Flynn says Gaels are well fit for senior football despite narrow Connacht loss

“I think if we had got a goal in the game, we would have won,” said a disappointed but proud Allen Gaels manager James Flynn after the final whistle in their Connacht semi-final loss to Strokestown in Dr Hyde Park on Saturday.

After an impressive spell of shooting and real heart got Allen Gaels back into the game, following two first-half goals for Strokestown that left them chasing the contest, they just didn’t have enough in the closing stages as the Roscommon champions pulled away late on to earn a 2-16 to 0-16 victory on Saturday.

A few missed frees early in the second half proved to be vital opportunities to take control of the game that were left behind by the Drumshanbo men.

“We were very confident coming out of the second half because all year we played better against the wind than we have with it … They dug in deep, but it was the first couple of minutes in the second half when we had those four or five chances. Normally, they'd go over the bar, and they didn't today.”

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Regardless of the result, Flynn was proud of his young team’s performance against a Strokestown side who were Roscommon senior champions only three years ago.

“They're class players all over the field. We have a young group out there, and they put it up to them.”

After a season that saw Allen Gaels promoted to Division One of the league and capture the Intermediate Championship, this step into Connacht was also their first senior game as far as James was concerned — and his team showed that they are capable of causing problems in the Leitrim senior ranks next year.

“These boys are well fit to do that. They're well fit to compete. Division 1 of the league is going to prepare them well for that, so they'll be playing all the same teams in the league as they will be playing in the championship, and I've no doubt the drive and hunger that's in these boys this year will be still there next year.”

The heartbreak of last year’s Intermediate final loss might have left a negative mark on another team, but for James, it has made Allen Gaels a stronger, more driven outfit this season.

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“That was a positive because if we went up last year, we wouldn't have the same drive in us to compete here today. I said the boys are far stronger and far more equipped for senior football next year than they would have been if they went up this year.”

“There's no reason why they can't compete. I suppose the biggest question now would be what the media will talk about because they can't talk about last year anymore,“ he added.

Though James did not commit just yet to being part of the management team next season as Allen Gaels return to the senior ranks, he is happy with how far the team has come in his four-year tenure.

“As I said to them earlier this year, it's been the most enjoyable year I've ever put in with Allen Gaels. It's because of the commitment the lads have shown and the camaraderie with the lads themselves and with us as management. It's just been really so enjoyable.”