Reaching an Ulster final was tough enough, but having to wait an extra 11 days to play the decider was difficult for both sets of players according to Galbally boss Paddy Crozier.
The Tyrone champions secured the Ulster Club Intermediate Football title with a seven-point win over Corduff in the Athletic Grounds on Wednesday night.
The game was originally scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 10 at Páirc Elser, but was postponed due to the recent cold snap. Attempts to play the game at Newry and Armagh last weekend failed so the game eventually went ahead under lights at the Athletic Grounds with Barry Carberry’s second half goal helping Pearse’s to a 1-9 to 0-5 win.
Read more: Recap as Galbally clinch Ulster Intermediate crown with classy win over Corduff
“I wasn’t easy to be honest - the game was called off and we had to keep training away,” said Crozier
“It has been over three weeks since we last played a match. It was difficult, but it was the same for Corduff.
“I had the use of a couple of 4G pitches and a few clubs helped us out - only for that, we've have been struggling. We trained last Tuesday and Thursday night on a 4G pitch and we were delighted to get those sessions.”
Galbally were beaten by Magheracloone in the 2019 Ulster Intermediate final and came through some tough battles to regain the Tyrone title this season.
They were brought to extra-time by neighbours Killeeshil in the semi-final before defeating a star-studded Edendork team 2-11 to 3-7 in the county final.
“We had some great battles in the Tyrone Championship - without a doubt,” added Crozier
“The Killeeshil game asked an awful lot of questions of the fellas, but by God they found the answers in spadefuls. It was the same against Edendork.”
A late Conor Donaghy free edged Galbally into a 0-5 to 0-4 lead at the break in Wednesday night's provincial final and, playing with the aid of the wind, the Tyrone outfit powered clear in the second period with Carberry’s goal arriving midway through the second period.
Corduff, who are managed by former Monaghan boss Seamus McEnaney, finished the game with 14 players following Keith McEnaney’s late red card and Crozier said his side had to be patient against a hard-hitting, defensive unit.
It emerged earlier in the campaign that Derry manager Rory Gallagher had been working with McEnaney's side as they won the Monaghan Intermediate title for just the second time in their history.
“It was about showing patience and composure and not running into traffic,” stated the former Derry manager.
“We knew that any team Rory Gallagher was involved with would be a really tight defensive unit.
“Our fellas have played against defensive teams in Tyrone and they are well fit to get around those problems.
“In the first half we could have had that game done and dusted - we kicked a lot of wides and ran into traffic. Once the goal came, that really settled the game as a contest and Barry (Carberry) took it tremendously well.
“I know we meet the Connacht champions now. I’m sure they had people down here watching that game.
“We’ll enjoy this win - it has shortened the winter for us. The boys will enjoy the celebrations, but they’ll be mad to get back training for the next one.”
The “next one” is a meeting with Dunmore of Galway on Saturday, January 7 for a place in the All-Ireland Club Intermediate Football Championship Final.
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