dong encounter that could have gone either way.
“Yes that was a really exciting match," he recalled.
“For us the blanket defence had not yet been invented to both sides went at it toe to toe and it is very exhilarating to be involved in a match like that.
“I remember Galway had some really top class forwards like Padraig Joyce, Michael Meehan, Nicky Joyce and Padraig Conroy.
“But we had players like the younger Michael Murphy and Colm McFadden who hit a lot of scores between them.
“And we also had Frank McGlynn, Neil McGee, Karl Lacey, Eamon McGee and Leo McLoone and all of these lads are still very important to Donegal."
But Brendan believes that Saturday’s Qualifier clash is almost a mirror image of the side he graced in 2009.
“Galway was a very experienced team and had some All-Ireland medal winners," he said.
“They had come off the back of a one point defeat that year and we were just starting to make our way in the Qualifiers after a poor start to the Ulster Championship.
“And on Saturday we will be the experienced team while this Galway side has a number of fine young footballers who have not played at this level before”.
Boyle soldiered for Tir Chonaill from 2002 until a horrific set of cruciate, groin and back injuries forced him out of the county side at 28. He missed out on Donegal’s finest years, but there is no self- pity as reflects on a lean period in the 'noughties'.
“Armagh and Tyrone were the big teams in those years and then other teams started to develop similar systems," he said.
“These days everybody and especially club football in Donegal is using the blanket defence so the game has changed completely from that night in Sligo in 2009.
“Nowadays you might just concede 1-6 or 1-7 and lose the match.
“Donegal have really developed the blanket defence under Jim McGuinness and Rory Gallagher has now taken over.
“But they are also very good at breaking at pace from defence and taking their scores.
‘Of course that did not happen against Monaghan but that was just an off day.
“You won’t see another day like that.
‘Fair play to Monaghan, they were very patient, more patient than us to an extent as they waited and worked the ball to the man in the right position to take a score and that’s what happened”.
But Boyle knows that Donegal will certainly not lack for motivation as they face the Tribesmen in Croke Park on Saturday.
“It is very disappointing to lose an Ulster final but when you know that you have not done yourself justice then it is harder to take.
“They just did not perform to their capacity and they will know that.
“I just know the boys will be just itching to go out and give a performance.
“Michael Murphy was heavily strapped the last day.
“Now I know it is hard for the fans in the stand to know what is really happening with the team but Michael is such an inspiration on the field that not starting him just might not be an option.
“But one advantage of leaving him on the edge of the squares is that you will suck back some of the opposition’s defence and that creates a lot more space for other players out the field.
“On the other hand he showed how dangerous he can be if he gets a bit of room out the field in that match against Armagh.
“But we really need him at full tilt and hopefully that will be so against Galway, he said”.
So can the free running Tribesmen upset Donegal??
“There is no doubt that they are young and hungry and will bring a fair bit of momentum into this match.
“I was very impressed with the way they really put it up to Mayo for long periods in the Connacht championship.
“Shane Walsh is an exceptionally gifted player and they have some very exciting forwards.
“Now I know that Karl Lacey is a huge loss to Donegal.
“He is a great player, a real leader and is a very important link between defence and attack.
“But I just wonder how Galway will be able to break down this Donegal defence.
“Donegal will set up in their usual way and even though teams know in advance it is still very difficult to break it down.
“I just think Donegal will have that bit too much power for Galway and that could be crucial.
“It will be a very different game on Saturday to the one played in Sligo in 2009.
“The game has changed totally but I just think Donegal are further down the road than Galway.
“I know Galway beat Derry and Armagh but 0-10 to their total of 1-11 came from frees against a pretty defensive Derry.
“Donegal has a very good scoring threat up front. And if we get over Galway the buzz could be back to go much further”.
