David Wynne remains an influential figure for Maigh Cuilinn. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
By Cian O’Connell
For long enough Maigh Cuilinn waited and wondered. David Wynne has been part of the fall and rise of the proud club, who have won two Galway Championships and one AIB Connacht Club title since 2020.
Denied a provincial run three years ago due to Covid restrictions, Maigh Cuilinn flourished on that stage in 2022, underlining the considerable work carried out by Don Connellan. With former Galway footballer Paul Clancy operating as chairperson, solid structures have been established in Maigh Cuilinn.
A thriving underage set-up is producing players for Galway outfits at every level. Wynne acknowledges how relevant that is for the current Maigh Cuilinn senior team. “It makes a huge difference when you have that calibre coming in, when you have so many boys involved in inter-county set-ups,” Wynne says.
“You're already getting the base of football knowledge, you're getting the base of strength and conditioning work, it just takes a lot of pressure off the club. Those lads are then dispersing that information amongst the group too which brings the other lads on.
“We are very lucky that we have a nice blend at the minute, older lads and younger lads. Some of the guys that came through in 2016 and 2017 they are at the peak of their powers now, at 26, 27, 28.
“We are lucky enough that they have stuck around, that they are part of the journey, that they haven't decided to go abroad. So we are delighted.”
Having endured difficult days with Maigh Cuilinn, Wynne has a sense of perspective about the journey. Sunday’s Galway SFC decider against Corofin at Pearse Stadium promises to be intriguing. “This is about more than 30 or 40 lads down at the pitch, we have a whole community, a whole parish, so we nearly have a responsibility at this stage,” he says. “The whole of Moycullen is looking forward to it now.”
Young footballers in Maigh Cuilinn entering the senior arena are in a fortunate position according to Wynne. “You have a couple of lads in our team might only have lost a game or two,” Wynne remarks.
“I came in at a good time, we were right there with Killererin, who went on to win a few. Then our team disbanded, I was on a team that was relegated and on a team that was then promoted.
Maigh Cuilinn's David Wynne in action during the 2022 AIB Connacht Club SFC Final against Tourlestrane. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
“These young lads then came along – (Aidan) Claffey, Dessie (Conneely), the Kellys. So from about 2016 or 2017 we have progressed continuously year on year - quarter-finals, semi-finals, finals.
“Now we are where we are and we keep trying to drive that narrative, to write that story every day we go out.”
Connellan has turned Maigh Cuilinn from a team with potential into a slick side, capable of operating at the highest level. A solid foundation has been established. “It is very, very important, we'd be lost without them,” Wynne says about the coaches and selectors involved.
“They have a really unique strength, they are really player managers. They deal with everyone on an individual level and on an individual basis, as you have to as a club manager.
“Some lads are students, some lads are fathers, some lads are teachers or guards, whatever it is. It isn't easy to just blanket manage, so they deserve a lot of credit about how they manage and get the best out of us every Sunday.”
The environment has helped Wynne to flourish. Football remains a key part in Wynne’s life. “I'm at a stage where I can't put in to words how much I enjoy it,” he replies.
“That is down to the group, the management, and the community of Moycullen as a whole. Everyone has bought into this journey and this group. There is a responsibility on it, for sure, but it is enjoyable.
“We are all in it together, we are all driving towards the same thing. Like any family, we fall out once or twice every week, but the end goal is the same for everyone. It makes moving in the same direction a lot easier.”
Wynne is still leading the charge.
