Sport

Slaughtneil focused on football

Slaughtneil assistant manager John Joe Kearney says there will be no issue getting his players psyched up for this weekend's clash with Scotstown <br />Picture: Margaret McLaughlin
Slaughtneil assistant manager John Joe Kearney says there will be no issue getting his players psyched up for this weekend's clash with Scotstown
Picture: Margaret McLaughlin
Slaughtneil assistant manager John Joe Kearney says there will be no issue getting his players psyched up for this weekend's clash with Scotstown
Picture: Margaret McLaughlin

THERE won’t be any hangover to contend with from the Ulster Senior Club Hurling final defeat for Slaughtneil as their footballers head into this weekend’s quarter-final clash with Scotstown in Clones.

That’s according to Slaughtneil assistant manager John Joe Kearney, who was getting the players back on the training field on Wednesday night for the first time since last Sunday’s narrow loss to Cushendall at the Athletic Grounds.

“Apart from seeing them in the hall on Sunday night when they came home, we haven’t seen much of them and tonight is the first night we’re getting them in and we’ll see how they are,” said Kearney.

“Obviously, Sunday was a big disappointment, with it going down to the wire. Anybody could have won that game, that’s how close it was. It would have been great to win an Ulster title, the first in the county to do it, but it’s gone now and it’s about getting the focus on what’s left and that’s the football.

“I’m sure we’ll not have much bother getting them psyched up for Sunday and we’ll see how things go on the day. Scotstown will be a tough test. They have plenty of good players and they will be up for it every bit as much as we are. They have something to prove to their supporters as much as we have to ours.”

Having won the Ulster Senior Club Football Championship for the first time in their history last year, preceding a phenomenal 2015 for the club, where they took football, hurling and camogie titles in Derry, Kearney doesn’t feel there is any added pressure that comes with that success.

“I don’t think it makes too much difference to us, to be honest. I don’t think the players come under any more pressure than normal. They take each game one at a time and whoever is the strongest on the day will get the result,” he said.

“I think there was more trepidation in Ulster last year because it was uncharted territory for us. We found out that Cavan Gaels proved to be a tough match that we only won by a couple of points. We thought Clontibret would be a bigger challenge but, on the day, the Clontibret game was easier, but that’s football. You can get yourself psyched up for things that don’t materialise.

“But we’re under no illusions what Scotstown will offer. They have the players and a number of county players in their panel and Monaghan have always been there or thereabouts in Ulster football over the last number of years. It will be a tough test.”