Three-in-a-row is only a stat for holders Tourlestrane
Belfry Senior Football Championship Semi Final
Tourlestrane v Coolera/Strandhill
September 30th Connolly Park, 2:30pm.
THEY did what seemed like almost the impossible last year, winning back to back Championship titles (the first team to do so since ‘89) and Tourlestrane are still in the race to go all the way and claim a historic three-in-a-row. It has been done before with Easkey Sea Blues (‘37), Tubbercurry (‘40) and Craobh Rua (‘54). Ballisodare were victorious in ‘60 and ‘61 and also in ‘62 and ‘63, after amalgamating with St Pat’s.
Back to 2018 and Coolera/Strandhill are standing in Tourlestrane’s path to another final.
Having defeated St Mary’s convincingly with 11 points to spare, Tourlestrane joint manager Gerry McGowan knows the seasiders will be a formidable outfit on Sunday in Connolly Park.
The holders were comprehensive winners over St Molaise Gaels in the quarter final in Bunninadden with 13 points between them at the end but the North Sligo side did test the reigning champions early into the second half of that game. Gerry said the south Sligo side are eagerly awaiting another semi final.
“We are really looking forward to it. It is good to be there. In terms of the quarter final, St Molaise Gaels are not a bad side in fairness and very much deserved to be there on merit.
“We got a good start in the game and St Molaise Gaels did have a purple patch in the second half but in fairness our lads dealt with it well and we were happy just to get out of the quarter finals.
“You do learn a lot in those type of games and at this time now you really are at the business end and it’s all knock-out and you have to perform.
“You’re making sure that you have everything right and identifying anything that needs work on, we have a good few things to work on,” the Tourlestrane man added.
The south Sligo side topped Group 3 which paved their way to the quarter final meeting with St Molaise Gaels. Gerry said: “I suppose we were expected to get out of that group and we managed that piece and the games helped us prepare well for the next stage. Both St John’s and Calry/ St Joseph’s are good sides and Calry/St Joseph’s also made it through.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s semi final Gerry said Tourlestrane are very aware of the calibre of their opponents.
“Coolera/Strandhill will be a really tough test. They are very well managed and we know John (McPartland Jnr) well. He has done a lot of work with them the last couple of years, they are a well gelled side and a big Championship team.
“Having the likes of Niall Murphy who is a really strong, fresh player, Barry O’Mahony, Keelan Cawley back from injury, Peter Laffey who was with the county this year, they have players of this quality all over the pitch and we know that there is a big challenge ahead,” Gerry said. “Having such a good win over St Mary’s and everyone expects St Mary’s to be in the shake up, to beat them by 11 points shows that Coolera/Strandhill are obviously flying. They are managed well and a very strong panel.”
Tourlestrane too clearly have an immensely strong panel too and this year has seen Gerry and Eamonn introduce some new young players into the fold. “We have blooded a few lads and we lost some too through injury and a few off the panel. I suppose we struggled a bit at times in the League but we have our strength back.”
Gerry credited the talent and experience there in the side but added everyone knows they have a big game ahead. “There are a few lads there who have been around for awhile but it counts for nothing if you don’t get past the next stage. It is nice to be there in the semi-final.”
In terms of three-in-a-row he said they are passing little heed. “We did the task of winning back to back last year if it happens it is just a stat looking at it really.
“We enter the Championship regardless of whether we go for three-in-a-row or not, it doesn’t matter.
“Coolera/Strandhill are going to have a big say on that, there is no point thinking about it, it is only a stat to throw at it.”
Tourlestrane are without Brian Egan who broke a bone in his leg a few weeks back but aside from that Gerry said they have everyone injury-free. “We don’t have any other injuries apart from Brian touch wood.
“It is great to be in another semi final. Coolera/Strandhill will expect to give a good account of themselves and beating St Mary’s by 11 points means they will be a tough test,” Gerry added.
IT IS GREAT TO BE IN ANOTHER SEMI FINAL. COOLERA/ STRANDHILL AFTER BEATING ST MARY’S WILL BE A TOUGH TEST.