Paul Durcan (Gaelic footballer)

Paul Durcan (born 22 April 1984) is an Irish Gaelic footballer and coach who plays as goalkeeper for Drumcliffe–Rosses Point and the Donegal county team.

Paul Durcan
Personal information
Irish name Pól Ó Durcáin[1]
Sport Gaelic football
Position Goalkeeper
Born (1984-04-22) 22 April 1984
Letterkenny, Ireland
Height 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Nickname Papa[2]
Occupation Quantity Surveyor
Club(s)
Years Club Apps (scores)
2000–2015
2015–2016
2019
2020–
 Four Masters
Ballyboden St Enda's
Ballyboden St Enda's
Drumcliffe–Rosses Point		 100 (0-0)
Club titles
Dublin titles 1
Leinster titles 1
All-Ireland Titles 1
Colleges(s)
Years College
c. 2005
 Sligo IT
College titles
Sigerson titles 1
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
2004–2015
2019–
 Donegal
Donegal
Inter-county titles
Ulster titles 3
All-Irelands 1
NFL 1
All Stars 2

A member of the Donegal county team (senior) since 2004,[3] he has also played soccer for Finn Harps in the League of Ireland.[4]

Durcan has won two All Stars, one All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, three Ulster Senior Football Championships (2011, 2012 and 2014) and one National Football League with his county.

Until transferring to Ballyboden St Enda's in 2015, Durcan played his club football with Four Masters, with whom he won a Donegal Senior Football Championship in 2003. With Ballyboden St Enda's Durcan won a Dublin Senior Football Championship and Leinster Senior Club Football Championship (both 2015) and then an All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship in 2016. He lives in County Sligo, and made his championship debut for the Drumcliffe–Rosses Point club in 2020.

Early life

His father John Durcan is a retired garda, originally from Foxford, County Mayo. He watched his son rise through the ranks at Four Masters alongside Karl Lacey and Barry Dunnion, winning numerous underage titles along the way. He said, "He was always an outfield player, until Martin McHugh made a goalkeeper of him for the U16 Ted Webb Cup in 1999. Although he was nine years younger than his brother Adrian and six younger than Sean, they always had Paul in goals, smashing shots at him. They never let him out!"[5] Durcan's heroes include his fellow Donegal goalkeepers Gary Walsh, Packie Bonner and Shay Given.[6] At the age of nine he watched Donegal win the 1992 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, which he later described as the greatest game he had ever been to in any sport.[7]

Playing career

Club

Durcan originally played his club football for Four Masters, sometimes playing outfield for the club.[8] His club achievements include winning the 2003 Donegal Senior Football Championship.[9][10]

In 2015, he transferred to Ballyboden St Enda's, the paperwork going through on 10 April. That team also featured his cousin, Robbie McDaid.[11] It was McDaid who put Durcan in touch with the Firhouse Road club. Durcan later explained: "I decided to play with Ballyboden to cut a bit of time coming and going from Donegal. I was up there all weekend for club and county but when I switched clubs I had more time around the weekends. I had been living on the northside but I had the connection with Ballyboden through Robbie. Then (manager) Andy McEntee rang me himself. Robbie, I suppose, may have said something to him. I met Andy, I got on well with him and he brought me around the club."[12] Durcan dislodged fellow goalkeepers Darragh Gogan and Conor Dooley to win Dublin and Leinster titles in 2015 and an All-Ireland Club Championship in 2016.[13][14][15][16]

He joined Drumcliffe–Rosses Point and made his championship debut against Tubbercurry at Connolly Park in Collooney on 1 August 2020, playing in the club's first Sligo Senior Football Championship final the following month (lost to Tourlestrane).[17][18][19]

College

Durcan notably saved two penalties for Sligo IT during the 2005 Sigerson Cup, the first in the semi-final and the second in the final.[8]

Inter-county

Durcan was called up to the Donegal senior football team on the back of club success with The Four Masters. He made his inter-county debut in a 2004 league game against Monaghan in Ballyshannon.

At this time, Tony Blake was Donegal's established first choice goalkeeper. Durcan deputised for Blake and then saw off the challenge of Sean Sweeney to take over when Blake was forced to retire due to a persistent knee injury in May that year. Gary Walsh coached Durcan and Sweeney at this time, having been called in by Donegal manager Brian McEniff.[20]

Durcan played against Armagh in the 2004 Ulster final at Croke Park.[21] He played in the 2006 Ulster final against the same opponents at the same venue.[22] He was part of the Donegal team that won the 2007 National Football League.[8][23]

Michael Boyle would later rival Durcan, occasionally taking his place on the first team.[8] That was just what happened in a 2009 All-Ireland qualifier — after Durcan fouled Clare player Gary Brennan and conceded a penalty, Boyle was sprung from the bench at half-time.[24] Boyle retained his starting place for the games against Galway at Markievicz Park and Cork at Croke Park.[25][26]

