By Barry O'Donnell
RECAPTURING the momentum and winning habit nurtured during their pre-Christmas campaign will be the objective of Omagh CBS when they emerge from winter hibernation this weekend for the business end of the MacRory Cup.
The Kevlin Road boys face St Pat's Maghera in the quarter-final on Sunday afternoon in Derrytresk (throw-in 2.30pm) well aware that the slate is now wiped clean despite their impressive showings in the group phase of the competition.
A series of excellent displays in November and December culminated in a hard-fought 0-14 to 1-8 victory over St Mary's Magherafelt in the MacCormick Cup Final but after lifting the subsidiary prize, all thoughts now turn to the top provincial trophy in Ulster Colleges football.
The side's fortunes are being steered once again by Noel Donnelly and Ciaran McBride, the successful management tandem who led the school to that glorious MacRory and Hogan Cup double triumph three seasons ago.
A 100 per cent winning record up till now has marked the Brothers out again as one of the front runners for honours this term and with the side backboned by half-a-dozen members of Omagh St Enda's victorious Ulster Club squad they will not be wanting in terms of confidence.
With the St Paul's tournament drawn out over an additional three weeks due to the snow and frost, the CBS preparations have been slightly disrupted though Noel Donnelly was philosophical about the situation.
" At the end of the day you could do nothing about the weather and lets remember the lads are going to be playing for their clubs long after they finish with the school in their career so it was a big, big opportunity for them and they seized it with both hands.
" It was great to see them win the St Paul's event and the fact that they got through two tough matches which went to extra time speaks volumes for their character and their leadership. You can have all the raw talent in the world but you need the courage and mental strength to go with that and the St Enda's boys showed that.
" They've been back training with us a week now and their attitude and focus has been first class. They're desperate to do just as well with the school."
Indeed the match sharpness and competitive edge instilled in the St Enda's contingent because of their protracted Club run could benefit the Omagh CBS this Sunday. Traditionally the quarter-final has proven a tricky assignment for many supposed favourites, with teams coming out of cold storage after two months of inactivity. Noel acknowledges that the start of the knock out phase perennially represents a step into the unknown.
" Everyone likes to get a run of matches and to build up a head of steam but as you enter this phase of the MacRory Cup it becomes do or die. All eight teams will have had their build-up effected by the poor weather but they will be well-prepared for the weekend.
" I've always said that we can't worry about what other teams have done or how their preparations have gone. It's all about ensuring our own approach and mettle is right for what awaits us and I'm confident the fellas are level-headed enough to deal with that."
The Brothers have a side laced with players of undoubted talent and big match savvy. Niall Sludden and Thomas Canavan form part of a tight, knit and industrious defensive unit, while Sean Warnock and Conan Grugan provide a solid and dependable partnership around midfield. Further up the field the penetrating bursts of Ronan O'Neill, allied to the reliable shooting skills of John McCullagh and Conor Clarke, among others, mark them out as livewire contenders.
Eight of the team were involved in last year's painful loss to St Pat's Dungannon in the March 17th decider at Healy Park, so will be doubly determined to go one better this time around. Noel stresses that memories of that setback should be harnessed in a positive manner.
" The boys have played with great assuredness and conviction this season. You can't erase what happened in last year's final, you just have to learn from it and push on to respond to new challenges. There's no point ruing hard-luck stories from the past."
South Derry opponents St Pat's were once the premier Colleges force in the province but while their standing has diminished somewhat in recent years, the CBS joint manager still has massive respect for the Maghera school.
" Themselves and St Colman's have enjoyed unrivalled success in the MacRory Cup and while people talk about the emergence of the Tyrone schools, you still have to admire their pedigree and tradition.
" Any time Tyrone and Derry cross swords in a football match, no matter the level, it's going to be a tough competitive encounter and Sunday will be no different."
