2015 Lancashire

Championship

Semi-Finals

Oisins

V St.Brendans

Throw-in: 1.30pm

Reiteoir: George o’rourke

(St.Peters)

John Mitchels

V

St.Peters

Throw-in: 3.00pm

Reiteoir: Shane Walsh

(St.Brendans)

Domhnaigh 13 Mean fomhair, 2015

Turnmoss

Manchester

Lancashire......... Home of the British champions

A Chara

You are all very welcome to Turn Moss on what promises to be a fantastic day of

football for Lancashire. I can't help but look on with envy that my own club St

Lawrences are not involved today.

These are the days that make playing football special and I'd like to wish all play-

ers and officials the best of luck today and hope we are treated to two cracking

game of football.

I would like to thank all the volunteers, underage coaches and members who help

make St Lawrences one of the finest clubs in the country, it's privilege to work

with these people daily and they exemplify everything that is good about GAA in

our county.

Finally I would like to thank the Lancashire CDA Andy Kane for all the work he

has done with Lawrences schools, underage teams and all the help he has given

our club and county over the past year. Thank you.

To that end; all to best to every-

one taking part today.

Is mise le meas

James

Wray

St.Lawrence’s Welcome

James Wray (chairman)

St.Lawrences’ Factfile

Nickname:Yellow Bellies

Ground: Turn Moss

Founded: Novemeber 1980

Address: Turn Moss Road

Stretford

Manchester

Lancashire

UK

M32 8QD

+44 77 0943 4978

Oisins

V

St.Brendans

Preview

The first championship semi-final sees Oisins take on St Brendan's in what promises to

be a pulsating battle between the two outfits. Oisins will go into the clash as strong fa-

vourites and deservedly so; in fact Oisins are considered heavy favourites to lift their

first Lancashire senior championship since 2006.

What both teams will bring to table is sheer physicality, expect for no quarter to be asked

none to be given when the ball is thrown in on Sunday. Oisins have a physical presence

that few teams can match, but in Sean Sands, John Gibney and Niall Connolly;

St Brendan's will asked plenty of questions of Oisins in this sector. For Brendans to

have any chance of winning they must curbed the influence of Donnelly at midfield.

Make no doubt about it, Donnelly makes Oisins tick and is one of the best midfielders in

the county. In Cathal Murphy, Oisins have one of the most underrated forwards in the

county and if Murphy is on target Oisins should prevail. Oisins make 6 changes to their

starting 15 from last year’s final; a testament to the squad they

assembled.

Likewise St Brendan's will look to Aaron Murtagh to provide the spark that will lead to

victory. If Brendan's play Murtagh inside they will be in with a real shout, however if

Murtagh plays out linking play Brendan's may struggle to get the scores they need to get

over the line. Murtagh is at his most dangerous when he's left one on one with only his

marker between him and goal.

What Brendans must not do is concede an early goal because If they do, Oisins will drop

in numbers behind the ball and hit Brendan's on the break with their fluent counter –

attacking football. In McCaughy, Harper, McGee and Murphy they have forwards to

punish any holes which are left in the Brendan's defence.

Brendans on their day are capable of beating anyone; if Sands, Murtagh, Conway,

Gibney and the Connolly brothers hit top form they may just come out on top. But

Oisins have been the form team and it's difficult to look past them at this stage.

Team Talk—Oisins

Name: Rory McLaughlin

DOB: 23/04/86

Previous club: Slaughtmanus

Position: Wing/Centre half-

back

They head into the last four of the championship as many people’s favourites for the champion-

ship. McLaughlin denies this and points to John Mitchels as the firm favourites even though they

had the upper-hand on them in the big games this year. ‘John Mitchels deserve a lot of respect for

what they have achieved in Lancashire over the years and the way in which they have represented

the county, but no I don't see that as any kind of physiological advantage for us (Oisins’ recent

wins over Mitchels). There are some very good teams in Lancashire. You have Brendan's, Peters

and Mitchels who will all be raring to go come the semis, it’s hard to pick winners in any game.’

