POMEROY go into this year’s Ulster Club IFC with a one hundred per cent record in the series, having gone all the way in their previous two appearances.
Provincial champions in 2004 and 2016, the Plunkett’s face Armagh champions Cullyhanna tomorrow with history very much on their side.
Several members of the current team are seeking their second medal, but manager Declan McCallan isn’t taking any comfort from past glories.
“We have had a good run in the competition on the last two occasions we were in it, so it’s not new to us, but it’s new to a lot of these players, it’s new to the management,” he said.
Pomeroy’s sole focus this season has been to steer a course back to senior football in Tyrone, and only when that was achieved two weeks ago did they begin to contemplate life beyond the county boundaries.
“Our main ambition was to win that Paddy Cullen Cup, and get promotion back to senior football, but now we’re looking at this as another opportunity to showcase our talents.”
The Orchard champions have been imperious within their own county this year, reclaiming senior status at the first attempt with dominant performances in league and championship.
“We have a bit of homework to do, but we will enjoy going back to Healy Park, I think that’s a good advantage to us.
“We know the ground, we’ve played there twice, and I think that will stand us in good stead.”
Both sides are stacked with county players, but McCallan feels he may have the men who can give his side the edge, with Frank Burns and former Footballer of the Year Kieran McGeary at its heart, along with former Tyrone defenders Hugh Pat McGeary and Brendan Burns.
“Those boys are all down the spine of our team, and they’re there for a reason.
“It took it all to get over a very good Moy team, and a good Derrylaughan team in the semi-final, so we have been really tested in both matches, and previous rounds the same.
“It was a tough championship run, but we really enjoyed the celebrations.”
As they prepare for a return to Division One after a two-year absence, Pomeroy will use the Ulster championship as a platform from which to launch themselves back into life in the fast lane.
“It will be good preparation for senior football. Cullyhanna is a senior club, and that’s what we’re going to be facing next year, so we’ll set our stall out and try and compete as best we can.”
But McCallan warned that the club will be seriously hampered by Tyrone’s ‘starred’ system, which means that county players will not be available for the first five league games.
“The starred system really hurts us, to have to play those first five games without our two top players.
“I know everybody has to live with it, and that’s the system we’re in, but we’ll have to try and get around it and cement our position in senior football.
“But it’s a tough place. When you see the likes of Clonoe coming down, you see Coalisland and the battle they’re in to stay there. These are big clubs.”
