My earliest memories of the club were from U12 footie. Unfortunately it’s that long ago that I can’t remember the management team! It was probably Dessie Grimes who took most of the underage teams then. I had many a discussion with my peers: Beesley, Flea, Wee Baldy and of course Gerard. In them days we did everything together. We crossed the back fields to the pitch to start our footballing adventure. In those days temporary goals didn’t exist, so standing in the goals as a young boy was a daunting task especially with my stature.
As there was no school football, aside from the kick about when Master McElhatton would actually allow us on the front grass, we didn’t get the opportunities to develop our skills at that early age.
When I look at my own two boys, and see the difference in the core skills they learn in a range of sporting activies through the primary school, I realise now how important it is to instil that into the youth and how it has and will benefit the club in the future. Great credit needs to be given to Mickey Harvey for starting the football within the school, which then led to U8 & U10 football in the club.
Handball - My handballing career…..let’s just say success isn’t a word that could be used. Thankfully there have been better players than myself to represent the club. It’s great to see the handball alley being used again by the youth and hopefully among them well see much success.
The year was 1990. The team was U16…..the glory days…..my biggest and best memories of this time were without doubt winning the double. We played Derrylaughan at Donaghmore. Derrylaughran were the favourites but we were out to prove them wrong. We put in a great display. Mickey “Bann” Donnelly and Hugh Corr were the management and they made some sideline decisions which changed the course of my footballing history.
Mickey Bann made the decision for me to mark ‘monkey’ aka Conor McGrath, one of the tallest players Derrylaughan had to offer. All Bann said was “when he gets the ball just block him”. I took those words literally and endeavoured to do what I was asked. Thankfully it paid of and we won the match.
We also played Greencastle in Tattyreagh. This was a grudge match for Pomeroy. Plunkett McAleer, once a Pomeroy player, now played for Greencastle and to make it even worse I was marking him! By the end of the match I bet he wished he still lived in Pomeroy.
All the success we had wasn’t just by chance. I believe that my pre match routine of watching “Teen Wolf”, to psyche myself up, was the key to our success. I can’t remember the scores as my memory for detail is not that good. I must be getting too old!
I always wondered how I went from being a left back at U16 to a corner forward (mouch) in reserve football. My career at senior level never brought the glory I had experienced in my youth. My time in reserve footie did
give me the opportunity to play with club legends such as Mickey Bann, Eddie Laird (Jnr), both former senior legends that passed on so much experience by playing reserve football, and of course Kieran ‘The Fella’ Laird.
My claim to fame happened on home turf when playing against Newtownstewart reserves. I went in for a high ball in the box with Tyrone legend Finbar McConnell, a collision resulted and surprisingly McConnell ended up on the ground with having me fisted the ball over the bar. Finbar looked up at me and said “how the hell did you get up there?” I would have answered him if I had of known myself!
Senior success – My earliest memory of Pomeroy bringing home silver wear was in Dunmoyle when they won the 1984 Junior Championship beating Urney. The greatest time for following the Plunketts was arguably when the team reached the Intermediate All-Ireland final. Not only was great football played on the field but great club spirit was shown. Travelling to all the different locations especially Manchester showed the club and its members at its best. As a supporter I was proud to see our senior team from a small club being treated like County players.
It has been great to see Pomeroy youth being represented on the Tyrone minor team. It gave me great satisfaction that Hugh-Pat & Sean had once been part of the team I had taken as trainer with Colie McCreesh a few years ago.
I have some wonderful memories of Tyrone winning their 1st All-Ireland title in 2003. For that years championship I assembled a quality team of men that travelled together to all the games. The team consisted of myself, Sean Hurson, Patsy Begley and Emmet Campbell. It was without doubt a winning combination in itself.
We never missed a game and when it came to the final we made sure we would be there. Staying in the team hotel was a bonus never mind having tickets to the banquet, (thanks Frank). Having got a great ticket from my boss, I was sitting in The Hogan Stand. The match was one of the greatest I’d ever watched and when the final whistle blew I couldn’t believe what had just happened. Tyrone were All Ireland champs. Watching Peter Canavan lift that cup was a day I’ll never forget.
The trip wasn’t without it’s controversies however. I can recall Emmet Campbell togged out in County colours (togs, boots, gloves – the works) and trying to solo run down the corridors of the Burlington Hotel at 3am. This could have had an adverse effect on Tyrone’s performance. I’m sure the players were having bother enough getting to sleep without listening to Campbell running the corridors at full pace.
My managing career started with U12 and then moved on with the team to U14. Colie McCreesh was co-manager on both occassions. I suppose my best memory at this level was taking the U14′s to a final. Unfortunately we were beaten by Greencastle in the last kick of the game. The man that said a 2 point lead is a dangerous lead was right and on this occassion a late goal sealed our fate.
When my eldest Odhran started football I moved to U8′s with Big Enda Kilpatrick. Coaching with Enda was a whole new experience. His ability to work with the children and motivate them was a huge learning curve for me at this level. By watching him I saw that football wasn’t all about drills and ball work it was about building confidence and making it fun. He not only coached the children but coached me too.
Moving into U16 management with another club legend Marty Begley was a big step up for me. With Marty’s experience at this level it made the transition easier for me. I believe that as a management team we work well
together. Always knowing what the other was thinking. At the start of the year we set out to win the double. After finishing top of our league we missed out on a semi final place being beaten by a very spirited Dromore
team. I believe this defeat made us stronger as a team. We went on to be County champs beating our neighbours Kildress in a tense encounter.
I would like at this time to thank the lads for all their dedication and effort over the footballing season and congratulate them once again on being county champs. I am very proud of them and it was privilege to work
along side Marty and help take them to glory. Also, I need to thank the footballing widows Paula and Alice for the jersey washing throughout the season and putting up with the endless football talk at home but I’m sure it was worth it.
Hopes for the future, well I hope that the club continues to thrive, that parents continue to support junior football and that it goes from strength to strength. Hopefully all the plans that the club has made for future development can be achieved and that as a community we can work together to bring more for the youth of Pomeroy.
