It’s been a year of ups and downs for Breaffy’s Tommy O’Reilly - the attacker started the season in flying form but injury mid championship interrupted his season, seeing him miss out on a couple of games.
But he was back in the starting line-up last last Saturday night against Westport and chipped in with two points in a win that reversed the opening day result between the sides and sent O’Reilly into the final for the fourth time.
Speaking after the game O’Reilly said: “ It’s great to be back - there was a lot of hard graft along the way.
“We picked up a lot of injuries a lot of knocks - every obstacle was in our way sendings off and that, but to be back is great.
“The fight everyone put in here this evening and the work that everyone puts in is unbelievable.”
As for their win the last night - it was down to taking their chances and being able to keep Westport at arms length down the home stretch and seeing it out.
“We kind of just kept them at arms length and kept it tight at the back and tried to take our chances - you have to be very happy with the result winning by two or three points going into a county final you can’t complain with that.”
As for making it back on the field there was never a doubt in his mind that he would be back playing and he is delighted to be able to do so.
“It is great to be back on the green grass is great and chip in with two scores and help the team in any way I could was great.
“I was always going to make it in anyway I could I struggled through a few niggly ones but got there and it was great.”
The two week break will be all about ensuring that come Sunday, September 20 Breaffy can get the job done this time he said: “It’s about getting the bodies right two weeks time and hopefully be able to get what everybody wants.”
Breaffy got over the line without Seamus O’Shea last Saturday night and that is down to the strength of the squad the attacker believes.
“That is how good our squad is, we rely on the squad so much - as I said earlier injuries we’ve got during the year and that shows just how strong our squad is the lads who came in did a great job and it shows that everyone has to work hard to get their place in this team.
While there is a core group of players who have been involved in all of Breaffy’s near misses in recent years there has been a free injection of youth into the side this year and they have all stepped up when needed according to O’Reilly.
“Yah it’s different and we’ve had great teams in the past but I’ve always had great belief in our squad - everyone who has come through and look at today Ben Murphy came on and kicked a point the likes of John Deane came in and made his debut, Kenny McDermott came on having made his debut last week and here he was playing again today It just shows how deep our squad really is.”
