Aughnasheelin hope to emulate Carrigallen
Aughnasheelin will be hoping history repeats itself next Sunday when they attempt to become only the second team from the County to beat a Galway side in the Connacht Club Championships when they take on St. Michaels in the AIB Intermediate Semi-Final in Cloone (2.30 throw-in).
Carrigallen created their own slice of history two years ago when they lowered the colours of Menlough in the Intermediate Semi-Final, becoming the first team from Leitrim to beat a Galway team in a Provincial Club Championship.
Aughnasheelin are hoping to emulate Carrigallens feat in Cloone against a highly rated Galway City side St. Michaels!
Aughnasheelin Manager Liam Higgins is eagerly awaiting the contest after his teams victory over St. Molaise Gaels in the first round in Markievicz Park but he admitted that his charges faces a big step-up on Sunday – "Were looking forward to it, there is a great buzz at training since the win in Sligo.
"St Michaels are going to be a tougher prospect for us next Sunday. They are a very young team who like to move the ball fast. They are very accurate in front of goals and theyll take some beating," said Liam who pointed out that the fact that the game is at home will be a huge boost to the Leitrim representatives.
Fortune certainly shone on Aughnasheelin in that regard as Ballinamore hosted the CarrigallenÓgame two years ago but with a new draw, it is the Tribesmen who must make the journey – "Having the game at home is definitely a great help to us and we are happy enough that the game is in Cloone. I know our lads are looking forward to it and anyone who was in Markievicz Park can see our lads are up for this competition."
Liam will also be hoping that last Mondays League defeat to Gortletteragh wont hinder their chance – "We picked up a few knocks on Monday in the League against Gortletteragh but Id be hopeful enough that we have a full team to pick from for Sunday.
"It was a tough match but a match like that is better than 10 training sessions. Losing the game might drive the boys on, particularly in the way we lost it. We were seven points up and we let them back into it. So hopefully, the boys will learn from that and it will drive them on next Sunday."
As for a verdict, Liam said "It is all about performing on the day. It is hard to know how good St. Michaels are, all we have to go on is a few dvds. But if we play up to our potential, I cant see us being very far off it," said Liam.
If Aughnasheelin have shown an ability to finish well in tight games, St. Michaels have done the same inÓgalway after they overcame a Shay Walsh led Glenamaddy in the Galway Intermediate Final.
This full report is available thanks to John Connolly and Leitrim Observer
– its available in this weeks edition of the Observer and online here
31-Oct-08 by LeitrimObserver.ie
