Devenish take on Tempo in Brewster Park this Saturday evening as they hope to go one better in this year’s Intermediate final after their hopes of winning the same Championship ended in the dying seconds of last year’s final against Erne Gaels.
Goalkeeper Thomas Treacy is hoping to see his team build on last year’s performance.
“I think it was a big thing getting to the final last year because we had a very young squad and we have been in a period of transition.
“We didn’t do ourselves justice in the final and we still nearly stole it in the end. I hope that experience from last year stands to us in this year’s final,” he said.
Devenish’s long stint in Division One ended this year after suffering relegation alongside Roslea, but Treacy says this year’s Championship has been their goal.
“It’s been our main priority this season and I think that’s the same for most clubs – it’s the big prize, and there isn’t as big an emphasis on the league anymore.
“Obviously, the league was disappointing this year. We had a bad run with injuries and lads away and we never really got going.”
The Garrison side won all three group games against Derrylin, Maguiresbridge and Belcoo before sealing their spot in the final with another comfortable victory over Derrylin in the semi.
“There are no easy games in the Intermediate in Fermanagh so we were well aware that the group games would be difficult, but we got off to a great start against Derrylin, and we then just built momentum with each game.
“Our aim was to top the group and get straight into a semi-final, which we achieved. The semi-final was the fourth time we played Derrylin this year and each encounter was very tight, so we knew we had to be at our best.
“Personally, I think it’s a very good Championship format,” he added.
Saturday’s opponent’s, Tempo, also have a 100 per cent record in this year’s Intermediate run with group game wins over Irvinestown, St Pats, and Lisnaskea.
Tempo went on to beat Belcoo in their semi-final and Treacy knows how difficult a game it will be at the weekend.
“Tempo are a very good side and they have shown that, to date, in the Championship.
“Six or seven of that team have Senior Championship medals with a lot of experience. They are a big, physical team that are very well organised and well drilled.
“Ryan Breen, Aidan Breen and Tiarnan Bogue have been about the county set-up the past couple of years and they will present a big challenge on Saturday evening.”
However, Treacy has his sights set on lifting silverware this Saturday night.
“It would be a massive lift for the club and this group of players. As I said, we are a relatively young squad. It’s 26 years since our last Championship win.
“We have plans to start a big development at the club grounds, our U-15s won the Championship recently, and our U-17s are in the Division One final, so the future is bright. The Intermediate title would top off a great year for the club,” he concluded.
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