Big Anthony Molloy Comes face to face with the Donegal follower When Donegal midfielder Anthony Molloy runs on to the Clones pitch on Sunday next he will be starting on his second century of competitive appearances in the green and gold. We sent Cormac McGill (The Follower), well know Donegal G.A.A. columnist, along to interview the popular Ardara Donegal and Ulster midfielder. Cormac: Anthony, 100 games for Donegal. What is the feeling facing the Ulster Final? Anthony: Good - Very good actually and very quietly confident. Cormac: A great career Anthony but when did it all begin? Anthony: As a schoolboy in Ardara. We won the under 14 Championship and went on to win at under 16 and two Donegal under 21 Championships. I played minor for the county for a few years and then under 21. Indeed, I played under 16 in Croke Park against a Dublin selection. Cormac: In those early years, who influenced your career? Anthony: Ours was a football house. My brothers Connie and Lanty were prominent with the club and were county panellists. I just followed their lead. In '81 Connie and Lanty were prominent on the Ardara championship team. I injured a knee in the opening game but playing for about ten minutes in the final Cormac: Remember 1982! Anthony: Remember it - I'll never forget it. The highlight of course was the under 21 All Ireland beating Laois 0-5 to 0- 4 in the semi final and Roscommon 0-8 to 0-5 in the final. That was my first taste of real football glory. Cormac: Since that you have played with some great players. Anthony: I have played with and against the best Stephen King, Peter McGilligan and Plunkett Donaghy are but a few. In New York I played with Paraic Dunne and Larry Tompkins and also Pat Spillane. They all assisted Donegal in the states. Cormac: Great opponents Anthony? Anthony: In competitive inter-county fare midfield is always tough but great opponents would include Brian Mullins, Jack O'Shea, Stephen King from Cavan and, of course, Paudie O'Shea.. Cormac: You mentioned New York? Anthony: I won New York championships with Donegal in 1986 and again in 1991. There is a great standard of football there particularly from the semi finals onward. Cormac: The future of the Railway Cup? Anthony: I enjoy Railway Cup games. I always feel honoured to be chosen for my province. I know a lot of the glamour may be gone but it will always give players from lesser counties a chance to play on a National stage. Cormac: In 1990 Anthony, I believe trial by video cost you an All Star Award. Anthony: I am still upset over that. To win an All Star is the chance of a lifetime. It comes very seldom. The referee did not send me off that day against Cavan. It was an Ulster Council decision taken at a meeting after the game. I was never sent off at senior inter-county level. Cormac: You mentioned referees. Anthony: Referees have a most difficult job, a fact not too often appreciated. He has to make instant decisions. I would like to see more ex-players take up the whistle. Cormac: You're 30 years of age Anthony. Do you still enjoy the game? Anthony: I'm playing because I enjoy it. It is the best field game in the world and has made tremendous friends for me. Cormac: I often think the ordinary punter does not appreciate the sacrifices inter-county players make. Anthony: It takes up a lot of time. At this time of the year you train three nights a week with the county. You then have challenge games at weekends and, of course, club commitments as well. That is time consuming - the price of success, if you like, but if successful worth it all. Cormac: Should players be paid? Anthony: It is coming to the time when some form of compensation must be looked at. We have had 81 training session since last October. From you leave home until you return about five hours elapse. That is a total of 405 hours and I haven't mentioned games almost every weekend. Cormac: Ten years, 100 games in the middle of the park Anthony. How do you now view the game? Anthony: Getting faster all the time and even higher levels of personal fitness needed. Cormac: Your ambition and my life's dream is to see Sam cross the Erne. Why have we waited so long? Anthony: To win an All Ireland is every player's dream and I certainly would love to bring Sam to Donegal. We have had no luck in my two semi finals. A Val Daly goal from 45m robbed us in '83 and '90 we did everything but score. We must keep plugging away and who knows better but 1992 could be our year. Cormac: Sunday next? Your 5th final & 6th Ulster final appearance. Anthony: I'll be nervous going out on that field. A final is a final. However, once I get the first ball in my hands the tummy nerves will settle. Cormac: Is there a way forward for Donegal? Anthony: Of course. We have a good panel this year. We are as well prepared as ever we were. There is a great pool of talent in the county at minor and under 21 level. The future is very bright. Cormac: Will Anthony Molloy be part of it? Anthony: Cormac. I'd love to be. I'm 30 now and while I'd love to keep going I'll have to look at myself after this season. I have a recurring knee injury that requires constant medication to prevent inflammation so I'll just have to wait and see. Cormac: You have achieved folk-hero status so what advice have you for your legion of young admirers? Anthony: Young players should practice the basic skills, the catch, use of both feet, the solo run and the quick pick-up. They must pay heed to their coaches and trainers and remember the game is greater than any individual. No smoking and drinking would be a great help to any young player and of course, they must train seriously and sincerely if they want to reach the top. It takes personal sacrifices. Cormac: Good luck on Sunday, big fella. Anthony: Thanks Cormac, and good luck to the Hogan Stand, a magazine that is doing it's utmost to promote the G.A.A. ANTHONY MOLLOY FACT-FILE NAME: Anthony Molloy DATE OF BIRTH: 28th May 1962 MARRIED: To Brid last year CLUB: Ardara HONOURS: Under 14 Championship, Vocational Schools at all ages from under 15 to under 19, 1 Senior Championship, 2 under 21 Championships with Ardara, 2 Ulster Senior medals, 1 All Ireland medal under 21, 1 Railway Cup medal, 2 New York Championships and 3 E.S.B. All Ireland Championships. GREATEST OCCASION: 1982 under 21 All Ireland GREATEST REGRET: 1990 defeat by Meath or 1983 defeat by Galway FAVOURITE PLAYER: Matt Connor AMBITION: To take Sam to Donegal HARDEST OPPONENT: Always tough at midfield but I'd say Stephen King YOUR POSITION: Midfield Taken from Hogan Stand Magazine 17/07/92. Tweet

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