Gaughan looking forward to provincial decider

By Cian OConnell

When asked about a remarkable stint in Tourlestranes history Gary Gaughan doesnt hesitate.

Standards have been implemented, seven Sligo SFC titles in a row accumulated. Gaughan, though, traces this particular journey back to the work commenced by Eamonn OHara and Gerry McGowan.

Subsequently Kevin Johnson and Fergal ODonnell have arrived into the club, building on an already solid foundation.

Were really lucky with the group of players we have this last couple of years, Gaughan says. With Eamonn and Gerry starting off seven years ago, they brought a new standard into the club. Young bucks coming through now are all in line with that.

Same when Kevin came through, standards went up again, and the same with Fergal.

These guys have done it before so its up to the players to bring that standard to training and if its not good enough the managers will let you know.

Tourlestrane continue to dominate in Sligo, but reaching a first AIB Connacht Club SFC Final since 1982 against Maigh Cuilinn at Pearse Stadium on Sunday is a significant achievement.

Gary Gaughan continues to impress for Tourlestrane.

In fairness to the chairman he has really pushed it on, Gaughan says about bringing in high quality people to assist Tourlestrane.

Were not going to last forever, were going to come to a stage where we cant go on anymore, but when we have the players there we have to have the best coaches we can get. Its testament to Fergal and Kevin before that that they really brought standards up in our club.

Former Roscommon boss ODonnell has connected well with Tourlestrane. Hes coming from a different county, as well as that he has managed county teams, Gaughan responds.

Kevin had a lot of experience coaching teams in Galway and Mayo, but Fergal has county experience and hes tried to bring county standards to us at club level. It has really worked this year.

Once we got on his wavelength we really pushed on.

The enjoyment derived from being part of a successful club outfit matters deeply to Gaughan. Winning brings that, when you come from a rural club like us theres nothing else to do bar going to a football field and kicking a few balls over the bar during the week and then meet up with your buddies, whether its on the pitch or in the local, its great.

Retaining players has been critical according to Gaughan because the turnover hasnt been high. Thats probably one thing that hasnt happened, Gaughan says.

Tourlestrane manager Fergal O'Donnell.

A winning team is easier to come back to, weve only had two or three retirees. The bulk of the players are still there.

When we started off in 2016 on the start of this there were about 30 lads there and every year we get three or four minors coming through.

We have one or two retirees or pull away every year, but nothing major. Its great to have the core of the team always there.

We wouldnt be known for having a really strong underage but we get the two or three through each year who really push us on.

They get their league game, a few guys starting championship games as well. If theyre good enough theyll be thrown into the team, it doesnt matter about age.

Representing Sligo in a provincial decider provides encouragement too. Sligo football gets a lot of flak from different people saying its not a great standard, but the standard is high, theres no doubt about it, Gaughan says.

Thats what pushes us on to be better player and hopefully well see that on Sunday against Moycullen.