Garryspillane's Colin Ryan aims for quick return to top flight

“BEING relegated down to Premier Intermediate last year was devastating, but everyone realised very quickly where we were and the goal was to get in the county final and here we are.”

That was Garryspillane's Colin Ryan's response to his side reaching this year's Premier Intermediate decider against Newcastle West, only one year on from dropping down to the grade from the senior ranks.

This will be the side's first county final since 2018 and after a long championship campaign Ryan feels his squad is up for the challenge on Sunday.

“The mood has been good throughout the season. We added a few young fellas which always helps, they bring a bit of freshness to the panel,” Colin Ryan said.

“We had such a tough game against Bruff in the semi-final, they really threw everything at us, but I just think we are all delighted to be back in with a shot of going into the senior championship again and just being in a county final is exciting within itself.”

Garryspillane's opponents this Sunday, Newcastle West, will provide a stern test, with ‘the Magpies’ getting the better of ‘the Bouncers’ in the group stages.

Finals tend to take on a life of their own at times with results in the round robin stages of the championship a distant memory for most sides.

Ryan reflected on the dangers Newcastle West will pose in next weekend's final. “We knew after the three point loss to Newcastle West in the group stages that they would definitely be in the latter stages of the competition and we would have to try and beat them on the next occasion.

“They have been seriously impressive throughout the championship, but we are confident within ourselves that we can beat them on Sunday. Preparation has been going well as we feel ready and eager to get going now on Sunday, it's going to be a huge day for us.”