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All-Ireland excitement and nerves take hold for Errigal Ciaran's young fans

Excitement builds as Errigal Ciaran prepare for All-Ireland final

The Errigal Ciaran ties run deep at St Brigid's Primary School in Altnamuskin, County Tyrone.

The local GAA club are aiming for their first All-Ireland football title on Sunday, when the senior men's side face Dublin outfit Cuala in Croke Park - and the excitement at the school is palpable.

After all, it's not that long since the principal was on the pitch rather than the playground.

And many of the pupils are already involved with the club - among them the daughter of senior team manager Enda McGinley.

A young girl with fair long hair tied back in a ponytail. She is in a school playground and is wearing a blue GAA sports top.
Emma thinks it will be a tight game but has confidence in Errigal Ciaran's players

Errigal Ciaran are the first Tyrone club to reach the All-Ireland senior club football final and Emma couldn't be prouder.

"There's three managers out of Errigal that's made it to the Ulster [Senior Club Championship final] and my dad is one of them.

"Dad has got Errigal to the Ulster final and to the All-Ireland final - that's crazy."

A man with black short hair and a light stubble. He is wearing a black top which is zipped to the neck
Principal Ryan Lynch used to play in the senior team

Principal Ryan Lynch has only been in the post since Christmas and it's been a busy January.

"The first week of school was disrupted by the snow and the second week we're preparing for an All-Ireland final," he said.

"It's great and it's great for the children, there's been more Errigal days than uniform days."

And he'll be cheering on the players from the sidelines on Sunday.

"I know them so well, and there's been a serious amount of work this last seven or eight years and it's all coming together this year.

"From the boys and girls here [at school] to the members not playing anymore, there's so much work goes into this club.

"We dreamed of this happening one day and now it's a reality."

A homemade sign saying 'Canavan's and Petey, break Cuala's Harte' being held by two schoolchildren
Fans are backing their strikers

Standing in their way is Dublin's Cuala and a forward - Con O'Callaghan - who has struck a bit of fear into the hearts of some pupils.

But they're nevertheless confident their team can weather any storm.

"It's going to be a very tight game," predicted Peter, son of former Errigal Ciaran and Tyrone player Cormac McGinley and nephew of manager Enda.

"Cuala's got one of the best forwards in the game, but we've got two and my uncle - he'll have a good game plan."

A young boy with short brown hair and freckles wearing a black GAA sports top
Peter says his uncle, Errigal Ciaran manager Enda McGinley, will have a good game plan for Sunday

And it's no surprise that Emma is backing her dad.

"I've never watched Cuala before. I've heard they've got one of the best strikers out of Dublin, so that's a bit worrying.

"But I'm happy we've got a lot of good strikers - Darragh Canavan, Ruairi Canavan, Peter Harte - they've got one, but we've got a lot."

Brendan McLenaghan has grey hair and a moustache. He is wearing a hi-vis jacket and holding a circular sign that says stop.
Brendan McLenaghan said the club is an important part of the community

Former school caretaker and current lollipop man Brendan McLenaghan said people were feeling excitement and nerves in equal measure, especially since no club from the county had ever won a senior club title.

"It's a mountain that has never been climbed in Tyrone," he said.

"And hopefully if we do it, it will give the rest of the clubs round and about a wee bit more incentive to go and do it themselves as well.

"That breakthrough has to be made by somebody.

"I can remember somebody saying to Mickey Harte after the first Tyrone [All-Ireland county title] win: 'Now I can die happy.'

"And Mickey said: 'Could you not live happy?'

"Well I'll live happy after this, if we do it."