Killyclogher boss Bradley would like earlier league ACL start

VICTORIES for Dromore and Ardboe in the two pre-season Tyrone GAA Cup competitions have paved the way for the start of All-County League Division One later this month.

Action, of course, has already begun in the new Junior ‘B’ division. But now the countdown is really getting underway towards the start of matches in the Senior, Intermediate and Junior ‘A’ grades, which is currently scheduled for the weekend of May 9th-11th.

The St Dympna’s defeated Donaghmore in the Jim Devlin Cup Final, while Ardboe ousted Omagh in the Frank O’Neill Cup decider. The McGarrity Cup decider between Cookstown and Strabane is scheduled for this Friday evening in Carrickmore

Now the stage is set for the All-County Leagues. It’s what clubs have been training for since the early months of this year. Whatever happens, the coming summer months are certain to produce plenty of intriguing matches, star performances and surprise results as the various relegation and promotion issues became clearer.

Killyclogher manager, Eoin Bradley, has been busy preparing them for the season ahead. He feels that pre-season competitions have been useful in introducing younger payers especially to the rigours of club action at first team level.

“Our leagues in Tyrone are probably the best in Ireland, but it would be good in my view if we started a week or two earlier. Getting challenges matches is next to impossible at the minute,” he said.

“I know that last year, Killyclogher played four games in about ten days. They were just crammed in at the end and we were probably forced to out out a weakened team against Errigal Ciaran in the last league game.

“That is not good for anyone. Talking to a lot of people in other counties, they all admire our leagues and how competitive they are. It would be good to see games a week apart throughout the season rather than being crammed near the finish.”

Killyclogher, of course, are recent league champions, and while the race for the O’Neill Cup continues to take precendence, the title of Division One champions and with it the Brendan Dolan Cup is also much sought after.

Of course, things are arguably even more competitive in Divisions Two and Three where there is the added incentive of promotion.

“It’s good that the leagues are starting in May because it gives lads downtime. I know we didn’t start training until March this year, so you’re able to give lads a good two or three months off so they’re fit to go and do running or whatever else,” added Bradley.