By Shaun Casey

TULLYSARAN will be playing in the Senior Championship next season for the first time in their history having recently captured the Division 2A league title, gaining automatic promotion.

The club has made massive strides over the last decade, as described by their captain Matthew Kernan. For years, they struggled to win the Junior Championship, but now they can call themselves a senior club.

Tullysaran eventually got over the line in 2015 before reaching the Intermediate Championship decider the following year, coming up short against Whitecross. Now, they’re targeting an Intermediate league and championship double.

“Listen, it was brilliant for everyone,” said Kernan. “We understand it’s not the biggest trophy than can be won this year in Intermediate, but it was a big moment for the community.

“It’s ten years this October since we won our first Junior Championship so for us to be going up to senior ten years after that is a fantastic achievement.”

Kernan and his teammates are hoping that the momentum of their league success, where they lost just twice throughout the entire campaign, will see them carry a lot of confidence into the upcoming championship.

“The past couple of years we’ve known that we have very good players and talented individuals, but consistency has been our issue,” the Tullysaran centre half-back continued.

“We’ve had some big wins in the past couple of years but it’s about following that up. Bringing that consistency into the championship is important, which we probably haven’t done in the past two seasons.”

Tullysaran face a difficult group stage in the championship, and they will face 2022 winners Shane O’Neill’s, along with Wolfe Tones and Clann Eireann IIs, who both reached the last four of the competition in 2024.

“There’s no easy games, especially with Shane’s,” Kernan added, looking ahead to the championship. “It’s not that long ago that they were up playing senior there a few years ago and with their county men back now, they’re a very good side.

“Clann Eireann IIs are always a difficult prospect, they caught Pearse Og on the hop last year after winning the Division 2A league so again we’re aware of what their capabilities are.

“With Wolfe Tones, we’ve had some great games against them over the years. They’re a great side and I’m sure that every side will fancy their chances heading into the group stages.”