Ferguson enjoying Edendork’s historic run

By Shaun Casey

IT’S been an exceptional few days for Edendork. From winning the Tyrone Senior Championship for the first time ever to nabbing a win in Ulster.

The Red Hand representatives were too strong for Down’s Clonduff at Páirc Esler, Newry on Saturday evening, heading home with a five-point win and a spot in the quarter-final secured.

It would have been easy for Brian McGuckin’s men to have partied they whole week after capturing the O’Neill Cup, but they want to give Ulster their best shot.

“There’s been a bit of chaos I suppose, and it still hasn’t really hit me, it’s still a pinch yourself moment,” said battling midfielder Luke Ferguson.

“The managers got the team sorted and didn’t let the celebrations go on too long. We saw it in previous years with Tyrone teams, maybe expect for Errigal Ciaran, they forget about Ulster.

“There’s a great opportunity there to get a run in Ulster. We thought about that all last week, we’d a few niggles, even myself but thankfully we got over the line against a really good Clonduff team.”

Edendork were on top for most of the preliminary round contest, but Clonduff pushed them all the way and searched for goals in the final few minutes, but the Edendork defensive repelled their advances on numerous occasions.

“That’s something we’ve definitely improved on, in previous years and even in the league campaign, our defensive play wouldn’t have been up to scratch,” Ferguson added.

“In the championship, it’s one thing we’ve been excellent at. When we’re down and out and the opposition are on the counterattack, we just don’t want to concede goals. A point here or there will do the job.

“The defence has pulled us out of so many games in the championship and on Saturday night, they pulled us out again.”

There’s no time to rest on their laurels as Edendork are straight back into action again this weekend, a fourth championship encounter in as many weeks.

This time, it’s Antrim champions St Brigids who are in the other corner, at O’Neill Park, Dungannon, with a place in the Ulster semi-finals up for grabs.

“I don’t know much about them but I’m sure, the way our management are, they know plenty about them already or they will in the next couple of days.

“People maybe say we could have done with the extra bit of recovery but, except for injuries, I think playing week on week is excellent to get a bit of momentum.

“I probably could have done with two weeks after the final with a bit of a knock I got but that’s just the way it is and I got through the game. You don’t really want to stay off too long because it’s good that the games are coming week on week.”