Last chance for O’Reilly

The inimitable Eddie O’Reilly, of Mullahoran

WHEN Errigal Ciaran travel to Breffni Park this weekend, whoever is tasked with marshalling Mullahoran’s Eddie O’Reilly will have little trouble finding him.

The former county attacker is one of the most identifiable characters in Ulster football, with his rugged appearance and all-action style. In Cavan, they’ll tell you that Chuck Norris wears Eddie O’Reilly pyjamas.

There’s no denying that Eddie is old school, and at 32 years the seasoned Mullahoran campaigner admits that he is being pushed hard by the new generation of players coming through behind him.

“I’m getting on, I feel it anyway. I probably have changed my own game a bit, out of choice. Since the younger fellas have come in, my role is now more about working hard and winning possession, laying it off to these better finishers. Some of the boys we have now are more clinical, more dangerous in front of goal. I’m I suppose a more orthodox player, wins the dirty ball, tackles and puts himself about the place.”

For their county final replay win over Kingscourt, the Mullahoran team sheet boasted six Bradys, two Reillys and two O’Reillys. Eddie O’Reilly was at full-forward and hit a point, while his cousin Enda O’Reilly lined out at centre-forward and hit six points, five from frees. Eddie still hits the dead balls off the right side, with Enda taking responsibility on the left.

The cousin is just one of the new batch of young Mullahoran players who have progressed to the senior ranks, helping restore the club to its former glories. This Cavan championship win was a fifth for Eddie, who has seen many changes in the gaps between his three forays into the Ulster Club, as he chases that thus far elusive Ulster championship win.

The full story is in the current issue of Gaelic Life, published on Thursday October 18. Buy your copy now in your local newsagent, or you can purchase the online version – for only 90p – by clicking here