Roes in tip-top shape

If Brackaville need any reminding about the importance of producing the goods on the day, they need just reflect on what happened a couple of weeks back when they played Dungannon in the top fo the table league encounter. So the Owen Roes will be pumped up for a massive effort when they take on Aghaloo at Healy Park, writes Kevin Hughes.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Oct 2012, 17:47 BST

That most important division three game of the entire season saw The Clarkes end the season-long winning run of Ciaran Holland’s team and it has almost certainly gifted the league title to the Dungannon men.

In addition to the disappointment of losing that game by a solitary point in a thrilling finish which saw twelve minutes of overtime played at the Roughan venue, there’s no doubt that the defeat has piled the pressure on the Owen Roes as they prepare for the big match on Sunday.

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“We have got to aceept the league title is gone, but we are still in the championship and that would be the perfect reward for our hard work over the last twelve months” stated squad member Conn Gervin, a sales advisor with the Tyrone Times.

“There will be pressure, of course, but we have already exceeded our expectations this season. When we set out, our goal was to be in a position where we were within touching distance of getting out of division three and we’ve been in that situation for quite a few weeks. But now we need to complete the job.

“This time last year we could hardly of dreamed about having such a good campaign. But we sat down and reflected on what was needed. Derrytresk had won five games on the bounce when they came to us and we won two from five. We beat them and, even though they went on to win the county and Ulster titles and reach the All-Ireland Final, we went nowhere.

“We knew it was all down to hard work and determination so we decided that we would maximum endeavour into our campaign in 2012 and this is the culmination of all that hard work.

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“The arrival of Ciaran Holland as manager has been a big factor as well. The Killeeshil man has helped change the mindsetand got us to believe a bit more in our ability, which is very important” assured Gervin, who knows they will need their top form to beat difficult opponents.

“Aghaloo have a lot of experienced players to blend with some great young forwards. They have played at intermediate grade not long ago and some of them, like Stephen Donnelly, have senior experience.

“They will be hungry and very keen to grasp this chance to return to Division Two, so they present a formidable challenge.

“But this Brackaville team could not possibly be better prepared and now it’s all about producing a performance worthy of winning over the sixty minutes on October 14th” added the confident Owen Roes stalwart.