Moylan’s men keep sights trained on more titles

NOTHING succeeds like success, and this motto certainly applies in the progressive Galbally club in Tyrone.

The GAA playing season may be petering out but Galbally are still setting a hot pace as they sprint along the trophy trail.

Having already won the intermediate league and championship, as well as the reserve league, the club is now focused on reaching the Ulster Club Intermediate Championship final, as well as the Tyrone Under-21 championship decider.

They face Donegal side St Naul’s in the provincial semi-final at Celtic Park on Sunday afternoon, with the Under-21 semi-final against Carrickmore having temporarily been put on the long finger.

The club’s hectic itinerary sees several players currently logging up considerable miles in their pursuit of honours, with Tyrone’s 2005 All-Ireland winning panellist Mickey Nugent making regular trips from England to play his part.

Ciaran McRory and Paul Rafferty both won All-Ireland minor medals in 2001 and are still putting their shoulder to the wheel, while Ronan Nugent was at midfield in the Tyrone side which lost the 2013 All-Ireland minor final.

And full-back Conor Quinn played on the Tyrone Under-20 team last year; his consistent performances ultimately earning him a National All-Star award.

Galbally manager John Moylan believes the amalgam of youth and experience has served to create a buoyant spirit within the side which has proved a key factor in their progress to date

“We have Liam Rafferty, who played for the Tyrone senior side, in there, as well as several other players who have come up through the ranks,” explains Moylan.

“It’s terrific to be playing championship football at this time of year. We are really looking forward to this game against St Naul’s on Sunday.

“They beat Aldergrove at the quarter-final stage and I’m sure they will have taken considerable heart from that result, but we have a couple of wins under our own belts in Ulster so we are in good heart.”

Club stalwart Kevin Kelly is part of the management team and pinpoints just why the club has embraced its current ration of success so enthusiastically.

“The fact of the matter is that we had to wait for 61 years to win an adult team trophy, which was this year’s county intermediate championship, and that’s a long time by any standards,” reflects Kelly.

“Obviously now that we have got a taste of it we want more, and the fact that we are still in with a shout of getting our hands on more trophies is helping to drive the boys on.

“We have players in there who have sampled success at underage level, and, indeed, at senior level with Tyrone, but they will tell you that nothing beats winning a trophy with your club colleagues with whom you grew up.

“They say patience is a virtue and we have certainly had to exercise that.”

Title surge: Liam Rafferty is firing up Galbally’s glory bid