Poland’s
passport back home
EXCLUSIVE By Terry McLaughlin
DOWN star Simon Poland is to return back to Bryansford.
After four seasons with derby rivals Castlewellan
the rangy half- back has submitted a transfer request
to the reigning AIB Club of the Year in order that
he can resume his career with the Ford.
The new county champions have already signed the transfer
documents after the player’s request received a unanimous
vote of support from the Bryansford Committee.
His decision will come as no real
surprise given that he spelt out his intentions to
make the return switch to his home-town club to the
Castlewellan management earlier in the season. However
Poland did agree to play out the rest of his career
with the Green and Blacks until the club’s involvement
in the Down championship was completed.
Castlewellan went out in the semi final stages of
the championship to former reigning champions, Mayobridge.
In what was to be his last game with Castlewellan
Poland turned in a typically whole-hearted display
before ending up on the losing side. During his stint
with Castlewellan the Down player won All Ireland
Sevens glory in the Kilmacud Sevens as well as helping
the club to the final of the Down Championship two
seasons ago only for Mayobridge to triumph.
His transfer to Castlewellan, along with fellow Bryansford
player Simon Gribben, rocked the Down club football
scene when it first hit the headlines.
Although Gribben returned back to the Ford after just
a season with the St. Malachy’s Park outfit, Poland
continued to play for Castlewellan.
The player however always kept open his friendship
links with the Bryansford players.
And it was clear that from a competitive point of
view he always found it extremely difficult to motivate
himself to the usual derby pitch when it came to turning
out against players he had grown up with.
Simon Poland however can leave Castlewellan clear
in the knowledge that he always gave everything for
the club while he was their player. That chapter has
however now been closed in terms of his playing career.
Now he has returned to St. Patrick’s Park it can only
add additional playing strength to a Bryansford squad
already boosted by the coming on stream of some of
the most talented young players in the county.
Still only 26 the inclusion in the Ford squad of such
a vastly experienced Down player as Simon Poland can
only be regarded as a massive boost for Benny Corrigan
and for the entire Bryansford club.
