“Stabannon is a senior club in my eyes” – Butterly determined to restore senior status

Stabannon Parnells captain Bobby Butterly believes his club belongs in senior football and hopes the Louth GAA CTI Business Solutions Intermediate Football Championship final against St Brides will provide the opportunity to prove it.

The sides meet at The Grove in Castlebellingham on Sunday afternoon, with the Parnells aiming to put last year's final defeat to Hunterstown Rovers behind them and reclaim their place in the senior grade.

He said, “Getting back to senior is what we want. Stabannon is a senior club in my eyes as well; there was great history there in the 90s, four senior championships.

“Obviously the ladies as well; they've done brilliant as well plenty of senior titles for them as well. So, it'll be great to get back there for the parish and everything; it'll lift the whole community, bring us all together.”

Stabannon's four senior championship victories in 1991, 1994, 1997, and 1999 remain a source of pride, and Butterly hopes the current generation can begin creating its own legacy.

“There are those comparisons; they were so successful, so hopefully we can replicate that and get back to winning ways in senior.”

The family connections within the current squad make the occasion even more meaningful.

“There's a number of others there, obviously the Shevlin's, myself and Harry, the Cluskey's there's loads more cousins and everything, it's a great parish.”

Determined

The Parnells have worked their way back to another final despite a disappointing league campaign that left them battling to preserve their division status.

“It's great to be back; we've worked hard all year to try and get back here. The league campaign didn't go the way we wanted; we started off well but started to lose form.

“We lost a lot of games, and we actually had the battle then to stay up. So, it's great to be back in the final.”

The return of key players has helped them rediscover their form at the right time.

“The league just didn't go the way we wanted, because players were travelling and the likes of Sean (Reynolds), obviously, with the county panel.

“Then Harry (Butterly) was away, a few of the lads injured, so we're all gelling back together. It's great to get the team back and playing well together.”

Last year's final disappointment remains a major motivation.

“Absolutely, it's been in our mind, so it's not gone away. We want to get back there and just do our best and try and win.”

Momentum

Stabannon's semi-final victory over Mattock Rangers provided evidence that they are finding their best form at the right time.

“We were gearing up to that. Collon were one of the favourites to win the championship, so it's great to get a win over them. So, into the final now, just can't wait for it.

“We knew we had it in us. It was just getting into that, getting into the move and the groove, so yeah, it was great to pull away. We felt we had it in the legs and we pushed on; we got the win in the end.”

And despite missed chances during the campaign, the captain says the players have learned to maintain their focus.

“Derek Crilly was a brilliant player when I was playing with him, and anytime the ball went wide or missed opportunity or something like that dead ball, he'd always just say, right lads, next ball next ball.

“I thought that was a great thing and I kind of carry that on from playing with him.”

Quality

Butterly praised the contributions of his brother Harry, Louth player Seán Reynolds and twins Dylan and Ryan Shevlin.

“He's (Harry) been playing good stuff alright. Wasn't his day for the frees though; he missed an awful lot of frees. But other than that, no, he had a great game, two great points.”

Reynolds' influence has been particularly important.

“Seán is a county player in my eyes. He controls the game for us; he's unbelievable. He's a big game player, he comes out and plays great stuff, and the two Shevlin's as well, they're playing great stuff so it's just great to get them back fit and playing.”

Challenge

The skipper has been impressed by St Brides' unbeaten championship campaign and knows Parnells will have to produce their best performance.

“I think they're a team to beat because in just every game, they're getting better and better, Sean Mary, the two McArdle's, plenty of lads there.

“They have great pace and power, and they need watching in defence as well very tight and sticky, so they're good all round.”

The teams have already enjoyed contrasting results against each other in recent seasons.

“Well, last year in the group we beat them in the group; this year in the league they beat us well. I think last year they could have beaten us well again in a tight encounter.

“But it's always a good, cracking game, so hopefully there'll be plenty of goals, and it'll be a good game.”

Belief

Having experienced the disappointment of last year's final, Butterly hopes that occasion will stand to the players when they return to the big stage.

“I'm sure it will help, yeah, but there will always be nerves. Nerves are a good thing as well, so I'd say there will be.”

With the squad returning to full strength, the captain believes Parnells are peaking at the right time.

“Absolutely, we're kind of coming back, we're getting back into form, getting players back, and I feel we're hitting heights now, so hopefully we'll put in a good performance.”