County Final buzz now gripping Trillick stalwart

AWAY back in 1986, Liam Donnelly was captain of the Trillick team which continued a golden era for the club by winning a sixth O’Neill Cup title in just 12 years.

They defeated Dungannon in that final and now he finds himself as a selector as the St Macartan’s prepare for another O’Neill Cup showdown against the Clarkes.

But, whatever about the opposition, the buzz of the County Final never diminishes. After defeating Coalisland in the semi-final by 2-13 to 1-12, Liam Donnelly, the Trillick backroom team and the manager, Nigel Seaney are hoping to guide a new generation of players to their third title.

“The buzz never leaves us for a County Final because it’s a special place. It’s great to be preparing for another one now in two weeks’ time,” he said.

“Retaining the title is something that we’ve honestly never even looked at. It has always been about the next game and thank God we are now back in the final,” he said.

“We’ll prepare for the game as best we can in the next two weeks, turn up on the day and see how things go.”

“It took character and some bit of experience for us to come through this game. Every team gets a purple patch in Tyrone championship football and this game was no different when Coalisland enjoyed theirs right at the end of normal time.