Jack McCann, the joint captain of Erne Gaels has admitted that there have been moments where he has thought about what it would be like to win a Fermanagh senior title but the talented defender has his feet firmly on the ground in terms of how he is approaching what promises to be a titanic battle with defending champions Derrygonnelly Harps;
“I have thought about it, winning the championship, and you want to do what the ‘81 team did but at the same time you don’t want to get carried away with that either and we won’t be getting ahead of ourselves and even though this will be our first final I think we are a settled enough squad to not let the occasion get to us.”
McCann reported that the mood in the camp was ‘really good’ as Sunday approaches and that there has been a real intensity to the preparations;
“We have been training hard ever since the semi final so we have been very happy with how things have been going. There is a serious competition for places and everyone is really on their toes.”
This Erne Gaels team have been a real work in progress over the last number of years and reached a semi final last season. This season they have gone one better and McCann believes that they have been building well for Sunday’s task;
“We have been working on last year and I think improving as a team. Last year definitely stood to us and this year we have been getting more consistent as the season has gone on.”
In terms of Derrygonnelly McCann knows that his side face a team who have been the dominant force in Fermanagh over the past 12 months;
“They are a very good side and they are county champions and league winners and they are really experienced. You have county men and former county men and then players who have been playing club football for ten years or more who are top players so they are obviously a really good team,” he stated, but was quick to add that it was important that they kept the bulk of their focus inward as they prepare for Sunday’s clash;
“But we are not taking our eyes off our own performance too much. We have to look at Derrygonnelly and prepare for them but we have to look at ourselves and go out and play our own game, that’s the most important thing.”
In terms of where the game will be won or lost the Erne Gaels defender believes that it might come down to good old fashioned desire;
“I think they are very strong around the middle and that is going to be a key area, who wants it more in that area and who is the hungrier in that area could play a big part.”
Reflecting on the mood in Belleek McCann says it is good to see fever pitched being reached among supporters but also explained that the players are not allowing themselves to get caught up in the wave of excitement;
“We don’t get to enjoy it as much as the supporters because we have to go out and try and win the game but it is nice to see flags up around the town and it is great to see the excitement among the fans,” the Erne Gaels joint captain stated.
McCann will have a key role to play on Sunday if Erne Gaels are to bridge that 35 year gap and while he may not be letting his mind wander too far in terms of what it will be like to win the New York Cup McCann knows that the team stand on the brink of history and he also knows that in order to achieve their goal it is going to take calm heads and cool temperament.