By Shaun Casey

CLANN Eireann manager Tommy Coleman believes the experience and knowhow of the Ulster Championship will stand to Derrygonnelly this weekend when the sides clash at Kingspan Breffni.

“They’ll see this as a great opportunity for themselves, those lads have been around for years and years. They know their way around Ulster and their certainly not going to be fazed and not going to be worried about a team like us.

“They really are very disciplined, very well structured, and keep their discipline in that structure. Some really, really good footballers, big and strong and physical and a lot of knowhow. We’re under no illusions of the task in front of us.”

The Lurgan men have shown unbreakable belief throughout the Armagh Championship and their Ulster opener.

They trailed Crossmaglen by six points at the second water-break in the county final while Creggan carried the same lead into the interval during their Ulster quarter-final.

Both times, the Orchard champions made heroic comebacks and that belief is something Coleman and his charges have been working on.

“We’ve always said because of the hard work we’ve put in, the fitness levels that’s there, we’re going to be there at the end. We’re going to be driving on. If we’re within striking distance as all, we know we can get there. The results have borne that out, Maghery, Ballymacnab and Cross and now Creggan, we just don’t quit. We always believe.”

A huge Tiernan Kelly effort from all of 50 yards brought Creggan into overtime and Clann Eireann pushed on from there.

“TK’s point, it was one of them days, it went for you. Probably one in a lifetime effort, but the way it sailed over, I knew once it went into extra time there was only going to be one outcome.

“If TK knew he was going to put it over then all the players and management team alike, there’s no doubt in our minds that’s what he was going to do. He stroked it over as calmly as you like and for a young lad 20 years of age in such a big arena, to do that is complementary to him, it was some kick,

“It was very reminiscent to the Derrygonnelly kick the day before (v Dromore), that (Conal) Jones scored. Those sort of scores to level it, the momentum change after that is colossal. Scores like that just knock the sails out of the opposition.”

The likes of Kelly, Conor Turbitt and Ryan Henderson have all displayed their ability on the county stage, but Coleman paid tribute to the lesser-known names. The likes of Conon O’Carroll, Daniel Magee, Adam Kelly and Sean McCarthy have been crucial to their success this season.

“They don’t get the recognition they deserve. Throughout the championship those boys have been instrumental in everything we have been doing. Take the likes of McCarthy’s job and what he done on Rian (O’Neill) in the final and he got no recognition for it whatsoever. He did a tremendous job. If you’re coming out even 50-50 with Rian O’Neill, you’ve done some job, he’s that high a calibre of player.”

McCarthy is likely to be handed another man-marking role on Saturday evening while Magee and Turbitt, back in the same venue were scored 2-2 on his Armagh debut in the 2020 McKenna Cup, will carry the scoring burden.

That is until Coleman releases his super-subs Jack Conlon and Ruairi McDonald whose impact when introduced was a major reason the Lurgan side captured championship glory for the first time in 58 years. Both players hit the net in the county final and had massive influences in the Creggan game as well and Coleman praised the attitude within the squad.

“They’re great grounded lads. They all know now it’s not about one to 15 and the entire squad knows that now. It’s about every man and it’s just what’s best for the squad on any given day. And that’s a credit to them. They’ve totally bought into what we’re doing as we totally believe in what they do. It’s just a great place to be in.”

While Clann Eireann will be the underdogs on Saturday, their boss, who also manages the senior ladies team in Ulster University, is looking forward to the challenge.

“We’ll have the upmost respect for Derrygonnelly, but we’re certainly going up with no fear. We’re going up there and we’re hopefully going to express ourselves and give it our best shot and see what happens on the night.”

BELIEF…Tommy Coleman said his Clann Eireann side has it in spades