By Alan Rodgers
THE core qualities which catapulted Clonoe to a famous O'Neill Cup success last weekend will be called into action again on Sunday when they enter the Ulster Club with high hopes of making progress.
Some great battling laced with undoubted footballing skill provided the platform as the O'Rahilly's ousted champions Dromore. Now their sights are set firmly on St Eunan's of Letterkenny on the provincial stage.
Damien Cassidy and his players cut the celebrations short this week to concentrate on improving Tyrone's dismal record in the competition. Only Errigal Ciaran have managed to clinch the title, although dreams of reigning supreme at the end of this month are being kept in check in Clonoe for the moment.
Instead, they face Donegal opponents also anxious to enhance their reputation outside the domestic scene. St Eunan's have failed to win a game despite numerous attempts during the past number of years.
One of those who was key to Clonoe's success last week was attacker Colm Doris, who will have to sit out Sunday's clash because of an eight-week ban. He says the Ulster Club campaign was being mentioned as a target even before the 0-10 to 0-9 victory at Healy Park saw them become county champions for the first time since 1991.
"Our aim now is to go on and do Tyrone proud in Ulster. Before the County Final, Damien Cassidy was talking about the Ulster Club which just shows the ambition within this team. This chance mightn't come around again, so we've got to put in the effort now
"We had no fears entering the county final because he has instilled great belief into this team since becoming manager at the start of the year. The fact that Clonoe have beaten Carrickmore, Errigal Ciaran and Donaghmore meant that there was definite confidence," he said.
"It's a great feeling to be county champions because that's always the aim when you're playing football. This team has worked hard for the success and I think everyone knows what it means because so many players from Clonoe haven't enjoyed this.
"The players got back into training midweek, but it was just a case of loosening up and starting to focus on St Eunan's. The time factor doesn't come into it because we've been playing week after week all season.
"Last year Dromore went out and did Tyrone proud in the Ulster Club and were probably unlucky against Crossmaglen. There's no reason why we can't do the same."
St Eunan's have, of course, become the dominant force in Donegal football during the past number of seasons. Not surprisingly, the side is littered with county panellists, a sharp contrast with their Tyrone rivals. Players who will be expected to make their mark in the Ulster Club for them include Brendan Devenney, Kevin Rafferty, Rory Kavanagh, Conal Dunne and Mark McGowan. But they also have an impressive strength in depth, reflected in the fact that they are also bidding to capture the domestic league and championship double.
While the O'Rahilly's might not have had any involvement in either of Tyrone's minor or senior successes, their team is also littered with quality performers. With Doris missing , the likes of Stephen McNulty, Emmett Teague, Colm Donnelly and Aidan Brady will again be aiming to produce high class performances.
"We saw St Eunan's play a couple of weeks ago, but to be honest I didn't pay all that much attention. I know that Damien (Cassidy) has got a few videos, so we'll be studying them this week," added Colm Doris. It's just a matter of picking out their stronger players and concentrating on thwarting them. Everyone was talking about Dromore being potential Ulster winners and we went out on beat them.
"In the County Final Clonoe went out and showed plenty of determination, fight and commitment. That's what you also need in the Ulster Club, the poor weather will be a factor and you just have to tussle for every ball.
"Our achievement in winning this title is great, but we've got to move on. I only found out that it was fifty years since the club's first title, we had to wait seventeen years for this one and the challenge now is to build on the progress," he added.
A first round exit was the fate of the east Tyrone side on the last occasion that they entered the provincial stage. No doubt Damien Cassidy will be well aware of the desire to enhance their reputation beyond the O'Neill county boundaries come this weekend.
Few expected them to cause an upset at Healy Park last Sunday. Now the task is to again prove their worth by showing that those key strengths possessed by the new county champions are capable of making a mark on the provincial stage as well.
