Accies’ new boy is out to lift the trophy again against old mates
Reghan Tumilty revealed Raith Rovers’ SPFL Trust Trophy win celebrations last year were cut short, and replaced by match analysis for a league clash with Dunfermline.
The Hamilton Accies fullback, however, hopes to be able to properly toast cup success this season if he gets the better of his old team.
Tumilty was part of the Raith Rovers side which got their hands on the trophy 12 months ago with the Final win over Queen of the South.
However, they were unable to properly celebrate it as they had a league encounter with Dunfermline three days later.
So instead of being out on the town, they were back in training the following day, and doing video analysis work with then Rovers manager, John McGlynn, as they prepared to meet the Pars.
Tumilty said: “It was a good run in the tournament that we had. I think at the stage we were at, Raith were having to win games.
“We were going through a dodgy period, and John McGlynn took it very seriously as a competition.
“To get to that Final was a great thing, so to be in the Final here as well is fantastic. Hopefully we can make a good day out of it.
“Matiej Poplatnik turned into prime Wayne Rooney that day, and I think he won us the game!
“When you get to the Final it’s a good one to win.
“How did we celebrate it? We didn’t do anything!
“We were training the next day because we had a game on Wednesday, so we didn’t really celebrate it at all.
“It was all football. We were watching John McGlynn’s video analysis, so we didn’t really celebrate it, but it was good to win, and good to look back on it.
“We’re aiming to win, but we’ve got to concentrate on the league.
“This is, I suppose, good to take our minds off it and, if we can win, it will set us up confidence-wise for the league.
“Hopefully, we do get to celebrate it, but we do need to remember we’re in a relegation battle.
“Not many people get to a Final and win one, so to have the opportunity to have two in a row is great for me.
“I hope it turns out right, so I can say I’ve won something in my career.
“It is quite special, and a special day for the fans. They’re not going to see their team win many finals, or even be in a cup final.
“You either get put out of this cup first off when you play the youth team – as some managers do – or other managers like to take it serious.
“When you get to the final stages of it, it is a good day out and it’s something to look forward to, as a player and a fan.
“So the whole social side of it for the fans is brilliant.”
Tumilty joined Hamilton after leaving Hartlepool United prior to their semifinal win over Queen of the South.
Although he can’t take too much credit for their run to the Final, he hopes he gets the better of his old club and lifts the trophy for a second-successive season.
He said: I can’t really take many compliments for this tournament. I’ve not really played much for this team yet.
“I came just as they played Queen of the South. I got on for about 20 minutes or something, so the team have done well to get to this stage.
“Hopefully we can go on and win it, and the fans will be there backing us.
“I was with Liam Dick for a coffee this week, telling him how many times I’m going to nutmeg him.
“The boys at Raith were great to play with.
“The team there hasn’t changed much, and I know they’re a good footballing side. It’s going to take a lot to beat them.
“The shackles will be off us from the league, and we aim to put in a good performance – and win.”