St.Brendans, Oisins’ opponents on Sunday, have been inconsistent this year but who knows what

will happens on Sunday. Without a doubt, they have some of the classiest players in the county;

but need a full team effort to win this game. McLaughlin and co will fancy their chances of

victory.

One of the advantages that Oisins have over the rest of the teams in the county is the size of their

squad, they are actually fielding Junior B teams this year with a lot of players hailing from Ulster.

In this pick, there is quality. ‘Having a big panel certainly helps when a team has injuries and also

during the summer months when players are on holidays or have work commitments, Oisins are

always looking to recruit players and I think the set up we have at Bedians helps us do that.’ They

have recruited well. At the forefront of this recruitment is Dungiven man, Niall Farren. He is

Oisins to the core. ‘I think Niall’s knowledge of football from his county days and coaching at

university level (Sigerson) have certainly helped elements of our game and players to develop,

training is always very well thought out and competitive.’

Having such a huge panel and a dedicated management team is helped by the setup at their home

venue. Old Bedians really has had no rivals in the county when it comes to their facilities and it

has recently improved. ’It's great to turn up for training and matches at Bedians. The club have

recently extended the pitch, put up new posts, built fantastic dugouts and there's a lot more to

come. It’s always kept in good nick and that's a credit to the club men we have been lucky to have

over the years.’

With the big panel, excellent facilities and outstanding results thus far; is McLaughlin feeling the

pressure as the season enters the most important period? Simple, no. ‘I haven't felt much pressure

yet but I'm sure that will change over next few weeks as the game gets closer. I haven't changed

much in August to be honest, I think it's important to keep trying hard in training, stay away from

injuries and fight for a place on the team come the next game.’

Modest McLaughlin neglected to look on the excellent

season that Oisins have been having this year and

states that ‘they have been lucky to get an odd goal or

two in games.’ This writer however fails to accept it, as

Oisins have been simply outstanding the whole

season through; on both Junior and Senior fronts. In

Junior, they have collected both the league and

championship without any fuss; while in the senior

ranks they have lifted Pennine League Division 2

easily (relegated from the first division last year as

they decided to give this league little attention) and the

Lancashire Senior League.

Team Talk— St.Brendans

DOB: 19 March 1985

Position: Goalkeeper /

Midfield

Previous Club: Carryduff

The Brendans in recent years have become a steady top four

team in the county. On their day, they can be the best. Only last

year they were the width of the crossbar of making the final as

their last attack blazed over the bar. They work from a small

squad, but it is a group littered with fantastic footballers. They

face Oisins, the team who have brushed aside all before them this

year, in the semi-final and Alder believes it will be a tight affair.

‘I think the game itself will come pretty close to the wire, I would

have confidence that if we were able to get a few early scores, that

we would gain more confidence and push on.’ Alder undestands

that Oisins bring a huge physical dimension to the table, but this

is something that the Brendans will not shirk and says they

will have to curtail this element of their game. ‘A big thing would

also be competing in the middle as Oisins have shown that their

midfield section are pretty mobile and well able to get their

scores.’ It is here that Alder believes the likes of Sean Sands and

John Gibney can gain a foothold.

‘Sands has certainly carried the team this year and has always led from the front so we will definitely be looking for

the fella to get us going. Likewise Gibney, he is another influential player for us and has been for a number of

years.’ This will lead to robust exchanges in the middle so expect fireworks here with Ciaran Harper, Niall Don-

nelly and Gerald McCaughey in opposition.

A highlight of Oisins’ play this year has been their breaking/running game where they attack in numbers after

flooding men back in defence and Alder believes that sticking to their men is essential; also winning their personal

battles is key. ‘Our defenders need to be get touch-tight to their opposite number. Oisins are a physical side and will

definitely back themselves to win their personal battles. If we can move the ball quickly and take that element out

of the game then we won’t be far off at the end.’

