Derry contingent claim British GAA Championship medals
Four Derry students who were part of the John Moores University Gaelic football team crowned British Champions. L-R David Lowry, James Kelly, Ruairi Duffy and Andy Coyle.
FOUR Derry students formed part of the John Moore’s, Liverpool team which was crowned British University GAA champions last week and which will now go forward to the semi-finals of the Trench Cup in Athlone on Friday.
Eoghain McKane reports
Andy Coyle, David Lowry, Ruairi Duffy and James Kelly were part of the squad that defeated city rivals Hope University 0-6 to 0-5 in a tightly contested final in Birmingham, a victory that makes John Moore’s the most successful team to have played the British Championship.
Andy Coyle, who previously studied at St. Columb’s College said he was delighted with the victory and was looking forward to the semi-final.
“It was an unbelievable feeling to win against Hope in the British Championship final, especially after they’d beaten us in last year’s final,” explained the John Moore’s goalkeeper.
“After last season’s final there was a determination within the team, it was there from day one of training. We wanted to get fitter and stronger than last year, because the defeat hit us hard.”
The John Moore’s team made it to a final of the Trench Cup in 2011 before losing to St. Patrick’s, Drumcondra. Even though the draw has yet to be made the English University side know they will be considered to be long shots, although it is a tag which Coyle believes the John Moore’s team will relish.
“Even though we are considered underdogs, we have the self-belief and confidence to go to Athlone and cause a few surprises. We will be ready for the game.”
Manager of the John Moore’s team, Eoghan Kerr, echoed those sentiments, saying he had a team which believed could compete in the All Ireland series.
“We are going there with a winning mentality and there is no doubt in my mind we can cause an upset,” explained the John Moore’s manager, “These teams will no doubt be stronger than the British teams but the system we have in place will make us hard to defeat.”
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Weather for Derry
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 11 C
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