Derrygonnelly manager Martin Greene steered the club to an historic double on Saturday night as his side added the league title to the championship crown. And the Harps boss stresses that the achievements of 2015 are dedicated to the late Damian McGovern who died in a work related accident earlier this year.
“We have dedicated all that we won this year to Damian McGovern and his family. He is a legend within the club and when the boys left the changing room they were determined to do it for Damian. That probably brought us over the line,” said Greene.
Derrygonnelly confirmed their spot at the top of the Fermanagh tree with a hard fought win over a battling Ederney on Saturday night and Greene says that is a just reward for the work put in by his players.
“It has been ten long months and the players have got their rewards on Saturday. We’re delighted to have done the double which is a first for the club. It’s a great achievement for all involved and the club itself and in fairness to the boys, I could not have asked for any more from them,” he added.
Greene though states that they cannot be satisfied solely with what they have achieved in 2015 and that the target has to be try and hold on to the championship title next year.
The ambition now has to be get back to back championship titles, that is what we should be aiming for,” he said.
With heavy underfoot conditions, Saturday night was never going to be a free flowing affair but Greene feels the only thing that mattered was the result.
“With the conditions and the weather it was attritional and it was about getting a result. Last year the boys played in a league final and played really well but they ended up losing it so we’re just glad to have won it this year. We ground out the win and I would have to say that Ederney were very unlucky, on another day they could easily have won that game. But, we said that a one point win would help us achieve our goal so we are more than happy to just get over the line.”
And the key for the win according to the Harps manager was his defence.
“I knew that if we could get into the lead then our defence would be hard to breakdown. We haven’t conceded more than seven scores in a game for the last five games in a row. At this time of year and in these conditions, if your defence is solid then you always have a chance.”
He believes though that Ederney could well be major contenders for silverware over the next couple of years.
“Ederney will be there or thereabouts over the next year or two. Their aim will be to win a championship and with the likes of Marty McGrath catching ball as well as anyone in the county they will not be far away. They are well managed by Mark (Henry) and they’re a great group of players.”