This is the time of year to look forward to if you’re lucky enough to be playing football (Alder has also been

training with Manchester AFL team Burnage in August to keep his fitness levels up) and any poor football played

beforehand can be rectified by a single semi-final win, but Alder laments the poor form that Brendans have showed

this year. ‘The Pennine league was certainly indifferent for us. We had a number of players who were unavailable

at certain stages of the year, but we had a few new recruits coming in, so trying to get a settled squad was important

rather than the results. Having said that, the Mitchels game at Trafford MV certainly showed us what stage we were

at and where the standard in the county is. The championship game against St. Peter’s was a hard test for some of

our younger contingent and I think our lads gained a lot from the game. Hopefully we can push on from that for the

rest of the year.’ This year St.Brendans have found a home at the Trafford MV and it is an impressive setup. They

can avail of changing rooms, car park and an excellent playing surface and it is something that they are very proud

of, which can strengthen the club as a whole. ‘It’s been a very positive thing, not just for St. Brendans but within

Lancashire GAA in general. The facilities at Trafford MV have impressed me and the crowd there have been very

welcoming. It’s great to have a base of sorts that the club can use to socialise and for the administrative side. A

highlight would be running the 7s competition at the start of the year.’

St.Brendans have been there or thereabouts come championship time in recent years, but never get over the line.

Come Sunday they will need their established players of Sands, Gibney, Aaron Murtagh, Niall and Ciaran Connolly

and of course Alder to step up to the plate yet again; but the supporting cast must also play their part to push

Brendans past a rampant Oisins team.

Oisins

1. Micheal Donnelly

2. Damien Fitzpatrick 3. Michael Comney 4. Shaun Og Monteith

5. Fergus Riley 6. Rory McLaughlin 7. Ryan Devine

8.Paul Noone 9.Niall Donnelly

10. Gerard McCaughey 11. Ciaran Harper 12.PJ McGee

13. Chrissy O’Connor 14. Tiarnan O’Hagan 15. Cathal Murphy

Fir Ionad

16. Conor Morrisey 17.Maurice Lynch 18.Ciaran Dunne 19. Johnny Garrity

20. Fintan McCloskey 21. Aidan Carberry 22. Seamus

Kerlin 23. Stevie McCrory 24. Thomas Harkin 25. Peter O’Connell 26.Eamon

Breslin 27. Nichloas Rafferty 28. Conor Teague 29. Ryan Kelly 30.David Doherty

St.Brendans

1. Declan Alder

2. Nathan Plant 3. Michael Collins 4. Ryan Sweeney

5. Lee Gavin 6. Paddy Murphy 7. Ciaran Connolly

8. Stephen Sands 9. Niall Connolly

10. Caolan Conroy 11. John Gibney 12. Aaron Murtagh

13. Liam Kelly 14. Colm Conroy 15. Stephen Rafferty

Fir Ionad

Not available at the time going to print

John Mitchels

V

St.peters

Preview

The two biggest rivals in Lancashire football lock horns in this intriguing clash that rightfully

takes its place as top billing. John Mitchels have become the number 1 team in the county over-

taking St.Peters in recent times and not one man in black or yellow can argue this point. This is

championship football however and with John Mitchels not firing on all cylinders, St.Peter’s have

a chance.

By all accounts, St.Peters have been going well in training and when you look back at the last time

these two met in the Lancashire League in Greenbank, Mitchels only won by a point. When the

two teams have full squads, then a tight match will ensue. Mitchels have lost Kieran Lynham and

Mickey Molloy from their inside forward line, even a senior club back home would feel this lost;

but up step a revitalised Eddie Jackson. He has revelled in the inside forward line this year; his

physical strength and football know-how has seen him been the go-to man for Mitchels. Paddy

Mulligan has also played to his usual high standards and floats between the half-forward and

full-forward line to devastating effect. Add into the forward pot the industrious Franko Cassidy,

the tireless duo of Colly Murphy and Craig Owen and the speed of Aidan Kearney; then they have

a bit of everything. Their main engine driving the team remains Pauric McGuirk. Many people

feel his talents are wasted at full-back, this might well be true, but he brings such composure and

reassurance to this position that Barry Morris feels he needs him there. He has been playing more

up the field this year and his long powerful runs have caused headaches for the opposition. John

Mitchels make 5 changes to the starting 15 from last years final, which shows the squad that they

possess. Overall, it may not be who is available or not, or who performs well or not, that comes

down to a Mitchel’s victory; it may come down to two things; hunger and tiredness.

