“We're not just there to make up the numbers” – Sweeney aims to guide Stabannon back to senior football

Stabannon Parnells senior football manager, Shane Sweeney, believes his side have unfinished business as they prepare to face St Brides in the Louth GAA CTI Business Solutions Intermediate Football Championship final at the Grove, Castlebellingham on Sunday afternoon.

The manager hopes to make amends for last year's heartbreaking final defeat to Hunterstown Rovers as his side are within touching distance of a return to senior football.

He said, “Back in 2022 we won the Junior Championship. In 2020-21 we were struggling to get a team together. We knew that we had the youth coming along.

“We were just trying to keep the club afloat for these boys coming along. It's kind of all gel. It's a country club. They're all good mates of each other. They're all the same age.

“They hang around each other. They do everything together. When we got to intermediate first, we wanted to survive in the championship and stay there.

“That was our target the first time round. The second time round, we knew we were better than we thought. It is harder to get back there the second time round, but we're there. We're not just there to make up the numbers.”

Resilience

The Parnells had to dig deep to overcome Mattock Rangers in the semi-final, with Sweeney admitting his side had not always been at their best during the campaign.

“We knew we had a lot of work to do after the O’Raghallaighs game. We didn't have a great second half. We got a draw in the end, just with the skin of our teeth.

“We trained hard for a couple of weeks leading up to it. We knew we could get over them if we got everyone right and fit. You have to keep going. You keep going until the very end. There's no stopping. You just have to keep at it and at it. Chances come.

“Take the ones, and the twos will come on their own time. You keep the scoreboard ticking over, and you'll always be in with a shout come the end.”

The manager also praised those who stepped forward when key players struggled.

“When he's not at it, there's other players that step up to the mark. Ryan Shevlin scored five great points. Lads step up to the mark when you're down a couple of key players, just step up to it and get the scores.”

Setbacks

Injuries and absences disrupted Stabannon's league campaign, with Harry and Bobby Butterly, Seán Reynolds and Dylan Shevlin among those unavailable at different stages.

“Harry (Butterly) was in America then as well for a while, Seán (Reynolds) obviously with Louth. They were key players to us, and we can't afford to be without them, key players.

“He hurt himself at the end of last year with the Louth U20s and he has never been right. He hasn't been right since. He's getting there. It's the nature of the game. You pick up these injuries, and you have to try and get on as best you can.”

Challenge

Sweeney acknowledges the task facing his players against an unbeaten St Brides side who defeated them by five points in the league.

“We played the Brides in the league earlier on the year, and they beat us by five points in Knockbridge. The Brides are probably a step ahead of us, where we are.

“We're a little bit younger, but they've been phenomenal every game they've played. We're going to be up against it, but we'll be ready. The Brides have been phenomenal in all the championship games. They'll be the form team at the minute.

“Everyone's talking about the Brides and how good they are. We back our players. The 15 at the start and the five subs or whatever it is. We have full faith in them.”

Motivation

Last year's defeat remains a driving force, with Sweeney admitting the pressure to return to the final was considerable.

“There was a lot of pressure to get back to a final. It's not easy to get back to a final. There was a lot of pressure to get back to a final. They have the bit between their teeth. Going into the semi-final, they knew they wanted a big performance.”

Loyalty

Sweeney has witnessed Stabannon's difficult years first-hand and credits those who helped keep the club going.

“We struggled for years trying to get a team out of them. We had the Malachis then, the Clans; I think it was maybe 2019. We had to beg lads and ringing lads to get there.

“There was nobody training. I knew with the help there were other people like Wayne Lynch and Aonghus Giggins. Without them, this club, I don't know where it would have been.”

Now, with a new generation emerging, he hopes that persistence will be rewarded.

“You could see them coming through in the underage structure. You could see them lads coming. It was all about trying to keep the club going at that time.

“You have six minors in, but it's this year that has been phenomenal. You see Tadhg Gorman there; he's brilliant. The last two games he played for us there. There is more youth on the way. It's just keeping the thing together.”

For a manager who has devoted so much of his time to the club, Sunday's final carries particular significance.

“I’ve been here all my life. It's just great here. I love it here. I'm only just down the road here. It's great for the kids. My own kids. I have to thank my own wife and kids at home. I'm here most nights of the week. It is what it is. We'll see after this year. I do enjoy it.”