Mayobridge aim
to recapture title
Taken
from Down Democrate
Mayobridge head into this year's Senior
Football Final against Annaclone aiming
to recapture the title that eluded
them in 2003.
Defeat at the hands of Bryansford
shocked many followers of the game,
however, one man held his head up
high and realised that the Newcastle
men were deserved winners on that
cold, blustery day at the Castlewellan
Road venue.
James
Gallagher is under no illusions of
the threat that Annaclone possess
and is hoping that his men don't fall
at the final hurdle in a bid to regain
the trophy. Commenting on last years
performance against Bryansford, Gallagher
said "Last year, Bryansford were
simply the better team and deserved
the victory."
"Although
there were suggestions of complacency
within our squad with eyes already
set on the Ulster Club Championship,
I can assure you that there was no
complacency within the management
or indeed the players. We prepared
long and hard for the game against
Bryansford and the boys knew what
they had to do to win the game, however,
just like Mayo last week, it's how
you perform on the day and we simply
didn't perform."
"We
had beaten Bryansford twice in the
league last year and we were winning
many of our games comfortably but
when we were up against it we just
couldn't seem to raise our game."
Gallagher
this season has had Down legend and
All Star MIckey LInden along side
him in a Player-Coach role and he
claims that Linden has been a revelation.
"Mickey has shown excellent player
management qualities and is very well
organised. There is a different mood
in the camp this year and we are reaping
the benefits."
The
objectives of the coaching staff and
players of Mayobridge at the start
of the year were to reach the Play-offs
and the Championship FInal, they have
succeeded in both and there is no
suggestions as to why they can't go
one better and beat Annaclone.
Annaclone
have earned their place in the September
Showpiece with victories over much
fancied teams such as Castlewellan
and An Riocht. Indeed Annaclone will
be on a high after their great run
in the Championship and will be full
of confidence and determination.
Neither
staff or players at Mayobridge will
underestimate their rivals and speaking
about Annaclone, Gallagher remarked
"Annaclone deserve respect for
what they have acheived, they have
beaten some excellent sides to reach
the final. Indeed they will be hungry
for success and have nothing to lose,
they will prove very stiff opposition
for us to overcome."
Mayobridge
got off to a slow start earlier in
the year and have proved that they
can now raise their game when required.
Without the services of Down stars
MIchael Walsh and Ronan Sexton, absent
with long term injuries, it has been
a hard season for 'The Bridge' and
yet they were dealt another blow only
last week.
Midfielder
Declan Rooney dislocated his shoulder
against Burren in their final league
game and will be a major doubt for
the final. Rooney has been an isnpiration
in the midfield and will surely be
missed if he fails to make it on time
for the clash with Annaclone.
However,
with a stronger and sharper defence
added with a higher level of battling
spirit and determination, it will
be very difficult for Annaclone to
somehow find themselves in a position
to score those couple of goals that
they may need to take Mayobridge to
the wire.
On
the break there is still the ever
reliable LInden providing craft and
invention backed up with the recent
return of Bennie Coulter and Annaclone
will need to be focused and at the
top of their game to produce another
giant killing in their quest for Championship
glory.
