One ‘Moor’ push needed from St Malachy’s

A PROUD Moortown club which has achieved at Tyrone senior level in previous decades are now aiming for an Ulster Intermediate Club title to inspire a new generation of young players.

It will be a big occasion for the St Malachy’s when they take on Steelstown in the provincial decider on Sunday at Glen (Maghera, throw-in 1pm). For a club raised on stories of O’Neill Cup success, this final offers the chance to make more history for the Loughshore side.

Impressive wins in the Tyrone championship secured the title, and they have maintained the momentum in Ulster too. Now the focus is very firmly on this latest challenge, and it’s set to be the toughest yet.

“This is a massive game for the club and the boys know that. These chances to win Ulster titles don’t come around too often,” said their manager Michael Hassan.

“It’s a massive, massive test for them. We defend as a unit and attack as a unit and if different players are out of position then others slot in.

“But that’s the way it has to be. Communication is key and it has got us through quite a lot of games on the defensive side of it. We know we’re going to have to step it up from the semi-final.

“Steelstown have quality forwards, and they have racked up high scores right through the championship. Ben McCarron has scored 5-38 I think, he’s a top quality player and has been playing for Derry seniors. Neil Forester is an experienced player as well.

“I have seen them a couple of times and they’re a quality team. They probably have a similar profile to ourselves – youth and experience mixed – so it has the ingredients for a great final.”

Great scenes of celebration have greeted Moortown’s three most recent victories – the Tyrone final and two in the Ulster Club. They have made their mark in impressive fashion and are relishing the thrill of still being involved in football over the Christmas and New Year period.

Suffice to say that there will be immense delight of they can pull off another memorable knock-out victory on Sunday.

“This is a great time to be out and a sign of success when you’re training in December or January,” added their manager.

“It has been great over the Christmas period because the lads had their bit of downtime. But they have trained hard as well. It’s all about trying to find that balance over that period.

“That’s one of the thing that myself and Niall and Tommy have been doing since the start of the year, instilling that discipline into them.

“They have bought into that, they have committed to each other, in terms of what’s expected of each other, especially over the holiday period.

“It is a difficult time, trying to get that balance, when there’s a lot of distractions. But they have trained hard, they have had a couple of nights to enjoy themselves, so we think we’re in a good place at the minute, and we’re ready to go.”