2022 has already been a year to remember for Galway attacker Matthew Tierney, who captained NUI Galway to a first Sigerson Cup success since a college team that had the likes of Michael Meehan and Matthew Clancy leading the line back in 2003.
Even though he is just 21 years old, Tierney was also selected by the Galway management as vice-captain at the beginning of the season. A clear show of faith in a youngster that possesses serious attacking prowess and significant scoring ability.
Speaking ahead of the final, Tierney is in no doubt regarding the benefits of third-level GAA and claims he and all his teammates developed markedly as footballers during their university’s historic run.
“It’s an absolutely massive competition and I really enjoyed it,” said a man who has already won an All-Ireland Intermediate club title with Oughterard.
“It’s a step above club, you could say. It’s great to prepare you for inter-county action. I was actually down at that final [in 2018] because my brother [Enda] was playing with Damo [Comer] and Kieran [Molloy]. It was unlucky for them, but thank God we got it in the end.
“I suppose when you’re with the county, at that stage of the year, it’s a lot of running [in training]. It’s great to get away and have a match with the Sigerson. I don’t mind [balancing college and inter-county], I just love playing football and any game I can play.
“It’s great to play the Sigerson as well and you’re playing with many of the lads that you’ve been playing with for Galway. You make new friends and it’s enjoyable.”
Tierney’s father, Matt Snr, was full-forward on the UCG [now NUIG] Sigerson Cup team that fell at the hands on a Maurice Fitzgerald-led UCC back in 1988.
In a cruel twist of faith, on his way home from the game, the car Matt Snr was travelling in was involved in an accident that meant the brilliant prospect would never walk again.
Rain, hail or sunshine, no matter the distance or journey it entails, Matt Snr can be spotted at every game his son is involved in, be it club, county or college. Whether it’s to lend some advice or a comforting word in defeat, he’s an ever-present.
“Everyone is visiting the house and they’re always on the phone to Dad. You would hear him talking and you would be in the other room listening. He’d saying stuff like, ‘They’d a good game the last day or whatever’.
“He’s really enjoying it and he absolutely loves football. He goes to every game, be it a challenge match in Derry, he’d go up. It doesn’t matter, he’d go to anything. He just loves it and it’s great to get out of the house, enjoy it and do something you love,” said Matthew, who was nominated for the Young Footballer of the Year accolade last year.
Matthew’s mother Marie is a Kerry woman, hailing from Castleisland, before she set down her roots in West Galway. Ahead of the game, Matthew joked that he may have to take the phone off her so no inside secrets are shared with anyone in the Kingdom. Still, there’s no denying where the Tierney household’s loyalties will lie on Sunday. It’ll be maroon and white all the way as their son chases the ultimate prize.
