Drumaness GAC are riding high in Division Four, but they are expecting their toughest test yet on Thursday.
They face Tullylish GAC, a side relegated from Division Three last year and one that has won three and lost three of its six league matches so far this season.
Glenn Burden, who is managing Drumaness this year alongside Chris Morgan, explained why Tullylish deserve major respect.
Glenn said: “They would be one of the big hitters in this division. A couple of their results haven’t gone their way, but they were close.
“I went to see them in Ballymartin earlier in the season and they have obvious threats.
“We need to get them on lockdown. It is one of our toughest games of the year.”
Glenn also had praise for the Tullylish management setup.
“They have an old head in Davy Corbett, who knows that club inside out, and he knows these sorts of teams inside out.”
Despite the challenge ahead, Glenn remains confident that Drumaness are capable of winning a seventh game in a row.
“Chrissy and myself are happy with where our boys are at.
“If we keep doing what we have been doing, and we work hard for the hour, there is no reason why we can’t win, but it is going to be a difficult one.”
Based on previous results, some might expect Drumaness to win comfortably. Last Friday they defeated Glasdrumman GAC by 2-21 to 1-5.
Glenn said: “The thing we have found in Division Four this year is that our results are a bit misleading. There aren’t any easy games and we knew that Glasdrumman would be a difficult task.
“Myself (Longstone) and Chris Morgan (Atticall) are local to the area, so there was that bit of added spice in that game, especially with Glasdrumman having a fellow Longstone man over them in Kieran Trainer.
“Glasdrumman were missing a couple of players but, in large parts of the game, they played well. They impressed in what they were doing. They were well organised. If they get those players back in time for championship, they will be a proposition.
“I think we could have played better, but that is something for us to discuss. We were very happy with how it went.”
Drumaness also defeated Kilclief GAC by 1-12 to 0-9 in what Glenn described as a strong performance.
“That game was a test of character. They are a physical team and they play a very aggressive press.
“For long periods we held the ball and used that against them, although they did get in for one or two goal chances.
“We were full value for the win against Kilclief.”
Glenn was equally impressed with Drumaness’s display away to St Paul’s GAC, where they won 4-12 to 2-10.
“I thought we were excellent in the way that we were moving the ball and taking on opportunities when they came.”
Glenn explained that the key to Drumaness’s perfect record this season has been the squad’s collective attitude.
“What me and Chrissy have noticed over these past few weeks is that everybody does their bit.
“We have tried to push the message that it is your responsibility to do your job for an hour.
“There is a certain way that we like to go about things — the lads have absorbed the information well and are using it to their advantage.”
In the full article Glenn goes on to give an update on the state of play with his squad, including updates on injured player Oran Carew.
