Sigerson's flying high

Strabane's Danny McBride

A DRAMATIC reversal in fortunes sees Strabane Sigerson’s, who only escaped relegation courtesy of the play-offs just a matter of months ago, now find themselves sitting in second place on the division two league ladder.

Mathematically they have already all but made certain of their place in the promotion play-offs, and team captain Danny McBride is certainly enjoying life at the opposite end of the table.

“I think when we got that extended run last year and got the few extra games, albeit through the relegation play-offs, we caught ourselves on to a large extent. We were playing until really late last season, and then we entered the Ulster Intermediate Club League this season, so we only really had about four weeks of a break.

“Even though the standard in that Ulster League might not have been as high as what we’re playing now in the Intermediate League in Tyrone, it still gave us the opportunity to travel away to places like Warrenpoint in Down and Glenavy in Antrim, and that all helped bring us on.”

The return of the seasoned Gerard McCrossan to the side, along with former Tyrone u-21 defender Stephen Stewart, have been huge plus points for Strabane, who have also added a number of young players to the mix from successful minor sides in recent years.

17 year old Liam McGillion has been sensational, with his athletics and sprinting background standing him in good stead for his wing-back role. Likewise Paddy Roarty, despite being only 18, has been playing like a veteran at wing-forward.

The more experienced heads of Warner Mullan and John McLaughlin have provided the bulk of the scores, but it is the spread of different scorers which has been one of the most impressive aspects of Strabane’s early season form.

The full story is in the current issue of Gaelic Life, published on Thursday June 4. Buy your copy now in your local newsagent, or you can purchase the online version – for only 90p – by clicking here