Yahoo Sports Errigal Ciaran reaching final would be 'huge'
Errigal Ciaran boss Enda McGinley says becoming the first Tyrone team to reach an All-Ireland Senior Club Final by beating Dr Crokes at Newbridge on Saturday would be "huge" for the Ballygawley outfit.
For a county that's won four Sam Maguire Cup titles in addition to regular underage success and whose clubs have reached five All-Ireland intermediate deciders and six junior finals, it's remarkable to think a Red Hand outfit has never progressed to the final two in the battle for Andy Merrigan Cup.
It's something three-time Tyrone All-Ireland medallist McGinley admits he is keenly aware of.
"It just feels too good to be true to imagining yourself in an All-Ireland Final. What's rare is beautiful as they say," the Errigal Ciaran boss told BBC Sport NI.
"No Tyrone Club has made the All-Ireland Final and as you're well aware, Tyrone people are very proud of our club football. We've done well at the intermediate and junior ranks but it's a huge opportunity."
For context, Derry clubs have been involved in nine All-Ireland Senior Club finals with Armagh's eight occasions in the Andy Merrigan decider including six-time winners' Crossmaglen's seven appearances.
Former All-Ireland champions Burren (twice), Kilcoo and losing finalists in the inaugural competition way back in 1971, Bryansford, are the Down clubs that have featured in the decider with Antrim having been represented on final days by St Gall's (twice) and St John's and Monaghan outfit Scotstown losing in 1979 against record seven-time champions Nemo Rangers.
McGinley admits that desire to achieve a bit of Tyrone GAA history could potentially bring its own pressure but he's been telling his players all week to embrace the sense of expectation within the club and local community.
"There's a huge buzz around the place but I don't really want the boys to insulate themselves from that too much.
"The support we have got from within the club has been massive. You want that to almost lift the boys and push them on to grab this very special opportunity that they've got."
Errigal Ciaran's Kerry opponents Dr Crokes have played in four finals with one of their two wins coming most recently in 2017 when they edged out a heartbroken Slaughtneil 1-9 to 1-7 in the Croke Park decider.
"Crokes have been there and done that. We know they've got an experience factor but there's something that sometimes when a team is in a special moment, it pushes them on to a great performance," added the Errigal Ciaran manager.
"We're going to need that and we're going to need our support come Saturday. I've no doubt we'll have that and please God come Saturday, the boys can produce the performance that gets them over the line."
Errigal have clean bill of health
McGinley was pleased to report on Friday that his squad has a clean bill of health for Saturday's contest.
The game was originally scheduled for Portlaoise last Sunday only to fall victim to the early stages of the recent cold snap and was then moved to Newbridge in midweek.
"I'm happy enough [with Newbridge]. I thought initially it would be Newbridge. They have a new pitch down there and a new stand. It's a perfect size of ground for this type of game.
"Playing at this stage of the year is a privilege and we're glad it was sorted early."
