Derrygonnelly take on Tempo in Intermediate decider
DERRYGONNELLY and Tempo will battle it out on Sunday for the Fermanagh IFC title in Ederney.
Derrygonnelly will go into the game as favourites having pushed Kinawley all the way in the Senior Final recently and manager Garry Smyth was pleased with how his side put that defeat behind them to see off Newtownbutler last weekend to reach the decider.
“We were more than happy with how the players reacted to the disappointment of being edged out in the senior final .
“I had no concerns at all in that regard before the Newtownbutler game as there is great spirit and resolve within the group. With a week’s turnaround there was no time to dwell on the Kinawley result and as players there is nothing better than to have the opportunity to get back on the pitch to play competitive football. The enjoyment comes with playing games,” said Smyth, who felt that the two goals his side scored against the breeze in the first half were vital.
“The weather conditions were extremely poor for the game, but the Belnaleck pitch was in great condition, and both teams played some good football in spells .
“Our defence gave a good account of themselves against the wind in the first half and when you look back on it, the two goals when playing into the wind were key in the overall context of the game,” he added.
Smyth is expecting an attacking affair on Sunday and he knows that his side will have to be very aware of the threat of Blathin Bogue in particular.
“We know Tempo are always going to pose a threat. Generally games between the two teams are high scoring with free flowing football and I would expect this Sunday’s game to follow that pattern.
“They are well organised and full of running. When you go through their lineout it is laced with experience and ability, and in Blaithin Bogue they have a player who will cause any defence headaches.”
However, Smyth says that his players are relishing the challenge.
“Our players are working hard in training and that’s all you can ask. It will be a novel occasion with the game being played in Ederney which is a fine pitch, but it adds a different dimension to the final. In a one off game anything can happen but we are looking forward to it,” he commented.
Tempo manager Tiarnan Bogue accepts that his side will go into the game as underdogs against a strong Harps outfit.
“Derrygonnelly will be strong favourites for the weekend, and deservedly so,” said Bogue. “They are the Division One league champions and will feel that they were unlucky not to win the senior championship this year. They are a physically strong team with good positional awareness and ball playing ability throughout. They also have accurate forwards that can inflict real damage if given the opportunity.”
Tempo have already lost twice to Derrygonnelly this season but Bogue has been impressed with the work that his players have put in and felt they displayed maturity in their semi-final win over Brookeborough.
“Derrygonnelly will be a massive task on Sunday. We have played them twice already this year and have been beaten on both occasions.
“We have been very happy with how the girls have worked and trained since then and are delighted to have made the final. I felt we had a mature performance against Brookeborough in the semi final in what was very tough conditions. We look forward to the weekend,” he added.
He acknowledges though that they will have to be at their best to put it up to the Harps.
“We will need our best performance of the year if we are to make it a contest. We have shown in our most recent league fixture that we can be competitive with them, but it will require a 60 minute performance,” he stated.
However, they are likely to be without Cleona Bogue for the final after she picked up a knock against Brookeborough.
“Unfortunately, Cleona Bogue, one of our top performers this year, took a knock against Brookeborough in the semi final. We are yet to know the severity of it at the minute but with a week break between semi final and final, the game will probably come too soon for her,” said Bogue.