Harte credits bench as key influence
Coach Doron Harte admitted Garrycastle had come through a tough battle, with strength from the bench providing a decisive factor in their 0-11 to 0-9 victory over Carlow side, Fenagh, in the Leinster Club Intermediate Football Championship round one game on Saturday last.
“We probably didn’t play up to the standards we set for ourselves throughout the year, but after a tough week, I suppose it was to be expected. We won the county final on Monday and that was after a replay the week before so, we’ve been on the road the last three weeks. You could probably see that there in the lads, especially in the first half, but our bench made a huge difference,” he said.
"I suppose the first half we left a lot behind us,” he added, noting that the ratio of points to opportunities was low in that opening period.”
However, the introduction of a number of subs, and added running power late on, helped to take the game away from Fenagh, who were two points up with ten minutes remaining.
The substitutes had “been very good, all year for us, and they’ve been chomping at the bit to get in.”
“I’m delighted for them today, they’ve answered us and probably given it to us, us management, that we should be giving them more game time.”
“They’re two quality players, Ger Heneghan came on there, ex Roscomman senior player, and then James Sheerin, ex-Wicklow player, he’s down on his home patch here, he kicked two points as well.
“Then we’d a couple of young lads who made a huge difference as well, the bit of running power I think got us over the line. When we had them on the stretch, it made a huge difference."
"We’ve been on a run before, in senior, through Leinster, and it’s a pretty huge boost for fans and for the club, everyone involved.
“It’s just getting over that mental fatigue of first couple of games, and knowing that you’re in another championship, getting the hunger for that.
“But I think we showed when we were two points down with five minutes to go, we have that bit of a stomach for it, but any of these games away from home can be very difficult. Another two-hour journey down after the week we’ve had, it can be tough.
“But no, with the panel we have, and the players we have, I’d like to think we’ll be ready for action next Saturday again."
Garrycastle play Offaly's Clonbullogue in Gracefield on Saturday in the quarter final. Throw in is at 1.30pm.