“Adrian Nugent always got out in front”. That’s the kind of quote you usually hear when “Nudey’s” name is mentioned around the hallowed turf of Plunkett Park. Indeed there is much merit in that statement. No full forward ever got an easy ride when Nudey was about. Adrian plied his trade amongst the defence for the Plunketts and was arguably our best ever full-back recognised by his inclusion in the 1995 Tyrone team that reached the All-Ireland Final.

These days he can be found with a 9 iron breezing down the fairways of Slatequarry Golf Club or more likely chipping onto the greens after finding a bunker on approach. This week we sent the Webwagon on the road again. Armed with set of Nevada Bob’s “Hand-me-downs” and a second hand trolley we joined Nudey for a round of nine and pitched this weeks Q & A.

Q – Nudey, we can remember a nimble defender lining out for the Intermediate Championship Final in 1991. There was a serious buzz around the club back then. Tell us your memories of that time?

A – It’s remarkable that the match your discussing actually was 20 years ago, this year. In those times from what I can recall, there wasn’t the same seriousness as exists today, there was more fun and a number of large characters in the team, whom I am not naming. We were fortunate in 1991 in that we had Doonan Gallagher as a manager and he was ably assisted by Sean Begley and Eddie Laird Snr now deceased. Doonan was a manger of a different generation and he had us doing then what many coaches have copied today. Personally I feel that my career in the Pomeroy Jersey was made easier by the members of the ‘91 team, in that I was a relatively new kid on the block and there were many senior campaigners to advise and control matters, of all sorts!

Q – We also recall how proud we were of your involvement with Tyrone in 1995. You even got to pick the Bingo Balls in St Mary’s Hall!! Tell us about that National League and All-Ireland run.

A – I have many fond memories of this year tinged with regret that I didn’t get to play on a more regular basis but it was great experience which aided my football in many facets. You also get the opportunity to meet new people in a different capacity and develop new friendships  – for example a number of weeks ago we all met up for the Tyrone V Dublin rematch which was great.  Personally I don’t recall picking the Bingo Balls I think there is an element of poetic robbery in that one guys.

I do recall playing golf with Sean Quinn, Frank Campbell and Vinny Beggs on the eve of the All Ireland, even better they let me win in the hope of getting a ticket!

Q – Personally 1995 must have been a massive year for you, certainly “bitter-sweet” with the County All-Ireland defeat and the Club Championship loss? Was it hard to recover from such disappointments on a sporting level?

A – 1995 was a whirlwind year for me and the biggest regret was not beating Clonoe in the Intermediate Final. The game was played in horrendous conditions in Edendork and it just wasn’t our day, many of the 50/50 decisions going against us. In terms of recovering from the disappointment, I feel that football is played on the green grass and once its over you move on to the next issue in front of you – its hard to look back and think that I could have had a nice medal collection that year, but it wasn’t to be.

Q – Over the years you worked with many coaches and managers. Which of those individuals inspired you the most as a player?

Pomeroy have been more than fortunate over the years to have had their disposal some of the finest managers,

• Francie Martin (Carrickmore)
• Doonan Gallagher (Donaghmore)
• Gary Coleman (Magherafelt) & Brian Quinn (Pomeroy)
• Francie Mulgrew (Errigal)
• Sean Begley/Gerard Beggs (Pomeroy)
• Joe Fallon/Brendan Fullen
• Raymond Munroe, Peter Corr, Paul McCallan

All of the above had strong management qualities and I couldn’t pick one over the other.

Q – You were involved with our senior management in recent years. Is coaching of our games important to you? Is it an area that you like to keep involved with?

A – Management is a totally different aspect of the game from playing and in many respects you don’t really give managers enough credit when your playing. I did enjoy the time that I was involved in the Senior set up, however I do have some issues which I will retain. I currently coach the Rock under 12’s and 13’s with Adrian Corrigan which is extremely enjoyable.

Q – You have played both with and against some outstanding opponents including the great Peter Canavan. How do you approach playing against a player of his quality?

A- With extreme difficulty! I was always of the opinion that there were some people that you simply couldn’t mark and Peter was one of those people. It was more important to stop the supply of ball to players of this calibre and then to contain the damage if possible, to stop someone like this getting more than 4pts was always deemed a good day at the office!

Q – Referring to our opening quote that you “always got out in front”, there was always a hand or fist in somewhere. How did you do that? What is the secret?

A – The secret was Peter Corr! For years I had the daunting task of marking ‘Big Corr’ at training and if you could have broke a ball or even have got in front of Corr you were doing well.

He was in my reckoning one of the best footballers to have played for the Plunkett’s he had it all, strength, height and a natural instinct to be in the right place at the right time. If you serviced an apprenticeship which involved bloody noses, torn jerseys and constant bad manners then many other opponents were relatively easy!

Q – 2005 was a big year for the club, having won Tyrone League/Championship, Ulster and beaten All Ireland finalists. What do you recall about this year?

A – 2005 was likely my best year in the Pomeroy Jersey, we were fortunate in that there were 25 plus players pushing for a starting 15. We also had the ‘Munroe’ factor and the Carrickmore self belief transferred to our game, coupled with the local knowledge of Peter Corr and Paul McCallan. This team had an abundance of talented individuals and the management trio gelled the team to breed success. The success of 2005 brought Gaelic football in Pomeroy to a new level and we had many fine nights across in the UK !

Q – What advice would you pass on to young footballers trying to break in to the senior side today?

A – Keep at it and your time will always come. Personally I think Reserve Football provides a great opportunity for any young person to show case their abilities. The Reserve team or ‘stiffs’ are the breeding grounds for a strong Senior team and that’s why I strongly disliked the separation of training, of reserves and seniors.

Q – Senior football is fantastic and its fact that you can only start 15 players on a match day, but the other 15 are of equal importance.

A – I strongly agree with this statement and feel that in some clubs this is not taken as being the way, in many of the Pomeroy teams I played on there were no guarantees of a starting jersey and the threat of loosing a position always kept you fresh! I also recalled that seeing a sub warm up when you may have had a stinker being a good wake up call. Football today is not about the 15 its about the Panel.

Q – It has been argued that Tyrone are a team in a state of transition. What are your thoughts on recent performances at County level?

A – Let’s be honest. The current Tyrone team has given us some wonderful years and you have got to admire their sheer dedication and commitment to the cause for over ten years. Change is always good and I would say that Mickey Harte has his eye on a number of stars for the future, and perhaps we will see another ex-Errigal player join his management team to add another dimension !

Okay Nudey, let go of that putter. It’s quick fire round:

Favourite Premiership team?

Liverpool.

Favourite film?

Braveheart.

Favourite Movie Star?

Mel Gibson.

Favourite Artist/Band/Singer?

U2.

Celebrity that you would most want to take out on a date?

I am far too young to die for saying things like that!!

Which 5 people would you invite to a party if you could take anyone?

My own family. 

Ideal night out?

Meal and a few pints.

Ideal night in?

Match of the Day.

Who’ll win the Intermediate Final?

Kildress.

Who’ll win the Senior Final?

Clonoe.

And on that note, Adrian strokes in a sublime putt from 25 feet whilst we head for the rough with a strimmer in hand……..G-Mac we aint!! Many thanks again to Adrian for taking part in this week’s Q & A and no doubt we’ll be seeing him around Pairc Na Pluinceidi for many years to come.