‘It was a big step up’ says Gareth Foley as Melvin Gaels bow out of Connacht IFC

Melvin Gaels couldn’t create a repeat of their Leitrim intermediate final comeback as they tumbled out of the Connaught intermedia championship with a nine point defeat to Sligo Champions Eastern Harps in Ballinamore.

The under strength Kinlough side that were without four starters heading into the game looked out of their depth and toothless throughout the game. 

 “Big pressure on young shoulders, they stepped up to the mantle but it is a big step up and no matter what level you play at, if you are not good enough at that level you will be found out, football will expose the best of people and that is it,” Said Melvin Gaels interim manager Gareth Foley.

The Gaels preparation for the game was also hampered with changes to their management team as Gareth Foley and Joe Tiffony stepped in after Aiden Murray departed the club by mutual consent after incurring a 96 week suspension for an incident in the Leitrim final. “It wasn’t ideal but Joe and Myself are two club men,” said Foley.

The losses to the Melvin Gaels side were obvious to those watching on and they played a big part in the game according to Foley: "In terms of experience it was crucial, one of the biggest losses to the composure of that team today was Sean Mc Sharrey, he’s a very composed lad, and Caolon Clancy in the forward line.”

For Foley, it was a big step up step up for the players who got their start on the day. “There were a lot of young fellas who got their chance today, you know it is a bigger stage. You're out of your county, you're on an intercounty stage basically here today and it showed the inexperience of a lot of young lads coming into senior football but it is a big step.”

Eastern Harps cut the figure of an impressive team that never looked like they were straining while putting the Gaels under pressure.

“They were just fast when they tackled and put pressure on every tackle, when you put pressure on tackles you get loopy passes, you get turnovers. In the first half I'd say all their scorers came from turnovers,” said Foley.

 “That team is up and down from senior football in Sligo a lot. You have to go back to the days of Paul Taylor who were very accomplished. Ross Dunne had them well schooled in defence and that's the difference, it was men against boys today. More structure, more pace, more energy, and more ideas.”

“That other team was more balanced, you go through that team and they have the captain of the Sligo under twenties playing at mid-field and very very good players. I saw them playing their county final and they had the game over after 25 minutes against Oranmore Gaels, basically had it done today as well.”

He does feel that the day will be a learning experience for the lads who came in today, “When you step up, you need to learn the way you play your ball and we just came up against a better team today and you're always learning, everyday is a school day,” he said.

Read More: Understrength Melvin Gaels brushed aside by efficient Eastern Harps