Organ expecting massive test against Carrickmore

BY MATTHEW WILSON

ST Eunan’s coach Eugene Organ is expecting a ‘massive test’ when they face Eire Og Carrickmore in the Ulster Intermediate Club Championship this Sunday.

The Letterkenny men haven’t been in competitive action since their county final defeat to Setanta at the end of August.

After a strong season, it was a disappointing defeat for St Eunan’s but they’ve regrouped and are viewing the upcoming Ulster campaign as a new competition.

“Things are good”, said Organ. “The biggest obstacle that we faced was the three month lay off since the county final.”

“Things didn’t go our way in the final but we took a bit of a break and regrouped after three weeks to start training again.”

“We’re viewing this as a new competition. We set out our stall and we’re just going to attack it as best as we can and see where it takes us.”

Following the county final disappointment, Organ expressed that it was difficult to get things back up and running for the Ulster campaign with such a lengthy gap between the two competitions.

This is something that the St Eunan’s coach feels needs to be addressed going forward.

“It was difficult. I think it’s something that needs to be addressed going forward because it’s too much of a lay off.”

“We’re going in and facing teams now that are just coming out of the back of their Championships. We’ve had a bit of a lull there for a couple of months.”

“We’re playing challenge games but it’s just not the same as the Championship bite so we’re not going to know until Sunday where we’re at.”

The O’Donnell Park residents have been boosted by the return of Niall O’Donnell and Conor O’Donnell Senior following the conclusion of the football campaign, while Stephen Doherty has also been called up from the Intermediate panel.

They now face Tyrone outfit Eire Og Carrickmore in the Ulster Intermediate Club Quarter-Final at O’Donnell Park this Sunday.

Looking at their success in Tyrone in recent years as well as having watched a number of their games, Organ is aware of the threat that the Carrickmore outfit possess and anticipates a ‘massive test’’ this weekend.

“It’s going to be a serious clash, they’ve won the last six county titles. They’re a really good team that are backboned by the majority of the Tyrone senior team.”

“They’ve plenty of experience of playing at this level, this is our first birth of playing Intermediate.”

“They’re a well drilled side who just won’t go away, I’ve watched several of their games and they just keep coming back and coming back.”

“We’re expecting a massive test at O’Donnell Park on Sunday but hopefully we’ll be there or thereabouts.”

The Letterkenny men reached the Ulster Junior Club Championship Final in 2023. They’ll be hoping to go on a similar run this term to make the winter shorter.

However, Organ described Sunday’s encounter as a serious hurdle but insists that it’s one they’re looking forward to.

“You look at this competition and you’ve got three games, the quarter-final, semi-final and final. If you got a bit of momentum built up from the first game then you don’t know where it could take you.”

“We’d love to go on and do well in the competition but Sunday is going to be a massive hurdle to get over but one that we’re looking forward to.”