Tubbercurry anticipating a great final with rivals

THEY are neighbours that have such a strong GAA tradition and Sunday should be a splendid final, according to Tubbercurry manager Pat Kilcoyne.

His side saw past fellow south Sligo outfit Coolaney/Mullinabreena on Saturday by 2 points and now face Tourlestrane in the mouth-watering tie on Sunday in Quigabar at 4pm.

Pat has his troops ready and waiting and the countdown is very much on he told the Sligo Champion.

“We are all set now and the countdown to Sunday is on. I suppose the only thing we were thinking about before Saturday was the semi final but now we have a final to look forward to and prepare for.”

He said having just one week to get the team ready can be a positive thing.

“It can be a great thing in one way and we were waiting 6 weeks for the semi final which was a long time and it can be very hard to keep the cohesion going.”

He knows Tourlestrane are a strong side and with three-in-arow on their horizons, Tubbercurry have a job to do. “Tourlestrane are a very seasoned team, very organised and a great team and great club.

“They have shown that in the last 2 years winning back to back titles.”

Going back to the semi final with Coolaney/Mullinabreena, he said Padraig McGourty’s men really showed their calibre.

“I think scoreboard at times probably flattered us and there were times we were playing second fiddle but it came right in the end.

“We had a good start to each half and that stood to us. “Coolaney/Mullinabreena brought it back to 2 points and it was getting a bit nervous but thankfully the final whistle went.

“The penalties were definitely penalties and they were both well taken.”

Ahead to Sunday and there are a few knocks from Saturday’s semi final but Pat is hoping they will be fine for the final.

“A few of the lads had to go off but hopefully they will all be fit for Sunday. A few of the lads got a few knocks and the week is very short in terms of that but hopefully all will be fit.”

Tubbercurry have a great mix of youth and experi- ence and Pat attributes much of this to a lot of good work and success coming from underage. “Last year winning the U21 brought in a lot and also the minor league and being in the minor championship final too with Tourlestrane a good few of those lads are on the team.

“There is huge rivalry between Tubbercurry and Tourlestrane and everyone knows each other inside out. “The lads all go to school together and are the best of buddies and it’s great to have that rivalry there too come Sunday.

“Everyone wants the bragging rights and we want to get it, finals are all about winning, we play who is in front of us, it doesn’t matter who we beat.

“There is such a good tradition there in both clubs with GAA.

“Tubbercurry is a great championship club with the most number of titles.

“We are 2 very proud clubs and GAA is very strong in South Sligo and the lads all play with St Attracta’s where there is a lot of good work being done and they all gel well together, wanting to play and compete at the highest level. It will be a big day too for Enniscrone and I hope everyone enjoys their day and football is the winner.”

Are Tubbercurry paying much heed to Tourlestrane’s hopes of three-ina-row? “We see it as another game and we could say we are going for our three-in-a-row too but it’s our first one!,” Pat added.