THE MAGHERA VIEW – Paul
Hughes (Joint Manager)
He has been here so
many times before but Maghera joint-boss Paul Hughes takes nothing for
granted. The Derry school is steeped in
the MacRory Cup but as the big Derrytresk man points out, there has been barren
years.
After dominating during
the 1980s and 1990s the Derry school have only won four titles in the last
twenty years and in particular there was a drought between 2003 and 2013. The tough times motivated them to get back to
the top.
“We have seen the
quieter times in the school also when we had to watch the Tyrone schools have a
period of near dominance and when you are on the outside it generates an extra
enthusiasm to get back to the top table.”
With the media
attention surrounding the competition the buzz and special atmosphere is not
lost on Hughes. “In 2012 Sean Marty
[Lockhart] and Marty [McConnell] brought the buzz of MacRory back into the school
and we have been lucky to have had finals in many age groups lately and across
the codes.”
Like any project you
need the raw materials and Hughes paid tribute to the local clubs. “Kids come into the school with great
grounding in the skills of the game.”
In the previous two
encounters St Patrick’s Maghera were put to the pin of their collar and Hughes
expects nothing else in the final. The
2013 final went right to the dying moments after all.
“They [Bessbrook] are a
John Rafferty team so they will not be short of enthusiasm, heart, desire and
plenty of skill. They have come through
Armagh derby games in play-offs and semi-final games and were very good value
for their win over Enniskillen.”
Hughes accepts his team
will be favourites but is fully aware that Bessbrook won’t stand on
ceremony. “We are guaranteed a
competitive game where they will battle for everything against us and they will
relish the underdog tag.”
Hughes stresses there
are no easy ways to win a MacRory title.
There are no shortcuts. He is a
big believer in attitude and the competitiveness needed to succeed.
“Add in the hype and
the big occasion and there are so many things there that can take away from the
level of performance that is demanded.”
This week the Maghera
players won’t get any fitter, stronger or faster but the mindset will require
fine-tuning. It’s all about the
gameplan.
“Colum [Lavery] talks
to the boys about things being contagious and that can include things like poor
decision making. We will need boys to be
very tuned in to what their jobs and roles are for the team and stick to the
game plan throughout.”
In the last two games
against Omagh and Dungannon, the Derry men blew their opponents away in a
couple of purple patches. We hinted to
Hughes that maybe they were saving their best for the final.
“You always hope to get the perfect show on the big day but how often does it really happen due to pressure of nerves and of course the intensity brought by the other team.”
“We have played in fits
and starts and this won’t be enough to win the game on 17th. We will need to ensure that we get more
things right more often during the game.”
Possession is nine
tenths of the law and at times Maghera’s use of the ball hasn’t been at the
desired level. On other occasions they
would’ve been punished. Going into
Thursday’s game Hughes and Lavery will be drumming home the simple messages.
“Our use of the ball
being good all over the pitch, ensuring the ball goes dead when we are in
possession to prevent the fast break, to ensure that we make good use of
possession and don't allow Bessbrook to close us down easily.”
Anytime you talk to
Paul Hughes it’s impossible not to be taken in by his genuine and infectious
enthusiasm. He is part of the fabric of
Maghera’s GAA heritage and is relishing the opportunity to bring another title
back to the school.
“The school has a
particular affinity with MacRory stretching right back through to Adrian
[McGuckin] establishing St Patrick's as a force in the competition. It’s a day
for everyone to celebrate the work of their club representatives on the panel.”
Derry minor manager
Damien McErlain scored 0-5 in the 1995 final and holds two winners’ medals and
Hughes references the importance of a link between club and county.
“Last year's Ulster
Minor win with Damian was a fantastic achievement and allowed people to dream
big again in the county.”
“These boys can add a
MacRory then it emphasises a generation of talented players coming through, all
on the back of what clubs like Glen and Slaughtneil have achieved.”
Hughes concludes by
summarizing why the MacRory Cup is special.
“It’s a unique opportunity to play high level sport with their friends,
boys that they have been with for maybe seven years of their school life.”
“They will all go separate
ways after U6th so it is almost like the final piece in the jigsaw of their
childhood before they head out into the universities, cities and workplaces of
the country.”
Maghera are favourites
to land a 15th title but in the aftermath of their below par
performance and a narrow play-off win against the Abbey, St Patrick’s Day in
the Athletic Grounds seemed a million miles away.
Standing outside the
Maghera dressing room in The Dub that night Hughes’ opening line in his
interview was “in championship all you ever want is
to be in front at the end of it.”
As the clock ticks
towards half past two on Thursday, Hughes will be hoping to be on the right
side of the result. A husky voice, an
imposing figure, ever the competitor but a gentleman under the trademark flat
cap.
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