Hurling manager upbeat despite League Final loss

THE Tyrone hurlers are looking with confidence towards new challenges ahead, despite just failing to secure an historic Division 2B title-success in what was a highly entertaining final clash at the weekend.

An attendance of 2,063 watched the Red Hands fall just short against Derry on Saturday evening.

They led for long periods, before being pegged back in the closing stages, as the favourites confirmed their status as the top team in the division.

Now, Stephen McGarry and his players are preparing for the Christy Ring Cup, which starts later this month. The confidence gained from this clash and the National League generally is certain to prove crucial as they regroup in the coming weeks.

“The players have performed exceptionally well from the very first day against Derry,” said the team manager afterwards. “They have improved throughout the league campaign, and unfortunately just came upo short here. But I’m immensely proud of them.

“It’s a credit to Derry that they ended up pulling away there near the end. Probably a few breaks and a few decisions went against us. But we had enough opportunities to be in the game, and I was very proud to get to the closing stages and still have a winning chance.

“That was exactly where we wanted to get them to – that last 10 or 15 minute spell, but unfortunately we just came up short.

“ We got our shape down to a tee against the breeze. I think they weren’t causing us much threat. I know the mantra will be that they hit a lot of wides, but they were hitting wides under severe pressure by our defence,” added Stephen McGarry.

“I was very proud of the performance and obviously disappointed that we have’’t won a national title. We’re delighted with the progress we have made.

“If we think of where we have come from at the start of the year in November to this stage of competing in a National League final and coming away from it really disappointed that we haven’t won. There’s been tremendous progress.

“ Full credit to the players who have come in, they’re in there and they’re absolutely out on their feet. They have given it everything, and I couldn’t be any more proud.”

Tyrone’s Christy Ring campaign begins later this month with an important tie against London. They will also renew acquaintances with Derry once again in April in what will be the third tie between the counties this year.

They’ll further be hoping that the two week rest period will ease a number of concerns about injuries after an intense league campaign.

Included among them is Seamus Sweeney from Carrickmore Eire Og’s, who missed Saturday night’s clash.
“Seamus picked up a knock against Donegal with his achilles,” Stephen McGarry said.

“It was a huge blow to lose him, there’s no doubt about that. We have carried a few injuries and it has maybe exposed the squad depth a wee bit.

“But any man that steps into the jersey has done tremendously well.  It gives someone else an opportunity,” he concluded.