Enda McGinley believes his Errigal Ciaran side can rise to a new level following a statement win over Trillick.
He feels there’s more in his talented and driven group of players than they showed in the seven-point victory that set up a Connollys of Moy Tyrone SFC semi-final clash with champions Loughmacrory.
“I’m delighted for the boys, they really produced a solid performance, and I think there’s still better in them, we can still improve,” he said.
“But in terms of just staying in the fight and making it difficult for what is obviously a brilliant Trillick team, I think we did that all night.
“I’m delighted about that, and some boys put in really great performances for us.
“Any time we get past Trillick, which has been very, very few times, we know we have done something and put in a significant performance that we can be proud of.”
The semi-final draw, made immediately after the final whistle at O’Neills Healy Park, stalled the post-match celebrations with a cold reality check, Errigal paired with the holders in the next round.
“It was a really good win, but we know what the draw is now, so it sort of quells any sense of celebration or pats on the back.
“We know what’s ahead of us now. From a long way out, Loughmacrory have looked like the main team in Tyrone.
“They’re obviously stronger than last year, and I thought their performance against Omagh was superb, because we know well how good Omagh can be come a championship game, and Loughmacrory were excellent against them.”
The winners of Thursday evening’s replay between Carrickmore and Donaghmore will meet Edendork in the other semi-final, and McGinley insisted that every team still standing must be feared in the fiercely contested Red Hand series.
“Sixteen teams started out, we’re one of the four teams, after the replay, who will be left.
“To be there is brilliant, and all four of those teams will be backing themselves that they can win the whole thing.”
Young blood has refreshed and rejuvenated an Errigal Ciaran side that relinquished its Tyrone and Ulster titles in a semi-final loss to Trillick last year.
Teenagers Shea McDermott and Aodhan Quinn sparkled in the front line, hitting a combined total of 1-8 and other emerging talents played important roles in the 1-16 to 0-12 success.
“Aodhan and Shea were excellent, and Micheal (Mullin) came in and we lost him back out again, and Ronan O’Sullivan, I thought he put in a really good performance for us.
“Those young fellas have absolutely added to the group, and we needed them, we lost a few serious campaigners last year, and obviously we have been carrying a lot of significant injuries this year.
“They have stepped up to the plate, and that’s exactly what you want.
“The team will always gradually change, as it should, and sometimes it’s hard to give those boys a chance in really big games.
“But that’s where our fraught league campaign came into it. We were right on the precipice in terms of relegation, so we played some of the most important league games that we have played in a long, long time, and it was those boys that were playing in those games.
“It’s not a situation we ever wanted to be in, but it did help those boys and probably accelerated their experience and their ability to cope with days like that.”
