MOGAN'S NAUL IRELAND FINAL IS SPECIAL

PEADAR Mogan is living proof that the adage 'success breeds success' rings true.

- BY PADDY TIERNEY

He was barely a teenager when Donegal emulated the breakout kings of 1992 by bringing Sam Maguire back to the Hills in 2012.

Mogan was among the thousands of fans backed into the Diamond in the heart of Donegal Town hoping to get a glimpse of the famous cup and the newly crowned heroes who made it possible.

Each All-Ireland winning team hopes to inspire the next generation of stars. Stephen Griffin did just that in 2012.

For Mogan, the sight of his own clubman standing alongside Donegal boss Jim McGuinness and captain Michael Murphy with the Sam Maguire lit a fire in his belly.

"You were looking up to Stephen (Griffin) because he was the same club - Stephen used to babysit me," said Mogan.

"You're looking at a local club fella that you would have seen playing for St Naul's and he's a part of the Donegal team and he's a part of a team that brought such joy to you as a young supporter.

"He was part of a team that would probably give you the wee bit between your teeth to look and be like 'it would be lovely to play for Donegal' - that's what it means.

"To see how hard they ran and worked and tackled. That's probably what it's going to take and maybe a bit more.