AIB Ulster Club IFC quarter-final: Pomeroy (Tyrone) v Arva (Cavan) (tomorrow, Healy park, 12.45pm)
Pomeroy and Arva have displayed resilience and attacking flair on their successful campaigns in Tyrone and Cavan respectively this year, and when they meet in tomorrow’s Ulster Club IFC quarter-final tie at Healy Park, a good old-fashioned end-to-end contest should ensue.
Both teams have built effective strategies on their ability to defend with discipline and break swiftly for scores.
Arva won their first Breffni IFC title in 33 years with a narrow replay win over Killinkere, while the Plunketts celebrated their centenary with a convincing victory over Derrylaughan in the Red Hand decider.
Three of Tyrone’s rising stars – Frank Burns and the McGeary brothers, Hugh Pat and Kieran – are key men for Pomeroy, who also have important figures in Brendan Burns, Ryan Loughran and Denver Nugent.
Nugent, Ollie McCreesh and Ciaran McKenna are survivors from the club’s last championship triumph, back in 2004, when they went on to win the Ulster IFC title and reach the All-Ireland final.
Arva may not have the same pedigree, but they have a well balanced side that has been moulded into an effective unit by manager Peter Reilly.
Peter Conneely and Ciaran Brady form a formidable midfield partnership, while they have a solid defence in which James Morris and Thomas Brady are reliable performers.
Kevin Bouchier and Conal Sheridan have combined in a prolific twin strike partnership this season, the latter scoring the winning point in the county final.
“Forwards probably get the credit, but without good ball coming in, Conal can’t do his work either, and on that score, we’re happy enough,” said manager Reilly.
He is happy with the progress of a club that has returned to senior football, having played at junior level just two years ago.
“They won the junior only two years ago, and got to the intermediate final last year, so within two years of coming from junior, it’s great success in a very short space of time.
“They lost in the first round of the junior a couple of years ago, and have played in a lot of county finals this past few years, so hopefully that big game experience will stand to them.”
He expects Pomeroy to present the biggest challenge they have faced this year.
“They have Frank Burns and the McGearys, so they’ll be strong, but your team is only as strong as the weakest link.
“It’s obviously going to be a step up from where we were, so hopefully we can get there.”
Pomeroy captain Hugh Pat McGeary admitted it has been difficult to plan for this provincial opener.
“We don’t know a lot about them, but they have won a final, we have won a final. They’ll definitely be a very competitive team and a very hard team to beat,” he said.
“Any team that comes out of Cavan, as we know ourselves, will be very good.”
The Tyrone panellist said it’s important that the Plunketts make the most of this opportunity to make it a season to remember in centenary year.
“We haven’t been there now in 12 years, in competitions like this, and it might never happen again in your career.
“When you’re at this stage, there’s no stopping you. You have to just go for it, it’s knock-out football
“We’ve already got promotion, so we want to give this a good rattle.”
