Football

Winning Sigerson provided springboard for crack at county scene admits Down boss Paddy Tally

Paddy Tally guided St Mary's University College to Sigerson Cup glory in 2017. Picture by Seamus Loughran
Paddy Tally guided St Mary's University College to Sigerson Cup glory in 2017. Picture by Seamus Loughran Paddy Tally guided St Mary's University College to Sigerson Cup glory in 2017. Picture by Seamus Loughran

FINALLY scaling the Sigerson mountain was the moment Paddy Tally knew he was ready to embrace another challenge and have a crack at the inter-county scene as a number one.

Tally was involved in Mickey Harte’s backroom team when Tyrone won their first All-Ireland title in 2003, before later stints with Down – during which time they reached the 2010 All-Ireland final under James McCartan – and Brian McIver’s Derry.

The Galbally native has long been linked with top club and county posts and leading St Mary’s University College to Sigerson Cup glory in 2017 marked the realisation of a longstanding ambition.

Tally was happy to wait for the right opportunity to present itself, and when Down got in touch last August it was an easy decision to make.

“It’s not something I really sat down and was seeking,” he said.

“It was all about the right time, if something came along. I only really concentrate on the job I’m doing and when the opportunity came to work with Down, it didn’t take an awful long time to make my mind up.

“I felt this was a really good opportunity; I have a connection with Down going back to 2009, ’10, ’11 so I’ve a fair understanding of the mentality of Down players. I like the way they play, I’ve always liked the way Down approach football, they like playing the game. That was one of the things.

“The other thing was, with winning the Sigerson a few years ago, that was a big thing and that was that done. You’d always love to do it again but it’s a very difficult thing to do, so that was probably one of my ambitions achieved in that sense.

“If there was a natural progression, it probably was to be a county manager and this was probably the right time for me.”

Tally and his backroom team of former Down forward Benny Coulter, Gavin McGilly and Stephen Beattie held trials throughout the autumn as they scoured the county for talent.

Getting the players into the best physical shape possible ahead of the Dr McKenna Cup has been a priority, with Tally insisting they haven’t looked at systems or styles of play yet.

However, the aim will be to make the Mournemen hard to beat as they bid to build momentum during their Division Three campaign next spring.

“So far it’s been very positive,” said Tally, whose first game in charge will be against Cavan on December 30.

“We saw a lot of the games in the club championship and Ulster, we ran a number of trials and the attitude has been good among the players, there’s been a good buy-in.

“All the focus and concentration for now is on getting the systems in place behind the scenes, getting all the logistical stuff and getting the players out in preparation. As regards systems and ways of playing, we haven’t looked at that yet.

“We have five new rules to integrate into our matches now, which is going to change the way you think about how you play the game. But obviously we have to be smart about this – we have to be hard to beat. Any team that’s successful is hard to beat.

“After that, you play as much as you can on the front foot and I do think getting that blend being good defensively and being able to go out and play an attacking brand of football is the key.

“We’re not naïve enough to think we can go completely defensive and be successful. That doesn’t work either. You still have to commit enough players forward and play a system that’s allowing your forwards to flourish as well, so getting that balance right will be crucial.”