Talented Naomh Treasa go in search of Ulster glory

By Niall Gartland

THE fiercely talented camogs of Naomh Treasa go in pursuit of provincial glory when they take on Middletown in Sunday’s Ulster Junior ‘B’ Championship final.

The Dungannon-based side are no strangers to Ulster final day and they embarked on a memorable run to All-Ireland honours in the delayed 2020 competition, eventually concluding in late 2021.

They qualified for this year’s Ulster Junior Championship showdown with a victory over Donegal side Markievicz last weekend, the final scoreline of 6-14 to 1-2 a fair assessment of their dominance on the day.

Naomh Treasa can call upon a host of talented players who starred in Tyrone’s best season in some time at intercounty level including Cara Little, Roisin McErlean, Eimear Colton, Becky Santos, while dual performers Grainne Rafferty and Aine McNulty are also crucially important players.

They’re managed on the sidelines by Dean McParland, an Armagh man, and he says he’s been welcomed with open arms by the thriving and ambitious club,

“They’ve been brilliant, they can’t do enough for you. The chairperson Deirdre Barker and the rest of the committee are always there if you need anything.

“I’ve got great help on the line, I’ve another fella from Armagh in with me, Cormac Toner, and he’s a big source of assistance.

“Dungannon have a great set up, the pitch, the floodlights, the wall ball. You’re never stuck, you always get a slot somewhere along the line so you can do your training.”

It’s McParland’s second season in charge and they’ve continued to make strides under his tutelage. Last year they brought a hugely successful Eglish team to a replay in the Tyrone Senior Championship final, while this season they’re making their mark in the provincial scene.

“We were very unlucky not to pip Eglish in that county final, they beat us in the replay. I’ve really enjoyed working with Naomh Treasa, they’re a great bunch of girls and there’s no limits to what they can do. We keep pushing them and pushing them and they keep going.”

Naomh Treasa take on Middletown in this weekend’s final, and they know a fair bit about their opposition as they locked swords in Armagh club league camogie.

“I know a fair bit about them and I saw their county final win against Tullysaran. We played them in the Armagh league, we’re probably evenly matched and they know as much about us as we know about them so it has the makings of a tight game.”