Proud moment for Sludden household

By Niall Gartland

NIALL Sludden was a thoroughly deserving recipient of the Man of the Match award in Dromore’s Jim Devlin Cup final victory over Clonoe last Wednesday evening – but he certainly wasn’t the only member of the Sludden household that made his mark in the rebooted competition.

His three brothers – Ruairi, Oran and Tiarnan – were also part of the starting team against Clonoe, as well as their previous matches in the tournament. Speaking after the game, Sludden, who weighed in with four superb points from play, acknowledged that it was an extra reason to savour some early season silverware.

“We were trying to think when that last happened before this year. It’s a proud moment for us, and we have a cousin on the team, Ryan McCusker, so we would count him as well.

“It’s a proud moment not just for ourselves, but my mum and dad as well and hopefully that keeps going.”

One of the siblings – Ruairi – lined out in the goalkeeping position during the Jim Devlin Cup, stepping in for injured ‘keeper Mark McGale. Ruairi, who was part of the Tyrone senior intercounty set-up a few years back, certainly acquitted himself well in the unfamiliar role.

Niall said: “Mark has picked up an injury, so Ruairi, or ‘Rolo’ as they call him, has decided he wants to go into nets.

“And the way things are going at the moment, it’s understandable with a lot of ‘keepers coming out the field, that sense of risk and reward.”

He continued: “It will be up to Mark now too to push Ruairi to get his spot back.

“But I know the potential that Ruairi has. He has been away from us for a couple of years, and he’s another great player to get back in, and we’re delighted to have him back.”

Sludden’s recent decision to call it a day with Tyrone after a long and distinguished playing intercounty career means that he can devote more of his time to his club.

He doesn’t anticipate hanging up the boots for good for at least another few years, and that should be music to the ears of all involved with Dromore.

“I have given a number of years of service, and loved it too, playing for my county.

“Going to the Tyrone matches there recently I was a bit sad to be watching. You miss that buzz and being out with the lads, but I’m fully behind them.”

He added: “I’m totally devoted now to the club and to giving something back. They have given so much to me, and I want to give back. I have a couple more years left in me, hopefully. I’m not getting any younger, but I believe I can still give a few more years.”

Dromore looked slick and sharp throughout the Jim Devlin Cup and now they’ll switch their focus to their All County League campaign, which commences with a tough test against Loughmacrory at the end of the month.

“Every game is a tough one, but away to Loughmacrory is very tough. You saw last year what they did against Trillick in the championship.

“We need to get the bodies recovered again, there’s a few reserve games in between that too, and we’ll get ready for a big battle up there in the ‘Lough.”

By Niall Gartland

NIALL Sludden was a thoroughly deserving recipient of the Man of the Match award in Dromore’s Jim Devlin Cup final victory over Clonoe last Wednesday evening – but he certainly wasn’t the only member of the Sludden household that made his mark in the rebooted competition.

His three brothers – Ruairi, Oran and Tiarnan – were also part of the starting team against Clonoe, as well as their previous matches in the tournament. Speaking after the game, Sludden, who weighed in with four superb points from play, acknowledged that it was an extra reason to savour some early season silverware.

“We were trying to think when that last happened before this year. It’s a proud moment for us, and we have a cousin on the team, Ryan McCusker, so we would count him as well.

“It’s a proud moment not just for ourselves, but my mum and dad as well and hopefully that keeps going.”

One of the siblings – Ruairi – lined out in the goalkeeping position during the Jim Devlin Cup, stepping in for injured ‘keeper Mark McGale. Ruairi, who was part of the Tyrone senior intercounty set-up a few years back, certainly acquitted himself well in the unfamiliar role.

Niall said: “Mark has picked up an injury, so Ruairi, or ‘Rolo’ as they call him, has decided he wants to go into nets.

“And the way things are going at the moment, it’s understandable with a lot of ‘keepers coming out the field, that sense of risk and reward.”

He continued: “It will be up to Mark now too to push Ruairi to get his spot back.

“But I know the potential that Ruairi has. He has been away from us for a couple of years, and he’s another great player to get back in, and we’re delighted to have him back.”

Sludden’s recent decision to call it a day with Tyrone after a long and distinguished playing intercounty career means that he can devote more of his time to his club.

He doesn’t anticipate hanging up the boots for good for at least another few years, and that should be music to the ears of all involved with Dromore.

“I have given a number of years of service, and loved it too, playing for my county.

“Going to the Tyrone matches there recently I was a bit sad to be watching. You miss that buzz and being out with the lads, but I’m fully behind them.”

He added: “I’m totally devoted now to the club and to giving something back. They have given so much to me, and I want to give back. I have a couple more years left in me, hopefully. I’m not getting any younger, but I believe I can still give a few more years.”

Dromore looked slick and sharp throughout the Jim Devlin Cup and now they’ll switch their focus to their All County League campaign, which commences with a tough test against Loughmacrory at the end of the month.

“Every game is a tough one, but away to Loughmacrory is very tough. You saw last year what they did against Trillick in the championship.

“We need to get the bodies recovered again, there’s a few reserve games in between that too, and we’ll get ready for a big battle up there in the ‘Lough.”