BY ALAN RODGERS
MORE glory on the All-Ireland Vocational Schools front for Tyrone last Sunday has whetted the appetite of the players involved to maintain their impressive footballing progress.
Now the memorable experience of capturing a ninth national title in the grade is set to stand to many of the squad. And, the prospect of Minor success is beckoning even as they reflect on this latest significant achievement.
It's testament to the ongoing dominance of Tyrone Vocationals that few were getting carried away with the seven point win over Meath. Instead, the coaching work done within the sector is continuing to yield a steady stream of talented young players.
Team captain, Sean Robinson, Darren Carson, Kyle Coney, Paddy McNeice and Paul McAleer will all be hoping to enjoy even bigger days in the months ahead. Among them, too, is Beragh's Martin Rodgers who is in no doubt about the value of the All-Ireland win.
"Winning the Ulster and getting to the All-Ireland Final were the aims that were set when we started training last autumn. Brian (McGuckin) and Declan (O'Neill) told us constantly that they believed we could win this," said the Red Knights player.
"It's good to have proved them right, especially since it was for the Paul McGirr Cup. We had talked about Paul's contribution to Tyrone football and how he had scored the vital goal against Armagh and his example was something which we tried to follow.
"But things were getting a bit tough in the first half especially because Meath were hitting us hard and we were failing to get the ball in quick enough to the forwards.
"Brian and Declan told us that they couldn't wait for the half-time whistle. We talked about the way the game was going at the break and tried to fix our mistakes in the second half.
"I suppose the turning point was when they hit the crossbar and we came straight down the field to score. From then on we seemed to get into our stride and thankfully won well."
Forty years have passed since Tyrone won their first Vocational Schools All-Ireland. During the intervening period, the county has enjoyed regular triumphs and Sunday's title was their third in four years.
Schools like St Ciaran's Ballygawley, Dean Maguirc in Carrickmore, Holy Trinity Cookstown, St Joseph's Coalisland and the Sacred Heart in Omagh have all captured titles as well as providing quality players to the Tyrone team.
For Martin Rodgers, All-Ireland Skills Champion when the Feile Na Og was held in Tyrone in 2004, the value of the coaching received and the experience gained is clear.
"Our games with St Ciaran's were definitely a help because we were used to playing in front of fairly large crowds. The atmosphere at Clones was something that we weren't nervous about," he added.
"It's also good to be playing with the best Vocational players from all over Tyrone. We know each other's style and this meant that we were better able to play as a team for Tyrone.
"The likes of Martin McElhennon, Enda Kilpatrick and our managers deserve a lot of credit for this. The club coaches have also put a lot of effort in with these players and I think the results of that are beginning to show.
"We would have liked if the final had taken place in Croke Park, but maybe we'll get a chance to play there with the Minors later in the year. Brian told us that not to worry about where this or any match is played."
Now the aim of combining their strengths in the quest for Ulster and All-Ireland Minor success is the key target for the players from both fronts as their 2007 season continues.
