Rock drawing upon history says Carroll

By Alan Rodgers

A CHAMPIONSHIP season which has seen Rock defy the odds in brilliant fashion on numerous occasions is now reaching another milestone that will see them once again bidding to make their mark on the Ulster Club scene.

The St Patrick’s have emerged from their Tyrone Intermediate success with genuine provincial aspirations. An historic first has captured the imagination, and their supporters are relishing where this latest stage of the journey takes them in the time ahead.

But those hopes looked to be on the edge of ending at the first hurdle as their opening round clash last weekend approached the closing stages.

Three goals, though, brought them back from the brink. Now, they are hoping for more of the same against the Antrim champions, St Enda’s of Glengormley. It takes place this Saturday and represents another challenge that the St Patrick’s are embracing with enthusiasm and hope.

Odhran Carroll was one of their goalscorers as they recorded that great win over Rostrevor. He knows all about Rock’s impressive Ulster Club credentials, and is hoping that they can progress one step further in the competition.

“We are just trying to enjoy every single moment of this competition. Everybody knew that the Tyrone championship is so hard to get out of and the Ulster Club is about is going out to try and show how good we are,” he said.

“The club has already achieved so much this year. The first half was tough, but at half-time we believed that the time was right to really press on.

“Pomeroy and Naomh Eoghan were very tough teams who are as good as any in the Tyrone championship. We didn’t play to the best of our ability in the first half and then thankfully we stepped up in the second half.

“It’s great to be playing in the big matches. For me, it’s really special because this is my first season playing for the Rock seniors. Everybody has been saying about not taking this for granted because it doesn’t happen every year.”

At 17, Odhran has already been making impressive strides on the St Patrick’s side. His performances throughout this season have done much to help them win the Paddy Cullen Cup for the first time, and his goal last weekend was also highly significant.

He and the rest of the players will be aiming for more of the same this weekend against St Enda’s.

“It’s all about trying to make it as far as we can in Ulster. This is a huge opportunity for us,” he added.

“Rock have a great history of doing well in Ulster and All-Ireland Club competitions. That might have been at Junior level, but reaching the All-Ireland Final twice at Junior level is important.

“There are players on this team who have that experience in the past. That experience showed in the second half against Rostrevor and hopefully we can now go and give our best against St Enda’s.”