Tattyreagh stand on the brink of back-to-back promotions, and victory in tomorrow’s LCC Tyrone IFC final will see them complete a remarkable rise from Junior to Senior football in the space of a year.
Opponents Augher will, however, display no sentiment in the Healy Park decider as they target a return to the top grade.
Tattyreagh manager Stephen McHugh says the entire community has been captivated by the exploits of a talented team.
“For a team that was in Division Three last year to come right up here, to get to the final of the Intermediate Championship, three finals in a row, for a small club, is absolutely fantastic,” he said.
“It’s what dreams are made of. We have a big battle ahead with Augher, but this is great credit to a wee small club with 125 families or so.
“To be able to build a team and take that team up to get a chance to go to Division One is absolutely phenomenal.
“The spirit of the whole club is great, they’re amazing people and it’s a fantastic achievement for them.”
Augher will bring significant firepower to the contest, including in-form attacker Darragh Kavanagh, who scored 2-9 in the semi-final win over Stewartstown, while Raymond McElroy can also rack up the scores, and Aidan McElroy has been a midfield powerhouse throughout the season.
“They’re a good side, but we’re going to do our homework. At the end of the day, we have to go out and play who’s in front of us, they’re a good side and we’ll do what we can,” said McHugh.
“This is once in a lifetime opportunity, and I hope they take it, because they fully deserve it.”
James Darcy is Tattyreagh’s chief marksman, and the impact of Johnny Harkin and Collie Harkin at midfield will be crucial to their title bid.
Augher manager Eamon Kavanagh is hoping his side’s impressive attacking form will be maintained on the big stage.
“We know it’s going to be a massive challenge, but all you can do is hope you’ll go out and play the way you can play on any given day,” he said.
“Augher have been in senior football before, but I don’t think they have ever won an Intermediate Championship.”
And if the prolific Darragh Kavanagh is on song, then the St Macartan’s will be difficult to beat.
“Darragh is a great footballer, he has two good feet, and that’s what football is all about, getting it to the right men and taking your chances.”
The loss of full forward Aidan Cassidy through injury, however, is a big blow, and his experience will be badly missed.
“Aidan is a massive part of this club, massive part of this team, and he is a serious loss to us, but you get setbacks and you have to deal with them, and that’s what we have done.”
