THE remarkable story of Tattyreagh’s meteoric rise has captivated GAA enthusiasts throughout Tyrone, and now the scent of provincial success is in the air.
Successive promotions have seen them travel from junior to senior in the space of a year, and tomorrow’s Ulster Club IFC semi-final against St Enda’s of Antrim extends another hand of opportunity.
Backed by a fanatical band of supporters the Tatts return to the Athletic Grounds, scene of their first round win over Armagh champions St Peter’s, to turn another page in this heart-warming story.
“It has been brilliant. The support throughout last year and this year especially has been absolutely phenomenal,” said centre-back Eoighain Murray.
“It really puts it into perspective when you see the young children coming up and asking us for gloves. It shows how important it is for the whole community and what it’s doing for football in the club at every level.”
Managers Stephen McHugh and Stephen Ferguson have overseen the revolution at Darcy Park over the past three years, introducing new ideas and alternative approaches as they blended a talented group of players into a stylish and effective unit.
“They have been unbelievable, I couldn’t speak highly enough of them. They both have their own strengths, and together they work really well,” said Murray.
The 21-year-old sports science student is a steadying force is a steadying force at the heart of the defence, occasionally tweaking the role as a trusted man-marker, but he’s happy to answer whatever call that comes his way.
“The management work all that out and I just play my normal position and if something needs to be done, I’ll go and do it. Basically we all just carry out what the plan is and do it to the best of our ability.”
And he’s always prepared to avail of the opportunity to push forward and add his natural skills to the attacking effort.
A forward unit led by lethal finisher James Darcy has been racking up the scores and striking for goals at crucial times.
“Our forward line has been very good. James obviously is the scoring threat, he’s a fantastic player, but our whole forward line have their own jobs to do and they have been them fantastically well. They’re getting the scores for us at crucial times.”
