Onwards And Upwards For The Men From The Hill

Monday 14.11.2011

Club

Winning a league or a championship in Tyrone is always a significant achievement but to win the first in your club’s history and then make it all the way to the provincial final is absolutely fantastic.

Many Derrytresk players had never even played on Healy Park before this year’s county final and within the space of a few weeks they find they have now graced some of Ulster’s best pitches and stadiums. Celtic Park in Derry and Casement Park in Belfast have now been added to the “Derrytresk On Tour 2011” itinerary. Two great places for playing football and judging by the results and performances of late the men from the hill are certainly enjoying the tour.

Standing in their way of a maiden appearance in an Ulster Final was the Armagh outfit Eire Og. The story coming out of the Orchard County was that this was a very well organised, defensive team that would make life very difficult for the fast moving, elusive Tyrone champions. Well if ever a pitch was going to test that theory it was Casement Park and it was clear by half time that Derrytresk’s style of football was better suited to the wide open spaces of the West Belfast venue than the Armagh champions approach.

Leading 0-06 to 0-02 at the break Paul Canavan’s side continued to dominate and Niall Gavin once again proved his worth with a personal tally of 2-03. Young Gavin has shown all year that he is a special talent and once again he has delivered on the big day. It would be interesting to see how he would fare if he were to get the chance to play at a higher level. Perhaps he might get an opportunity to impress the county manager at one of the trials being organised presently or if his current impressive form continues he might even be called up to the county panel itself for The Mc Kenna Cup.

Of course that is all in the future and subject to the discretion of the county management. What is for sure is that Niall Gavin and his colleagues will continue to prepare for their next outing in the same meticulous and dedicated manner that they have approached all their championship so far this year. Their next fixture just so happens to be an Ulster Final where they will face Cremartin of Monaghan. Derrytresk have risen to every challenge they have faced so far this year and with the players they have at their disposal it would be a brave man that would bet against them delivering a provincial title to the hill.