He played more league and championship matches under Jim McGuinness's management than any other player.[27]

On 30 June 2012, in the Ulster semi-final against Tyrone, Durcan received much credit after putting Donegal into the final with his outstretched foot. Donegal were three points ahead and it was practically the last action of the game. Durcan went low to his left and deflected Martin Penrose's shot out off the post for a 45'.[7] The save was compared to that of Gordon Banks against Pelé at the 1970 FIFA World Cup.[28][29] Tyrone manager Mickey Harte said Durcan's last-gasp goal-saving intervention had denied Tyrone a replay.[30] Durcan would later describe it as the most important save of his career.[7] It enabled Donegal to retain their Ulster title they had won in 2011 (a first back-to-back success in team history), and the team went unbeaten through the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, defeating Mayo in the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final to claim the Sam Maguire Cup. Durcan won an All Star and attended the Football Tour of New York.[31]

In 2013, Durcan made his 100th appearance for Donegal in the county's third 2013 National Football League game against Tyrone at Healy Park.[32] In the following game he contributed to Donegal's defeat of the mighty Kerry by saving a penalty.[33] In the Championship he helped his team to a third consecutive Ulster final.[34]

2014 brought a third Ulster senior title and another extended run of games in the Championship. Somewhat unusually, he scored an own goal in the 2014 All-Ireland quarter-final defeat of Armagh at Croke Park.[35]

He was involved in a traffic collision during the 2015 National Football League campaign, though his injuries were not severe.[10]

After his team exited the 2015 championship, Durcan announced he would be moving to Qatar.[36][37]

In 2019, Durcan returned home from Qatar sporting a long grey beard and rejoined the Donegal panel to contest for a place against Shaun Patton and Michael Lynch.[38] He was reported to be living in Sligo since returning from Qatar.[39]

Training regime

Though based in Dublin as a Quantity Surveyor with Errigal Contracts, Durcan tries to get back to Donegal several times a week for training. On several occasions he has made use of a passing helicopter to fly home.[8][40] The journey by road is an eight-hour round trip and during the successful Jim McGuinness era he would make this trip once every week then train at other times in Dublin with strength and conditioning coach Eugene Eivers.[41]

His influence has been likened to that of Peter Schmeichel.[2] His restarts and shot stopping have been compared to those of Stephen Cluxton.[42]

He regards Cluxton as the benchmark for goalkeepers and also admires Gianluigi Buffon.[43]

Coaching

In December 2020, it was announced that Durcan would serve as goalkeeping coach under newly appointed Sligo senior manager Tony McEntee.[44]

