ABBEY Vocational School captain Turlough Carr is ready for another big final, something that has become a common theme for him and his teammates over recent years.
Abbey are in their first MacRory Cup final in their first year at this level, having won the MacLarnon Cup last year and they are looking forward to the clash against St Patrick’s, Maghera today (throw-in 3pm).
“Another big school but we’ve shown we can compete with the big games. We watched their semi-final, it was low-scoring but it probably doesn’t reflect on what type of team they are because of the conditions that day. We’re looking forward to another big test.
“There’s a real buzz around the school, we’re really looking forward to the game. I’m starting to realise how big of a game it is so I’m looking forward to it.
“We didn’t expect to win the MacLarnon to be honest. This year we were able to bring in more young lads and we went into the MacRory Cup. Again we weren’t expecting much, we were looking to compete well and make it out of our group stage. We learnt after our first game that we were well able for it and kicked on from there.
“It was against St Patrick’s, Dungannon, they were in the final last year, we went up and played a really good game against them and started believing from then.”
Turlough’s brother Seanan was the captain of that MacLarnon and All-Ireland winning side last year, while his younger brother Tomás is now in the squad this year.
The Carrs all represent Four Masters and the Tír Chonaill Park men dominate the teamsheet for the school side, but there are a couple other clubs represented in the panel through Naomh Bríd and St Naul’s.
“There’s a lot of Four Masters lads on the team, I love my club obviously, I enjoy playing with them. That’s part of the reason the schools team is doing so well, we all know each other so well from playing with Four Masters for so long.
“Everyone’s bought into the plan, we’ve been very well coached and there’s been a lot of people involved with the club who saw the potential in the young players. It’s been a really good journey, the potential was there since we were young so they came in and coached us very well. We’ve won many tournaments at underage level and we’ll be looking to carry on at senior level.
“Of course, they’ll play a big part in the team, especially the two Naomh Bríd men, they’re playing very well for us, Oisin Brogan and Eoghan Gallagher, they both had a stormer in the semi-final. They all count, they’re all pushing us on in training.”
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