Peter’s on the other hand, should have a hunger to them. They have not really added to the squad

but look to the ‘old stagers’ of Liam Coyne, Gary Morris, Ronan Gallagher, James Quinn and

Kevin Lanigan to push them to victory. One big addition is the return of Eoin Meaney who fired

them to the All-Britain in 2012. Peters with Lanigan in the middle, have a real driving force here

and if they decide to push Coyne to the edge of the square then winning midfield and pumping ear-

ly balls will be key. A major factor in a Peter’s victory is discipline. Make no mistake about it,

there is no love lost between these two teams and if discipline was that bit better in their previous

meeting then Peter’s may have won. A big game is expected from Gary Morris who will probably

line-out at centre-half back. He is as good as any player in the county and his contribution will be

key.

It’s hard to look past a John Mitchels victory. They may be a long time on the road, but it is John

Mitchels; they know how to play championship football. Expect less than 30 men on the field after

the 60 minutes and a Mitchels victory by 5 or 6.

www.lancsgaa.co.uk

Name: Francis Cassidy

DOB: 17/10/1990

Position: Half-forward

Previous club: Roger Casements Por t-

John Mitchels play St.Peter’s in the second of

the games on Sunday and Cassidy can’t wait, ‘I

always enjoy playing Peters as the games are

hard hitting, intense and very physical. Peters

are a team who John Mitchels always have

great respect for and the games are always

played in a great manner.’ Cassidy understands

that these games are special and come champi-

onship time anything can happen. ‘Peters will

be no pushover as it was not long ago they won

the competition in 2012, so I'm sure the game

will be another hard fought battle.’

Team Talk—john mitchels

This semi-final is another leg in a continuous season for Mitchels which ‘ended’ in February and

‘began’ in February of this year. Their previous championship campaign began in Wavertree in May

of 2014 and ended in Croke Park in February of 2015, this year’s championship campaign commenced

in May and continues on Sunday. ‘It has been an extremely busy year after our run last year, but once

the season is finished I was just looking to getting straight back into it and after a few weeks off this

was certainly the case. I think a lot of boys would agree that they rely on the GAA set ups over here in

Britain and without it, I'm sure a lot of Irish people wouldn't stay as long as they do over here.’ This

sentiment is echoed throughout Lancashire. Franco points to the management duo of Barry Morris and

Colm Gallagher for help keeping the hunger to the forefront and for their excellent management skills,

‘ We are very lucky to have such an excellent management team,’ Cassidy remarks. ‘Barry and Colm

are a credit for their hard work, year in, year out and to keep the boys focused for the next game

ahead.’

Cassidy insists they have leaders all over the field, as well on the sideline; to propel them to another

championship success. He has a special mention however for two people in the team, Pauric McGuirk

and Paddy Mulligan. ‘They are two excellent footballers and are very important to John Mitchels. The

rest of the team have a lot of respect for these two individuals.’ McGuirk and Mulligan have indeed

been the standout players for them for a number of years, not only have these two excelled on the

football field with their skills; but they have carried themselves with great modesty and

professionalism, something which makes them revered by every player in the county.

At the end of their long campaign they had the chance to play in Croke Park and Cassidy states that

‘everyone since they were a young boy always has that dream of playing in Croke Park in an All-

Ireland final and it was an incredible experience (to be part of)’. He points to the great camaraderie that

has been built up within the club to add extra flavour to his experience ‘It was even better playing with

a great bunch of lads who you have trained hard with all year. I would say that although the occasion

was very special, losing any match that you play is hard to take but it was extremely hard to lose an All

-Ireland final. We are now fully concentrated on the next game of the championship and forgetting

about last year.’ No doubt Morris will have this drilled into them. Cassidy refuses to be drawn into the

‘new’ rivalry brewing up with Oisins and he is wholly focussed on St.Peters, the only thing he believes

is that ‘Oisins are the favourites for the championship.’

