Topple Tourlestrane
DEFENCE: This is arguably Tourlestrane’s strongest sector – John Francis Carr, Barry Walsh and Adrian McIntyre are the key personnel, with McIntyre so important, but Noel Gaughan and Oisín Kennedy will have major roles as well.
MIDFIELD: Feidhlim O’Donnell won a Connacht GAA U-20 Football Championship with Sligo back in April. O’Donnell’s midfielder partner, traditional musician Conan Marren, has all the attributes necessary to impose himself even more than he has done.
ATTACK: Brian Egan’s absence and now Aiden Marren’s unavailability leaves the scoring burden primarily on Liam Gaughan and Cathal Henry, who has rediscovered his previous form. Gary Gaughan, if fit to play, is a reliable ball-carrier.
BENCH: Niall Egan, JP Lang, Stephen Henry, Cian Surlis and Kevin O’Hara are each capable options.
MANAGEMENT: Fergal O’Donnell has vast experience of management at club and inter-county level, including spells in charge of his native Roscommon.
beating favourites Coolera-Strandhill (who inflicted pain on Tourlestrane in the Furey’s Coaches Senior Football League Division One final) and then looking assured when overcoming
Drumcliffe-Rosses narrowly.
Now that Tourlestrane have qualified for their 25th county final, few would bet against them losing for the
Point,
albeit first time in a decider since 2010 (they lost to Eastern Harps, now of the Connacht Gold Intermediate Football Championship, in that final). Tourlestrane’s familiar traits and their ultra-reliable core means they only have to be themselves to get another title in the bag, although I’m sure they’d be happier if Brian Egan was available, so too Aiden Marren. When St Mary’s were in their pomp in the 1970s and 1980s – a golden era that saw them reach 10 finals and win eight titles, including a three-in-a-row, 1983-85 – other clubs envied them. Now the ABT (Anyone But Tourlestrane) brigade will be rooting for St Mary’s – even if only for one day.
Either way, history will be made. Tourlestrane will make it a Super Seven or St Mary’s will end Sligo GAA’s greatest cycle of silverware. Tourlestrane get the nod, just.
WE’LL MEET AGAIN: Tourlestrane’s Liam Gaughan and Nathan Rooney of St Mary’s prior to a Furey’s Coaches Senior Football League Division One game at Tourlestrane in July. These clubs will contest the Homeland Senior Football Championship decider this Sunday.