Dromore boss McCullagh braced for Ulster challenge

IN a field packed with provincial rookies, Dromore manager Colm McCullagh feels that in Derrygonnelly his side have been paired with one of the few contenders who know all about the tough terrain of Ulster Senior Club football.

St Dympna’s return to the Ulster stage for the first time in a decade when they ‘host’ the Harps at Pairc Colmcille in Carrickmore this Saturday lunchtime (Healy Park ruled out of the equation because of its ‘Winter Wonderland’ attraction).

Dromore have had three weeks to savour only their fourth ever O’Neill Cup triumph, secured in emphatic fashion with a brilliant second half display against Coalisland, with the likes of Emmett McNabb, Ryan McCusker and Niall Sludden starring.

Competing in the provincial arena remains a novelty for the ‘blues’ as it will be for several county representatives this winter, with a number making long overdue breakthroughs in their domestic Championships.

However that certainly won’t be the case for Derrygonnelly who wrapped up their sixth Fermanagh senior title in seven years last week when easily accounting for Enniskillen Gaels in the decider. Colm McCullagh appreciates that in terms of Ulster experience the opposition will hold the edge this Saturday.

“ There is a lot of new names in the Ulster Club this year. There definitely is fresh names in the field which you wouldn’t have seen in the past. There is ourselves, Clann Eireann, Creggan, Glen- teams that haven’t been in Ulster for quite some time. But it’s good to see different clubs coming through in different counties. Derrygonnelly and Kilcoo would probably be regarded as the two most experienced. Derrygonnelly will have played in it the last six out of seven years.

“ There was none last year when Ederney won the Fermanagh Championship so Derrygonnelly have been their only representative going back some time now and reached a few semi-finals as well. They have that bit of tradition in it now.”

While Derrygonnelly’s litany of success in Fermanagh might suggest to the outsider they receive very little competition within the Erne County, McCullagh believe they had to work hard for their title this year.

“ They are a very good side. They beat Ederney the defending champions after a replay and they were probably their closest challengers. They also had a replay in the semi-final so a bit like ourselves they really had to tough it out to win their Championship. They managed to come through it and were very impressive in the final.

“ I was up at their final with Enniskillen. I suppose you just go back to the experience factor again. Enniskillen are a younger side and getting to the final will probably do them good in the long run. But Derrygonnelly have a lot of good players. You look at those Jones’ lads who just controlled the game for them. They pulled the strings and they were able to see the match out handy enough.”

Dromore have rung the changes for their most recent two league matches in Division One, with McCullagh resting up his charges for the impending provincial series. The manager stresses that the three week break was vital to enable his squad to recuperate from a taxing, albeit successful, Tyrone campaign.

“ When you talk about the days when we played in Ulster there always seemed to be a quick turnaround. You had your celebrations and then there might have been just a week before going straight into playing in the Ulster Championship. Preparation just wasn’t right at all.

“ I suppose for ourselves this year two weeks would have been no good for us either to be honest. We needed the three weeks because we had five games in the Championship having been drawn in the preliminary round. We also had two matches which went to extra-time so that does take its toll on the body after a while.”

McCullagh starred between the white lines the last time that Dromore competed in the Ulster Club and while they failed to get their hands on the silverware on those prior occasions (2007, ‘09, ‘11) he remembered the buzz in the build-up to meeting some of the province’s top teams.

“ We had some memorable days out alright. The Mayobridge games stand out. We drew in Omagh but then beat them in the replay in Newry.

“ We would still be kicking ourselves looking back at the Crossmaglen game. They beat us by a point. We got off to a bad start but we finished strong. We had chances to get back level but just couldn’t take them.

“ But winning the Tyrone Championship gives the whole community a lift and now you get the chance to represent not only them but your whole county in Ulster. It’s an opportunity which doesn’t come along too often.

“ At this time of year it’s definitely something to look forward to. People still love to get out and follow their club and to so in the Ulster Championship is extra special for the community.”