Honours
Donegal
Four Masters
Ballyboden St Enda's
College
Individual

References
  1. "Countdown to Croker: Donegal name 'team' for All-Ireland final". Donegal Daily. 20 September 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  2. McNulty, Chris (1 March 2013). "'Papa' set for 100th appearance". Donegal News. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  3. "Donegal win National League title". BBC Sport. BBC. 22 April 2007. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  4. "Finn Harps to take on All-Ireland champions". Ocean FM. 15 November 2012. Archived from the original on 19 November 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2012. Donegal goalkeepers Paul Durcan and Michael Boyle both spent some time on the books at Finn Park, while forward Patrick McBrearty and defender Frank McGlynn have turned out for Harps underage teams in the past.
  5. Foley, Alan (21 September 2012). "Donegal sons – and their Mayo fathers". Irish Examiner. Thomas Crosbie Holdings. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  6. Bassett, Paul (6 November 2012). "Paul Durcan Reaps the Rewards". Coddle. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  7. "Ten Questions with Paul Durcan". GAA.ie. 20 August 2012. Archived from the original on 14 September 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  8. "Paul Durcan". Gaelic life. 30 June 2011. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  9. "DONEGAL SFC FINAL : Masters marvels". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 13 October 2003. Retrieved 13 October 2003.
  10. Donoghue, Eamon (11 April 2015). "All Star 'keeper Paul Durcan completes Ballyboden transfer: The Four Masters' native is now living and working full-time in Dublin". The Irish Times. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  11. "Durcan's club transfer rubber stamped". Hogan Stand. 11 April 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  12. Fogarty, John (5 December 2015). "Paul Durcan checks in for Ballyboden St Enda's". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  13. Boyle, Donnchadh (3 February 2016). "Ballyboden boost as Paul Durcan to fly back from Qatar for All-Ireland semi-final". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  14. Moran, Seán (17 March 2016). "Ballyboden save their best until the final hurdle". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  15. O'Brien, Brendan (7 December 2015). "Christmas comes early for battling Ballyboden St Enda's". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  16. Keane, Paul (1 November 2015). "Andrew Kerin brace fires Ballyboden to glory". RTÉ Sport. RTÉ. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  17. Foley, Alan (20 September 2020). "Durcan's Drumcliffe–Rosses Point fall just short in Sligo SFC final as Tourlestrane win five-in-row". Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  18. "County final round-up". Hogan Stand. 20 September 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  19. Mention of Sligo SFC debut: Mullaney, Cathal (1 August 2020). "Late Smith free under pressure levels it up". The Sligo Champion. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  20. Keys, Colm (19 May 2004). "Injury ends Blake career". Irish Independent.
  21. "Awesome Armagh destroy Donegal". RTÉ Sport. RTÉ. 11 July 2004. Retrieved 11 July 2004. Even after 13 minutes if looked ominous for Donegal when they trailed by four points. They managed to stay in touch until the 28th minute when goalkeeper Paul Durcan's indecision allowed Diarmuid Marsden to fist into the net.
  22. "Donegal 0-09 1-09 Armagh". BBC Sport. BBC. 9 July 2006. Retrieved 9 July 2006.
  23. "Donegal achieve historic win - First national league title comes to county after victory over Mayo". Donegal Times. 25 April 2007. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2007.
  24. "Donegal 0-13 Clare 1-07". RTÉ Sport. RTÉ. 11 July 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2009. a foul by Donegal goalkeeper Paul Durcan on the advancing Gary Brennan, who was following up on a ball in from Tubridy, resulted in a penalty award. Durcan paid the price for his error of judgement when he was replaced by Michael Boyle at half-time.
  25. "Donegal 0-14 Galway 0-13". RTÉ Sport. RTÉ. 25 July 2009. Retrieved 25 July 2009.
  26. "Cork 1-27 Donegal 2-10". RTÉ Sport. RTÉ. 2 August 2009. Retrieved 2 August 2009.
  27. Whooley, Declan (30 September 2014). "Five unsung football heroes". Irish Independent. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  28. "Durcan puts Donegal into final". Donegal Democrat. Johnston Press. 30 June 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  29. "Durcan keeps Donegal's Ulster dreams in safe hands". Donegal Daily. 30 June 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  30. "Mickey Harte says Paul Durcan save denied Tyrone replay". BBC Sport. BBC. 30 June 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  31. McNulty, Chris (13 November 2012). "Replacement All-Star for Thompson". Donegal News. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  32. "Durcan to join century club". Hogan Stand. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  33. "National League: Donegal 1–12 0–5 Kerry". BBC Sport. BBC. 10 March 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  34. "Donegal 0-12 Down 0-09". RTÉ Sport. RTÉ. 23 June 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  35. Reilly, Gary (9 August 2014). "GIF: Own Goal From Paul Durcan Gave Donegal An Almighty Scare Against Armagh". Balls.ie. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  36. O'Toole, Fintan (11 August 2015). "Donegal's Allstar goalkeeper set for move to Qatar putting inter county future in doubt". Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  37. Keys, Colm (11 August 2015). "Durcan's Donegal future in doubt as he plans move abroad". Irish Independent. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  38. "Durcan battling for goalkeeper spot". Donegal News. 23 May 2019. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  39. "Patton embracing battle to be number one". Show Your Colours: 2019 Ulster Championship Preview. North West of Ireland Printing and Publishing Company. pp. 24–25.
  40. McNulty, Chris (12 September 2014). "Clubbing together enables Jim McGuinness to prepare Donegal's finer details again". Donegal News. Retrieved 12 September 2014. Last week, Paul Durcan, Paddy McGrath and Martin O'Reilly were spared the road trip to and from the capital thanks to the provision of a helicopter to transport them to Ballybofey.
  41. Nolan, Pat (18 July 2013). "An eight hour trip to training: it's true 'glove' for Donegal's Paul Durcan". Mirror. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
  42. Duggan, Keith (16 September 2014). "Paul Durcan plays key role in Donegal success: Keeper's restarts and shot stopping have drawn comparison with role revolutionary Stephen Cluxton". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  43. "Durcan: Cluxton the benchmark". Hogan Stand. 19 July 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  44. "Durcan to coach Sligo's goalkeepers". Hogan Stand. 14 December 2020.
  45. "All-Star football nominees are named". RTÉ Sport. 4 October 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  46. Heneghan, Conor (2015). "The nominations for the 2015 GAA/GPA Gaelic Football All-Stars have been announced". JOE.ie.
  47. "Donegal team clean up on Sunday Game Team of the Year". Donegal Daily. 23 September 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Tony Blake		 Donegal Number One Goalkeeper
2004		 Succeeded by
Michael Boyle
Preceded by
Michael Boyle		 Donegal Number One Goalkeeper
2006–2008		 Succeeded by
Michael Boyle
Preceded by
Michael Boyle		 Donegal Number One Goalkeeper
2010–2015		 Succeeded by
Mark Anthony McGinley
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