Kevin Cassidy is delighted he reversed his decision to retire from football.

The former Donegal star brought the curtain down an 18-year senior career with Gaoth Dobhair two years ago, only to be talked into returning the following summer by his brother-in-law and manager Mervyn O’Donnell. And the 37-year-old’s decision to come back paid off spectacularly last month when he starred at full forward as Gaoth Dobhair landed the Dr Maguire Cup for the first time in 12 years.

“I loved it,” the erstwhile wing back said of playing in his new role in an interview with the Irish News ahead of today’s Ulster club SFC quarter-final against Cargin.

“When you’re there for a long time, you maybe do ask yourself is it worth it, are we taking things as seriously as we need to.

“Just at that time (after the 2016 campaign ended) I thought maybe a fresh group of players was needed, that maybe it was time to walk away.”

He added: “I suppose we’ve been waiting for these lads to arrive for a number of years because we’ve watched them win countless minor titles and 21s and they’re just such a driven bunch.

“They came last year, but maybe last year was just a wee bit early for them and we lost by a point in the semi-final. A year older, it just clicked for them this year, it was great to see it.”

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