By Alan Rodgers
AN Ulster Final place to further boost the confidence of a young team is the big target for Fintona as their provincial club campaign continues with a key clash against the Cavan champions at Roslea on Saturday afternoon.
It has been a brilliant season for the Pearses so far. Double success in Tyrone ensured them their place back in the Intermediate ranks for 2027. Now the Ulster Intermediate championship is their focus, and Lacken are certain to provide a stiff challenge this weekend.
Fintona, of course, are beginning to reap the benefits of a big emphasis on youth development. A host of their players have experience at schools level and with the Tyrone Minors and U-20s, winning Ulster and All-Ireland titles. Add in numerous domestic triumphs, including a first ever Tyrone Minor title, and the trajectory is very much on the up.
Joint team managers, Connor O’Donnell and Cathal McCarron, are relishing their first year in the post. But they’re well aware of the challenge posed by a Lacken team who have experience of senior football in the Breffni county and defeated Ballyhegan of Armagh last time out.
“Lacken are really a senior team in Cavan. They are a big physical team with a lot of experience. Raymond and Thomas Galligan are just two of their top players,” said Connor O’Donnell.
“We won Tyrone and one of the first things we heard was about this Lacken side and how hard they would be to beat. They were five points down against Ballyhegan, were down by a player and came back and won.
“It just shows how strong they are and what they’re capable of when the pressure is on.”
Fintona, though, have also shown impressive resilience. Relegation last year was met with determination, and they have bounced back in the most impressive. Now thge memory of their last Ulster appearance back in 2023 is also inspiring them.
“Fintona have regretted losing their semi-final to another Cavan team, Blackhill in 2023. Now they have the chance to put that right and reach the Ulster Final for the first time,” added O’Donnell.
“They want to make their own bit of history and Ulster has been the full focus since winning Tyrone. They are a hungry group, they’ve really rocked in since the county final and the training since the Urris game has probably been our best this year.
“But all that will count for little if we don’t win on Saturday. So many of these games in Ulster come down to a late point and right to the wire because all the teams are champions of their own counties. We feel it’s going to be the same in this game.
“This is all about building confidence within the squad and the club. The development plans for Fintona are impressive and the club is generally determined to improve. We feel that the club is going places and hopefully in the next few years we will be aiming for senior football.
“A good number of players have experience with Tyrone and at schools level. That has given them confidence, they have taken time to adopt but are growing in each game and want success.”