Hurling boss McGarry happy now to have a break

HOME ties against Leinster teams Kildare and Wicklow now away the Tyrone hurlers after their Christy Ring relegation fears were eased thanks to a narrow first victory over Sligo in the competition at the weekend.

It means that the Red Hands have at least some breathing space as they relish a two week break from the action. With Kildare up next, the campaign will conclude with what looks certain to be an absolutely crucial clash against Wicklow later this month.

There was no doubting the satisfaction of the squad in the aftermath of their away win over the Connacht side on Saturday. But it could and perhaps should have been a lot more clear-cut than the 2-17 to 2-14 scoreline suggests after the home team came with a dramatic late revival.

Nevertheless, team manager, Stephen McGarry was pleased with the workrate of the players. They will now regroup in Garvaghey this week ahead of what’s expected to be a really tough outing against Kildare on May 10.

“We are definitely relieved and delighted. This was a game that the lads probably targeted since the start of the Christy Ring and circumstances eventually dictated how much we had to target this one especially concerning injuries,” he said.

“This was to be the target for a couple of the injured players to get them out here to play even if they weren’t one hundred percent fit. They did that and they were brilliant and it’s full testament to the players that they did that.

“Sligo a very good team and the top end of Division 2B and Division 3A isn’t that different. We put ourselves into a really good position and unfortunately things became a little bit frantic due to a couple of poor decisions near the end.

“After losing the opening games against London and Derry, this is a massive victory. There was probably a lit bit of self-doubt because other teams do target us for two points. But it’s massive in the context of the competition because it puts us in a great position even though it doesn’t guarantee us anything.”

Tyrone, Sligo and Wicklow are probably in the lower half of the table, as Kildare, London and Derry will most likely battle for the title. That’s why the final two games against both Kildare and Wicklow will be so important for the Red Hands as they aim to consolidate their current status.

The return of Sean Duffin, Joe McToal, Tiernan Morgan and Sean Og Grogan among others was a boost last weekend, and they’ll be hoping to have more available to strength things another notch ahead of the tie against the Lilywhites.

“Kildare will definitely be tough because they have operated at a far
higher level than ourselves.

“We’ll be realistic about our chances, but we’ll go out, hurl to the best of our ability and give that game everything,” added McGarry.

“Our aim will be to go out and perform, just as it has been throughout this year so far and irrespective of the opposition.

“It’s been a a gruelling schedule, but victories like the one we got against Sligo make it all worthwhile.

“We’ll let the players freshen up a bit and let them enjoy a bit of time to themselves. They have given everything to this.

“We ask for honesty and hard work and got that in abundance against Sligo.”