“Teams win games, squads win championships” – St Brides boss O'Neill praises squad ahead of Louth IFC final

St Brides senior football manager, Eamonn O'Neill, is hoping to deliver a championship that Knockbridge can savour when his side take on Stabannon Parnells in the Louth GAA CTI Business Solutions Intermediate Football Championship final at the Grove, Castlebellingham on Sunday afternoon.

The Brides lifted the Seamus Flood Cup for the first time in 2020 when they defeated Kilkerley Emmets in Darver, but Covid restrictions denied the club the full experience of that triumph.

He told the Dundalk Democrat, “Absolutely looking forward to it. It's great to give something back to the people of Knockbridge.

“Probably a couple of years ago, when the one that was during Covid probably just didn't get to enjoy the occasion and the build-up as much as they would have liked, so it's great to be back here and hopefully get the job done.”

The manager also hopes a victory can bring some happiness after difficult times for several families connected with the club.

“It hasn't been easy since I came here because of some of the sad stories about Kevin Hearty losing his father, the Kirks lost their father, so look, it's great to give something back to Knockbridge and put a smile on their face for a change and yeah, looking forward to the challenge ahead.”

Conviction

The Brides have won every championship match this season, including two victories over Geraldines.

“The players will tell you, since I came in here two years ago, our goal was to try and compete. I'm not saying win it, but definitely compete with the top teams, and we were fully convinced going into the Geraldines game that we were going to beat them.”

Personnel

The return of key players has strengthened the Brides following a league campaign disrupted by absences.

“We were actually going well in the league and then look, we played the second half of the league without Kieran McArdle and without Sená Marry”

O'Neill believes their availability has benefited the entire attacking unit.

“We probably haven't done much different from what we've done last year. The difference this year is we're probably getting a wee bit of luck on the injury front and different things like that.”

“When you bring the calibre of players Kieran McArdle, Seán Marry back into your team, it gives the opposition something to think about and frees up players like Andrew Smith, Morgan Tobin, and Senan Hoey”

Togetherness

For O'Neill, the contribution of players outside the starting fifteen has been vital to the club's progress.

“We said this as a management team when we came in here that you know we think as much as the fella that wears 39 on his back as we do as the fella that wears number one.”

“It's as we say, teams win games, squads win championships, and it's important to everyone involved on this journey.”

That approach extends beyond championship results to the club's longer-term development.

“And it'll all go towards helping the new second field, so look, we think as much as the fella wearing 39 as we do one hence the reason we have such a big squad, and we have it these two years since I've been here.”

Recognition

O'Neill is equally keen to acknowledge the work of his backroom team.

“It'll be extra special for my whole backroom team. I'd be a bit embarrassed doing interviews at times because I don't do much work my whole backroom team does.”

“They do a lot of the work behind the scenes, and they give me the information, and I relay it back to the players, so for them it'd be really extra special if we get a little over the line for them people especially.”

Opposition

O'Neill has been impressed by Stabannon's progress and expects a closely contested final.

“Stabannon's a quality team. If you'd asked me at the beginning, by ourselves, people were talking up Collon and the Geraldines, I always fancied Stabannon; they're a quality team.”

“They're like ourselves, they're good defenders, they're quick up front, they're young and energetic but look, at the final they'll not be much in it on the day, and we're looking forward to the challenge ahead.”

He believes his side's conditioning could prove decisive if the game remains tight.

“One thing we work hard on is fitness; every night, even tonight, we'll always work a wee bit on fitness.”

Celebration

While O'Neill wants his players focused on the task ahead, he hopes the rest of Knockbridge embraces the occasion.

“Look, we keep the players away from it. To be honest with you, the player's job is to win the game, but for the rest of the club, the underage, the schools, enjoy it.

“Make hay while the sun shines; you have to enjoy days like these. There's not a lot of bad days in life; you have to enjoy the good ones when they come.”