Championship experience is standing to Tattyreagh

EVEN though they’re on the cusp of a second Intermediate Championship final appearance in three years, few people are giving Tattyreagh any chance of springing an upset against Edendork in today’s semi-final showdown.

That’s probably the way they like it – the Tatts have quietly gone about their business in this year’s campaign, following up a facile victory over Strabane with a tense two-point win over Beragh last Sunday afternoon.

Tattyreagh have a plethora of top club players who have been there and done it, and manager Martin McNulty thinks that their experience of digging out championship results paid dividends against Beragh at the weekend with two late James Darcy frees sealing the deal on the home straight.

“What you saw against Beragh was the experience of being in tough championship games before.

“It’s the sign of a good team that you still manage to win without playing particularly well. Beragh are a top side and we probably got the rub of the green on occasion. We’re just happy to get over the line.”

Tattyreagh had an entirely forgettable experience in Division One last year. Perhaps it was a bridge too far for a side that only recently escaped from the Junior ranks, but their new manager says the experience should stand to their younger players.

“Division One is full of top quality teams and when you get beat regularly it can be sore on a player’s confidence.

“But they still took something out of last year, there’s a couple of younger lads who played a bit of football in Division One, and they’re better footballers for it, and that’s probably showed in the championship this year.”

FULL STORY IN THURSDAY’S ULSTER HERALD