‘Don’t get beat by 10’ - Abbey VS Tiarnan McBride’s admission of their first MacRory game

If honesty is one the characteristics of success then Abbey Vocational School, Donegal’s big Tiarnan McBride is on the right path.

After their semi-final win in the MacRory Cup on Saturday last at Fr Tierney Park, Ballyshannon, a success in which the midfielder played a pivotal role, he revealed the thinking of the squad going into their very first game in the competition.

“We started off and we played St Pat’s, Dungannon up in Trillick in the first game and our goal was not to get beat by over 10 points. And we came up and beat them by seven in a thriller. It was all goals.

“Then we lost to Bessbrook and beat Abbey CBS. It was then that we started to believe,” said McBride.

“Don’t get beat by 10 points. They (St Pat’s, Dungannon) were in the final last year and we thought these were the best. Our raw speed and ability got us through.”

Fast forward a couple of months and McBride and his talented teammates are now planning for the biggest day of their football lives, a MacRory Cup final against St Pat’s, Maghera, who are second only to St Colman’s of Newry in the MacRory order of merit with 16 titles.

For McBride though,  the belief and excitement is there to see. From very strong footballing stock, the McBrides of Termon were maybe not known for their speed, but there was no argument about the football nuance.

Back at the school this year to repeat his Leaving Cert, it has been a great boost to the school’s chances.

“I’m glad to be back at school this year,” laughs McBride.

On Saturday, the midfielder agreed that Abbey put their best foot forward in Ballyshannon against Donegal Southwest.

“Easily, yeah, the best performance of the year both individually and collectively. Whenever push came to shove, we stood up.”

Conditions were good for football and McBride was pleased with the way they moved the ball.

“Whenever we were moving the ball fast (in the opening half), it was sticking to the hands. In the second half whenever that rain came down, it was a little more difficult. But it’s a great field, we are happy to get playing here.”

“The mindset today was much different for us. We just wanted to beat them. It’s different when you play an amalgamated team. You can look at individual players when you are playing against them as one team, but that’s a strong Southwest team. To be honest, whenever Anthony (McCallig) blew the final whistle, that’s when I was happy.

One of the features  of McBride’s play is his intuitive interplay with the Abbey VS playmaker Turlough Carr, something that was evident when the pair played for Four Masters as well.

“He’s a captain figure in fairness. I know from my experience playing with him, we have a good link up. He gives me the ball and I usually end up giving it back to him anyway. He is always  in the right place at the right time. It is just great to be playing with him to be honest.”

Looking forward to the final now, McBride is excited.

“I can’t wait for the buzz (leading up to the final). We had a wee bit of it with the MacLarnon but not nearly as much last year. This year is a real step up and I just can’t wait.”

McBride has a big role to play as he is not just used as a midfielder but also asked to move forward to the edge of the square to give his team another outlet with the long ball.

“Getting that into the legs to get up and down, I have been doing a bit of conditioning to try and get there. It is working and hopefully it will work in the final. I got the first ball in and laid it off for the first score and I came out and caught the kick-out then straight after.

“That’s what I have to do for the team. We had to get that platform in midfield. Because I know when we win the ball, especially in that second half, our pace hurts teams.

“I know I’m not the fastest but I try to get into the right place to take the passes,” said McBride, who will have to  try and make time for the Mocks as well, which are timed to start in the week leading up to the final.