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"Lots Of Stories Being Told" - County Champs Facing Quick Turn-Around For Provincial Action

"Lots Of Stories Being Told" - County Champs Facing Quick Turn-Around For Provincial Action
Niall McIntyre
By Niall McIntyre
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Doon, Tinahely, Errigal Ciaran and Abbeylara all face quick turn-arounds, with their provincial campaigns beginning this weekend.

It's the same story for intermediate clubs Newcastlewest (Limerick), Fr Manning Gaels (Longford) and a number of junior clubs such as Fenagh-Kilmeedy (Limerick).

The Wicklow, Tyrone and Longford county finals were all postponed due to storm Ashley, pushing them back a week to last weekend, forcing the issue in ways.

But the Limerick finals didn't face the same disruption, having been fixed for last weekend from a long way out.

It might be a different story for Errigal Ciaran, having won the Tyrone championship just two years ago, giving them experience of provincial club football.

But the Doon, Tinahely and Abbeylara players have no such experience, bringing them into unknown territory.

Eoin Darcy of Tinahely in action against Cian Lee of Baltinglass during the Wicklow County Senior Football Championship Final match between Tinahely and Baltinglass at Joule Park in Aughrim, Wicklow. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile

Ending a long famine - as those three clubs did - can also lead to greater and more passionate celebrations, perhaps taking away from their preparation for this weekend.

Speaking on The Smaller Fish GAA podcast, Doon's Darragh O'Donovan was critical of the arrangement.

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"We're going to try and represent Limerick with as much pride and honour as we can. But I don't want to dampen the spirits of what's just happened in Doon," he said ahead of their clash with Ballygunner.

"It's probably a bit unfair, a seven day turnaround.

"It's really unfair now. It really bugs me in terms of GAA calendars. The powers-that-be, they know best seemingly...but we'll still enjoy our week," he added.

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Tinahely were back training on Tuesday night, 'sweating it out,' according to their selector David Dillon, with a clash against Portarlington on the horizon this Sunday.

"If we had another week, we wouldn't have been back last night. We might have got another day out of it, maybe not celebrating, but another day's recovery at least...."

"Lads were shook enough.

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"We didn't do an awful lot. It was just about getting some sort of normality back in, 45 or 50 minutes. Help lads sleep if nothing else," he says.

"But we played a few matches, it got them going again, they're competitive lads, that's the way they are.

"There was lots of stories being told, laughing at things that happened, sure that's all part of it too. You can't go back to 100% straight way."

Errigal Ciaran also face a quick turn-around. Sportsfile.

Many of Tinahely's players are taking part in the club's lip-sync fundraiser on Saturday night, before making the trip to O'Moore Park on Sunday.

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"We'll train Friday, head up Sunday."

"There's talk of getting a bus up to all go up together. It's all new territory for us. We've a big fundraiser Saturday night, a lip-sync thing, which is a bit of a pity.

"Five of the groups in that would involve senior players. They'll still do it, without the few drinks that might help you getting up on stage. The focus will be back on the match, and it will warm them up for Sunday."

"It's bonus territory in a way, but you sit them lads down in a dressing room - they're there to win too, no matter what game they play."

Read More: Five Clubs Who Have Never Won An All-Ireland That Have A Great Shot This Year

 

 

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