Collective quality and strength in depth can carry Shandonagh back to senior football

Shandonagh’s Luke Tynan is confident there is the collective quality and strength in depth to carry the team back to senior football.

They are facing into Sunday’s Intermediate final without the suspended Brian Kavanagh, top scorer in this year's championship, but Tynan, this year’s joint-captain alongside Adam Treanor, is adamant they can cope in the face of such adversity.

“Kav is a serious loss and it’s bitterly disappointing for him, but we have a serious squad and great belief in all our players. There are 30 players battling for that jersey all year and lots of those – well over 20 – have seen first-team action. Yes, Kav has been fantastic and is set to be top scorer, but other players are chomping at the bit,” he remarked.

A return to the senior grade has always been the big target. Last year Shandonagh only just came up short against Tubberclair, who showed their undoubted quality by reaching this year’s Senior quarter-final, where they took St Loman’s to extra time.

“It has been the big target for this group of players. We were senior a couple of times, but staying there is obviously the ultimate test. We were unlucky to drop back a couple of years ago, but for the club, it would be massive to get up there and establish ourselves,” he said.

“There’s so much going on in terms of development and progress at underage level: our facilities are excellent and we saw the potential of our minor footballers a couple of weeks ago. Senior football is something to strive towards.”

Shandonagh lost out agonisingly to The Downs in the Division 1 minor final, and that is the level the club is operating at. Tynan and his colleagues are aware of it, and it is clearly driving them on. They are more determined than ever, but they realise it will take a big effort to get past neighbours Milltown on Sunday.

“We know there’s not much separating the two teams; a lot of us have played football together for St Pat’s (an amalgamation side) over the years. We are not surprised that Milltown are in the final; they have shown their quality all year. Our first-round game was close, and that is how games have gone between the two teams in recent times,” he observed.

“They have an excellent side and are getting players back also. It’s a big local derby, and games between us are always exciting.”

The journey to Sunday’s final has helped Shandonagh develop further, he feels, as he recalls big tests against St Malachy’s and Milltownpass, for example – the latter a must-win game for Tynan and co. They found their scoring touch in that game, getting six goals, and it seems to have given them momentum.

“It’s been a seriously competitive group, and that has improved us as a team. Even the game against Multyfarnham in Bal’ was a serious test. You learn from those games; it’s better than any training. We are in a better place because of those battles,” noted Tynan.

Scoring power could well be the deciding factor on Sunday, and Tynan is a big fan of the new game, noting the value of the two-pointers and the importance of securing primary possession in the middle third. He also hasn’t lost sight of the importance of a solid defensive structure. Shandonagh will need a strong all-round performance to achieve their goal on Sunday, but Tynan and his colleagues will not be found wanting.

“There are going to be plenty of big battles all around the pitch. We’re ready for that, and we know what it’s going to take to get over the line,” he added.