Football

Errigal's Ciaran Quinn preparing to take on Tyrone SFC champs Dromore

Errigal Ciaran players with joint-manager Mark Harte. Picture Seamus Loughran
Errigal Ciaran players with joint-manager Mark Harte. Picture Seamus Loughran Errigal Ciaran players with joint-manager Mark Harte. Picture Seamus Loughran

Ten years on from their last Tyrone Championship triumph, Errigal Ciaran have adapted a New Decade, New Approach philosophy in their pursuit of a fresh wave of success.

Working hard on their spirit of resilience and resistance, elements of grit and fortitude have been added to the mix as they bid to break a disappointing sequence.

Nowadays, they're winning games that in the past may have been lost, most notably last year's semi-final against Coalisland, when they conceded three late goals to crash out in the most dramatic of circumstances.

"We have changed things up a wee bit at Dunmoyle. We have the gym there, Mark (Harte) and Adrian (O'Donnell) are training us, they have got a good way with the boys and they have changed their approach, the lads have changed their approach. It's all about clicking together," said defender Ciaran Quinn ahead of Sunday's semi-final against champions Dromore.

But some things never change at Dunmoyle, and the attacking class and quality long associated with the club is finding fresh expression through the exciting talents of the Canavan brothers.

Darragh (0-6) and Ruairi (1-3) broke Dungannon hearts in last weekend's quarter-final as Errigal swept to a five points win.

"We call them the Mitchell brothers, they're up to badness all the time. They're gold dust to us now, two special wee boys."

TV soaps aside, Sunday evening's episode of Tyrone SFC semi-final action will be compulsive viewing as Errigal take on the title-holders.

The St Dympna's have proven themselves true champions with wins over Killyclogher and Omagh, and have another major contender in their sights.

"It's going to be a titanic tussle, we're looking forward to it. we'll get to the drawing board and prepare as best we can," said Quinn.

"They have been around the block, they have done it last year, so we'll look forward to meeting them."

Managers Harte and O'Donnell will once again look to explore the versatility of some of their players in order to address particular aspects of this latest challenge.

Last Sunday they switched midfielder Ben McDonnell to full back to counteract the aerial threat posed by towering Clarke's full forward Patrick Quinn.

"Paddy Quinn is a handful, he's six foot six, maybe more, he can catch a ball and he knows where the sticks are.

"Ben just knew what his job was, to deal with the high ball. He did the best he could with him, Paddy still had a decent enough game, but I thought

Ben got to grips with him.

"The county might have been against us, but there's 35, 40 lads in there that have a bit of self-belief, and came out on top.

"I couldn't fault any of our men, and the subs coming in off the bench, they were superb.

"They all have to be beat to get to where you have to go, and we'll prepare for Dromore this week."