McGuigan looks ahead to another big weekend
LAST Saturday afternoon when Slaughtneil’s squad were being put through their paces, club chairman Sean McGuigan was looking over the wire with pride.
The upcoming Ulster Final meeting with Kilcoo is the latest chapter in GAA’s most documented adventure.
It’s been a busy three years on the road, but in a quiet moment before training McGuigan posed the question to nephew and experienced campaigner Barry – what else would you be doing?
The affable wing back’s answer was as much witty as it was expected. Every squad needs a joker, that person to break the ice in moments of tension. “What else would you be doing only lying around the house putting on weight,” came the answer.
On Saturday morning the aroma of fried bacon and eggs will fill the Emmet Park air as the club hosts their annual ‘big breakfast’. Sunday will be different. The big ‘yellow bus’ will snake its way down the Halfgain Road – destination Armagh, a familiar stomping ground.
Since taking over the role from the late Bernard Kearney, himself a highly commended club stalwart, Sean McGuigan has had an eventful term in office.
On championship homecoming nights, standing on the stage, microphone in hand, ‘Big Sean’ welcomed a range of victorious teams up the hall. John McLaughlin was paraded three times, Fr Collins four times and the Martin Mulholland Cup (Derry camogie) on two occasions.
All three Ulster titles were paraded up the hall – special times. There were also nights of disappointment but all the while McGuigan welcomed the teams back to base.
“I remember us talking to John Brennan (back in 2004) and he told us the Ulster campaign, if you are not used to it, is a great campaign to be in,” explained McGuigan.
“Now we have been in it the last three years, I can see what he was talking about. It is a great competition”
During our conversation, current Secretary Ollie McCusker and former Secretary Seamus Mulholland unassumingly dodge past, seeing to club duties.
“Since I came in as chairman three years ago, those type of men are unbelievable with the work that they do,” McGuigan pointed out.
“I couldn’t do my job without these sorts of men. You have the women’s committee as well and it’s only a matter of ringing them for anything and they row in and help you. The work of everyone makes my job very, very easy.”
With the players cocooned away from the hype, there is only one topic that dominates the discussion. The treble – very often it is whispered - choosing not to tempt fate.
The players are keeping it low key. So too is team spokesperson John Joe Kearney. How does the chairman see it?
“If we were to win three Ulsters in one year, I don’t know how you’d explain that,” muted McGuigan.
“I was scared of the semi-final after hearing all about Killyclogher but from chatting to the players, they just take things in their stride and take on what is in front of them.”
McGuigan was a permanent fixture at midfield for Slaughtneil. Then there was a rugby career, a spell as referee and his moniker of ‘Play on Sean.’ He is full of praise for the generation of players presently on the scene.
“The dual players – with having the hurling and football, they are on the crest of a wave at the minute. Fair play to them and they do deserve a lot of credit.
“It’s down to the coaching at underage and a lot of good players came through at the one time – which is a great boost for both codes and it’s paying dividends,” added McGuigan.
McGuigan highlights the balance across the squad – the young and the mature. “The likes of Padríg Kelly, Barry McGuigan and the McEldowney twins, the sort of players you need on a team to be successful.”
Looking out from under his committee hat, McGuigan puts a proportionate slice of credit at Mickey Moran’s door and that calming influence.
“I have a lot of confidence in this team, how relaxed they are - I’d say we didn’t get 10 yellow cards this year, never mind a red.
“To referee a Slaughtneil team it would be very easy done and Mickey has installed that discipline. If people think they are going out to intimidate Slaughtneil to get red cards, that’ll not work.”
Chrissy McKaigue and Aoife Ní Chaiside have already carried silverware into the club this year. Up through a packed hall, through the throngs of people who have helped shape these teams. Sean McGuigan was standing on the stage, as proud as punch.
Win or lose - Francis McEldowney will lead his troops into the clubhouse on Sunday night. The next chapter has not been written yet. McGuigan, McEldowney and Slaughtneil are hoping for another fairytale ending. If only it was that simple.