Louth GAA club | Barry: Last year counts for nothing

Hunterstown Rovers joint manager Seán Barry remained composed in the aftermath of his side’s dramatic CTI Business Soloutions Louth Intermediate Football Championship semi-final replay win over Mattock Rangers.

A year on from their heartbreaking replay defeat to Dundalk Gaels, his side are back in the final to take on a young talented Stabannon Parnells outfit. Barry admitted that a return to the decider had been the clear target from the outset.

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He said, “At the start of the year, we said we wanted to get back there. There were many hurdles to be jumped, and tonight was another one.

“We didn't want to go to a replay last week, but a lot of tired bodies after Sunday. Both teams were very tired. You didn't know what you were going to get.

“I think in the end, we just had maybe subs that came on that made a bit of a difference. To the spectator, I'd say it was a very, very enjoyable game.

“But we're in the final and Stabannon are there waiting for us. They've been there since Sunday. We're probably four days behind them now at this stage, but we look forward to it and really enjoy it.”

With five minutes to go, Hunterstown led by eight points, but as Barry pointed out, that advantage can dissolve quickly with the new rules.

“In fairness to Collon, they've got two very good goals. We were set up defensively, when you have the Flynn’s in the forward line and you have Adrian Reid pulling the strings.

“You have (Ben) McKenna, they're all good players. That's football. It's never over. It's not a cliché, but Collon are so proud, passionate. It's just in their DNA.

“We knew that the lads played with them underage, and the respect the two clubs have for each other is unbelievable.”

Taking chances

Even as Mattock surged back, Hunterstown had already done crucial damage earlier in the game.

“I was more worried at the start. We were 1-3 to 0-2 down early on. Collon were playing all the football. Then the last 10 minutes of the first half, we got six points to one, that really set us up.

“Then from about the fifth to the 15th minute of the second half, we blitzed and we got the scores. But then they came back. Like you say, in the modern game, you get 10 minutes, we get 10 minutes.

“We missed a lot of chances last week. We created them, but we missed them. Tonight, 2-16 and 18 scores. Great, great, great return.”

Substitutes

The four-day turnaround between the drawn game and the replay left its mark on both sides, but Barry praised the impact of his bench and his leaders on the field.

“Maybe that, but then both teams went to the game last weekend, it was a heavy ground with a four-day turnaround. We brought subs on because we needed fresh legs.

“They just got that bit of momentum. We wrestled it back. In fairness, the boys won the next two breaks, and we went up the field, and we got that bit of breathing space.

“In fairness to Ryan (Burns), the frees went over tonight that were just wide there last week. Ryan Ward got a great two-pointer here before half-time. We were missing them last week. We got them this week. We worked tirelessly.”

Barry also reserved special praise for his captain, Ryan Burns, who chalked up 1-11 and underlined his importance.

“He's the county player. When he came back in, everyone knew then it was starting to focus and knuckle down. I just said that the lads inside, again, it's not a cliché, but there are lads there.

“We played poorly against the Kevins. We came in on Tuesday night. The more experienced players like Alan Matthews, Alan Landy, Martin Lennon, and Aaron Levens were away for 12-13 weeks. They were driving the training.

“It's great to have Ryan and the other experienced players, but you have a great mix there. You have younger players, but then you have these older players.

“Even there tonight, Seán (Flynn) was missing, and Alan Landy just steps up, takes the warm-up, takes the stretch and gets the lads right. That's a club. That's what a club is all about.”

Stabannon

Hunterstown now face Stabannon Parnells, who secured their final spot the previous Sunday and have enjoyed a longer recovery period.

“Stabannon are probably four or five days ahead of us now at this stage. We have to see what the bodies are like. There are a lot of bruised bodies in there.

“We get down to tomorrow morning, start, focus, and they've already started. Stabannon have had a great year. They're racking up big scores. It's not just two or three marquee names.

“Clan na Gael tried to mark them on the last day, and the other lads stepped up. They're a good team and they've good management and they've got a good set-up. I just want to compliment them on a fantastic surface here tonight and facilities.”

2024 defeat

Experience counts for little on county final day, according to Barry, whose side are determined to put last year’s defeat behind them.

“Last year counts for nothing. Our biggest challenge was to get back there to right or wrong from last year. In fairness, the Gaels beat us fair and square in the replay. We felt we had unfinished business.

“Stabannon are going to be one hell of a hard hurdle to jump. As I say, they're four or five days ahead of us. We have to play catch-up now and get all our bodies on the field.

“I said it early in the year, the team that has their players on the field and less injuries is the team that wins championships. Hopefully, we can get all these boys right.”