THERE'S no substitute for experience on a big championship Sunday, and Rock had the very man for the occasion.
Ciaran Gourley rolled back the years with a majestic performance as the Tyrone champions swept to victory over Cornafean at Kingspan Breffni Park in the Ulster Club JFC.
The treble All-Ireland winner was the architect of his side’s 4-12 to 0-7 win over the
Cavan side, the midfield general who plotted a comfortable passage to the semi-finals.
“Conor McCreesh and Aidan McGarrity stepped up when it came to taking the scores, but Ciaran Gourley was the man,” said manager Adrian Nugent.
“His performance was unbelievable, we started him in the middle of the field, and his performance was exemplary from start to finish.
“He was the driving force, and the boys responded to it and kicked on from it.”
A first half goal-rush helped Rock to a nine-point interval lead. McGarrity, Enda McWilliams and Paudie Ward all hit the net and the Red Hand men were flying.
And with their opponents down to 14 men following the straight red card dismissal of ace attacker Barry Doyle, victory was virtually assured by that stage.
But they refused to allow complacency to creep in, and maintained their focus and momentum right to the finish, adding a fourth goal through skipper Tommy Bloomer.
“We kept the momentum going, even though we were well ahead, and with 15 minutes to go, we changed things, ran the bench,” said Nugent.
Cornafean could not match the experience of a Rock side familiar with this level of competition.
St Patrick’s won the Ulster JFC in 2007 and 2014, and are bidding to become the first Tyrone club to lift three provincial titles.
“Cornafean are not a bad team, but they probably haven’t encountered the style of football we have been playing, the tenacity and the will to win.
“We have a lot of experience in junior football, and we feel we are now playing intermediate football in a junior competition.”
The Tyrone men are back in action on Sunday week when they face Newtownbutler in the semi-final. The Fermanagh side were comfortable 1-15 to 1-9 winners over Drumgath of Down on Sunday.
“Newtownbutler will present us with a different type of challenge altogether,” said Nugent.
“It’s a new encounter a new day, a new dawn, so it’s a good opportunity, even for young fellows coming through.”
