One pertinent point to come out of the game was that the teams did not finish as they lined out. St Michael’s shuffled the pack quite considerably from a positional viewpoint with Damian Shannon reverting to full back and Paul Gunn going to midfield. Elsewhere, Peter Sherry picked up Omagh dangerman Aidan McCarron after twenty minutes with Stephen Burns going into the centre. It would be hard to envisage Gunn starting in midfield and I would expect St Michael’s to begin with a line out very similar to that which started the first game. Michael Cunningham did well when he came on as a substitute and will push for a starting place but positionally Enniskillen will probably revert back to plan ‘A’.

    The overall view would be that St Michael’s did not perform as they can on the day and that this is the key to victory. Quite succinctly they must up it a gear or two and play more to their strengths and then the spoils will come their way. The midfield did not play as well as they did in the quarter finals or semi finals with the third Omagh midfielder of Leo Meenan causing a lot of problems. St Michael’s will hope to garner more possession in the middle from which better distribution will allow the forwards to show their undoubted class.

    Of the forwards only Ciaran O’Reilly really was on top for the whole hour with his all round play as impressive as his scoring acumen. Niall Gormley, whose build up to the game was hampered by injury, will have benefitted from the game and should be a lot sharper come the replay. Elsewhere, the forwards played in fits and starts but in fairness the quality of the ball into the attacking sextet was hampered by the gale blowing throughout the game. The scoring pattern suggests that it was easier to play into the wind and certainly St Michael’s played their best in the final quarter when they finally got their short passing and support game underway. Hopefully the prevailing weather will allow St Michael’s to play their normal game throughout the sixty minutes but to do that they will need to be more dominant at midfield.

    In defence, St Michael’s were a little over eager, commiting too many fouls with the wing half forwards of Omagh, Aidan McCarron and Austin Donaghy, causing plenty of problems. Omagh CBS certainy have a talented bunch of forwards who will cause problems if allowed. St Michael’s will certainly be looking to curtail the supply to the forwards while tightening up as a unit. Omagh only scored two points in the last twenty minutes and the St Michael’s defence will hope to start the replay as they finished the first game.

    Many believe that Omagh have shot their bolt, that underdogs only get one shot at the glory and that the favourites always come through in the replay. This attitude would be a serious under estimation of the quality of an Omagh side which has a very impressive half back and half forward line. They are also strong in midfield and the replay will very much be another 50-50 game. There can be no doubt that St Michael’s can improve but equally this was Omagh’s first final for 27 years and they too will be confident of improving. But who will improve the most, now that is the question?

    Dom Corrigan is confident his charges can do the business and will learn from the first game, “ we are looking forward to the game. We have had two weeks to take stock of the first game and we are under no illusions of the task that awaits us. Our aim will be to improve both individually and collectively and if we do we will be in with a big chance. Niall Gormley is recovered from his ankle sprain and we will see a fitter and stronger Gormley this time around.”

    Team selection is expected to be along similar lines with Ciaran Smith the only injury worry with an ankle problem. Dom concluded, “ the boys can’t wait. We have been keeping fresh and focussed since the first game. The experience of playing in a final will stand them in good stead and they are mad keen to get out and play.”

    Dom is delighted that both games are now in Casement not only from his own perspective but also for the supporters, “ obviously Clones would have been better for both sets of supporters but it is rare to get two teams into two Ulster finals never mind on the one day and I know the supporters will be there rallying us on.”