Tyrone champions Trillick will have to meet the challenge of reaching their own high standards if they are to hold on to their title.
That’s the message from manager Nigel Seaney ahead of this weekend’s quarter-final clash with Killyclogher.
A five-point win over senior newcomers Galbally in the opening round was achieved in a less than convincing fashion, prompting concerns over certain elements of the approach.
“There are areas that do need improving. I thought we lacked efficiency up front, and I thought our decision making in the first half could have been slightly better,” said Seaney.
“We have to tidy up what we’re doing, and protect the ball a wee bit better.”
The O’Neill Cup holders looked rusty in their first defence, eventually carving out a 1-9 to 0-7 win.
With three wins in four League outings, Trillick share the leadership of their group, but the pace of knock-out Championship football is infinitely higher, and it’s a level they have yet to reach.
“We have played very little football this year, and that’s are normal for the stage we’re at at the minute, and I would expect them to.”
The St Macartan’s were the lowest scorers of all the first round winners, but they also proved to be the most effective defensively, conceding just seven points.
“I thought our defence was excellent. Stevie O’Donnell and Ruairi Kelly were top drawer, and that laid the foundation for the win.”
One impact of an inadequate pre-season programme in this most unusual of years is a significant increase in injuries, and Trillick, like most clubs, have not escaped the impact.
Skipper Daire Gallagher missed the first round, and others have been trying to minimise the effects of knocks.
“They are a problem, simply because we haven’t done the depth of work that we normally would do to get us to this level.
“It’s been more condensed. However, there was a limited window for the county board, and they had to make the best of that.
“We have to make the best of it, so it’s how we train now, essentially.
“We have had a few injuries, and in our League games, we had different teams out every week, because we had to rest players who were carrying knocks.”
Simon Garrity’s early goal gave the Reds a positive start to their tricky clash with the Intermediate champions at Healy Park.
It was all that separated the sides until a couple of long range frees from Lee Brennan put daylight between the sides late on.
“Galbally are a good side, I’ve been saying that all along. We watched them last year, and they have been playing very good football.
“We knew they would bring energy and commitment this year, and the bottom line is they have good players.
“We prepared very well for it in the limited time we had to prepare, and we were just relieved to be into the next round, to be honest.”
