By Michael McMullan

BEING able to focus on one code has been an important part of Banagher’s progress to Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final showdown with Kerry’s Kilmoyley, insists manager Ryan Lynch.

A former dual player himself, Lynch speaks with total enthusiasm about the feel-good factor in the club as they annexed an historic first Ulster title at any grade or code.

“There is a good buzz around the club,” said Lynch, in his first season as manager.

After losing the Derry senior semi-final to Kevin Lynch’s, it was total football focus for the following two weeks as a squad back-boned with dual players balanced the codes.

“Kieran O’Connell is in coaching and he’d have a free reign to do as sees fit. He has a lot of experience and he is very good,” Lynch added.

“The repetition of two, three or four sessions a week has made a big difference. It is an experienced group and some of them are coming to the last few seasons of their careers, they seem to be really eager to get something out of it.”

After their win over Lisbellaw, the players weren’t back training until the Thursday as they allowed their success to sink in;

“When you win an Ulster title, you earn the right to celebrate and we did do that, it led a good buzz into training,” Lynch said.

“You need three or four days to mentally tune out. They all have work to do; they’ve bills and mortgages to pay.”

Looking ahead to the challenge of Kilmoyley, he will have Oisin McCloskey to factor into his team selection after a return from suspension.

Banagher will assess the fitness of a few players rated as 50-50 in terms of knocks picked up in the Ulster campaign.

Lynch has taken a glance at Kilmoyley. Daniela Collins’ accuracy jumps out at him; the input of Maurice and Paudie O’Connor and how Dougie Fitzell sits back as their sweeper also caught his eye.

With the quick turnaround, Banagher are going to mainly focus on their own game and getting themselves tuned in for battle.

“I think we are looking to settle in at the start and be comfortable in the game and not have too many nerves,” said Lynch, referring to their indifferent start in the Ulster final.

“I think the fact that we won an Ulster title and exceeded everybody in the club’s expectations, it allows us to shed some of the nerves.”

He accepts another underdogs tag, but feels that if they find their best performance they won’t be a million miles away from a final.

“We may lose the game, but we want to represent our club, county and province as best we can on the national stage. We will try to play as well and as hard as we can,” Lynch concluded.

“If we win, we will be absolutely delighted to be in an All-Ireland final, but if we don’t, as long as we can look in the mirror and be proud of ourselves.”