Ulster Club SFC: Jody Gormley hails Peter McGinnity's role in Trillick success

Jody Gormley says Peter McGinnity's focus on the block was a "massive thing" in Trillick's Tyrone title triumph

Jody Gormley says Fermanagh great Peter McGinnity's inclusion in his Trillick backroom team has played a big role in the club's success this season.

The St Macartan's outfit beat Errigal Ciaran to win the Tyrone title and next face Crossmaglen in the Ulster Club Championship on Saturday in Omagh.

In particular, Gormley hailed McGinnity's coaching of the block which Trillick have employed brilliantly.

"It's something that Peter focuses on in particular," said the Trillick boss.

"You could see the amount of time we had players block the ball [in the Tyrone Final]. That's a massive thing.

"Peter brings a wealth of experience and it's great to tap into it, particularly during training and on the line."

Peter McGinnity is regarded by many as Fermanagh's greatest ever player and has also managed his native county and several club teams

Gormley says he has relied heavily this season on McGinnity and all the members of his backroom team.

"For example, the players have done a lot of work under [strength and conditioning coach] Declan Campbell this year.

"Everybody has a role to play in that backroom team. There's nobody there to make up the numbers."

As his side faces into the Healy Park contest with the six-time All-Ireland champions, Gormley says the players will be asked "different questions" but that he's confident they will be able to rise to the challenge.

"Up to this point the team has responded very well and we'd expect, while there will be new questions, we'll do our best to answer them.

'We don't need newspapers on the wall or fancy quotes'

"At this stage of the year, there's no additional motivation required. We looked for commitment and consistency and effort from the start of the year. That's the thing.

"It's not that there are newspapers on the wall or fancy quotes. It's about boys working hard over a sustained period of time.

"It's not even this year. It's from the underage players in the club, that's what leads to county titles and that's what we hope to build on."

Gormley and his management got their match-ups spot on in the Tyrone Final with Daniel Donnelly, despite wearing the number 13 jersey, doing a tremendous marking job on Darragh Canavan.

"It's important that you get your match-ups right but you need the players to do that," Gormley told BBC Sport Northern Ireland.

"We're lucky. We've a lot of men who could put their hand up and say 'I want that job'. That's a big thing.

"Daniel Donnelly has been massive for us this year. He's in exceptional condition and he's a tough customer."

Daniel Donnelly was named at number 13 in the Trillick team for the Tyrone Final but ended up doing a superb marking job on Errigal Ciaran dangerman Darragh Canavan

Trillick won the Tyrone title despite being without Red Hand county star Mattie Donnelly, although Gormley insists the veteran has still made a crucial contribution to the squad's success over recent months.

"Mattie plays a big part in training every night. He doesn't miss [one session] and nor does Michael Gallagher, another fellow who picked up a significant injury at the start of the year.

"It's 15-a-side. Injury is part of sport. That's just the way it is."

As for his own contribution in returning home to guide Trillick to the Tyrone title after a managerial career which has included a stint as Antrim boss, Gormley laughed: "Maybe it's good to learn your trade away from home, make the mistakes away and hopefully learn as you go along.

"It's great to be back in Trillick. It's special to be back in Trillick and they are a very special group of players."