Cassidy’s love of football is clearly evident, he didn’t want a rest after 12 months of constant football.

Even looking on his facebook page he has updated his profile picture of him playing in Croke Park for

the John Mitchels (he also coaches gaelic football in his primary school). Championship time is back

and he has the fever, all of the ‘old hands’ in the squad will mirror his hunger come Sunday no doubt.

Add this to their undeniable talent and pedigree and the Mitchels will be on the championship march

again. The rest of the county beware.

Team Talk— St.Peters

Name: Liam Coyne

DOB: 8/5/1987

Position: Midfield/Full for -

ward

Previous Clubs: St.Annes

Liam understands the daunting task that

awaits him and St.Peter’s when they take to the

field to lock horns with reigning British

champions, John Mitchels. The ‘old foes’

always go toe-to-toe when the ball is thrown in,

add the fact that the Liverpool men have taken

the supremacy mantle from them in recent

times; adds to what should be a mouth

watering contest. Liam states that ‘Mitchels

are a great team and will be favourites for the

game and the competition, they will be going

for 3 in a row this year after superbly

representing Lancashire football and British

GAA in an All-Ireland Final.’ You can see

there is admiration in the tones of the

St.Peter’s man and he continues along the same

vein.

‘There is a great respect between both clubs, I have formed great friendships by representing the

County with Mitchels players.’ This friendship however will go out the window come the semi-

final, Coyne elaborates ‘games against Mitchels are hard hitting, fast-paced football, yet no matter

the result we always shake hands after game. It’s fair to say both sets of players will know they

have been in a game for a few days after.’

Coyne believes that Peters are improving as the season has gone along, pointing to their a waiting

Junior final as evidence. To back up his belief, is this case: John Mitchels have lost in recent

games in Senior and Junior football, which is something of a rarity Coyne certainly believes an

upset is on the cards, ‘we are confident, training well and have injured players coming back into

the fold and the management have made quality additions to team this year so competition on plac-

es is fierce.’

2012 is always in the minds of anyone who has been associated with St.Peter’s GAC. A mile-

stone moment for the club; but they haven’t pushed on to dominate in a way which many people

would have believed. Coyne insists ‘I want it again!’ This was his first taste of Senior football and

to a win county championship and an All-Britain in his first year, was something he’ll never for-

get. ‘To be honest in my opinion, we haven’t been on form since 2012, the All-Britain winning

year.’ Injuries have played a big part in this; more-so this year than any other, ‘the start of this year

we have been crippled by injuries but we have hit a smooth patch at the moment. With players

coming back into fitness and hopefully making their mark by getting a starting jersey come semi-

final. The whole team is in the right mindset, you can see that in training. Hopefully we can apply

it to the game.’ He doesn’t single-out a person for praise, but points to a collective effort from all

players and management who put on the St.Peter’s jersey.

Coyne has been there and done it, not just county, but an All-Britain. He wants it again. Come the

September 13th , the same person will leave everything on the field in his quest to reach the

Lancashire County Final. I wouldn’t want to be in his way.

John Mitchels

1. Matty Deaney

2. Alan Browne 3. David McTeggart 4. Niall McShane

5. Sean Rice 6. Pauric McGuirk 7. Marty Carey

8. John McDermott 9. Denis O’Neill

10. Colly Murphy 11. Francis Cassidy 12. Craig Owen

13. Paddy Mulligan 14, Edward Jackson 15. Aidan Kearney

Fir Ionad

16. John O’Hagan 17.Alan Murray 18.Conal McGlade 19.Rory Sharvin

20. Peter Farrrelly 21. Sean Clarke 22.Mark Sweeney 23. Daniel McGonigle

24.Paddy Murphy 25. Michael Molloy 26. Rory Carty 27. Sean Carty 28. Darren

Healey 29.Aidan McCartan 30. Michael Mooney