Richard Donnelly may have stepped away from the Tyrone side of late but this does not mean that he has lost his appetite for success on the football field.
On Saturday, Donnelly will lead his Trillick side into an opening Tyrone Senior Football Championship tie against Eglish conscious that this will be the first step in the defence of their trophy.
Former Tyrone ace Jody Gormley pulled the strings as Trillick soared to the county title last year and will oversee operations again as they put their crown on the line — something of which skipper Donnelly is particularly aware of.
“My father and my brother Matthew have skippered Trillick in the past and I am keen to follow in their footsteps,” reveals Donnelly.
With Matthew back in harness again after a lengthy lay-off due to injury and fellow clubmen Ciaran Daly, Sean O’Donnell, the Brennan brothers Lee and Sean and their skipper leading the way, Trillick look capable of making it into the Quarter-Finals.
Errigal Ciaran and Pomeroy, meanwhile, will lock horns in another pulsating contest on Saturday (5.30pm) with brothers Darragh and Ruairi Canavan, Joe Oguz and quite possibly Peter Harte pulling the strings for the Ballygawley outfit.
Darragh Canavan has been in particularly hot form this year and could have a huge impact on proceedings.
He helped UUJ to win the Sigerson Cup earlier in the year and was subsequently selected on the Sigerson Cup Team of the year following a raft of star-studded performances in the competition.
His scoring touch could prove crucial in helping to take Errigal Ciaran over their first hurdle in the Tyrone series.
Four interesting Tyrone ties are down for decision on Sunday with Omagh meeting Killyclogher at Carrickmore (2.30pm), Dungannon Clarkes taking on Donaghmore at Pomeroy (7.30)pm, Loughmacrory facing up to Galbally at Omagh (7.30pm) and Coalisland opposing Clonoe (O’Neill Park 7.00pm).
Lorcan Quinn and Conor Cush look capable of underpinning Donaghmore’s challenge against Dungannon while Coalisland can benefit from a considerable raft of experience in Padraig Hampsey, Michael McKernan and Tiernan Quinn against Clonoe.
The Armagh SFC will see two big guns Crossmaglen Rangers and Clan na Gael step up to the plate on Saturday night. The Rangers will face Granemore at home (6.00pm) while the Clans will also sample home comforts against near neighbours Sarsfields.
The O’Neill duo Rian and Oisin will lead Crossmaglen’s challenge while Clan na Gael can look to Armagh county duo Stefan Campbell and Shane McPartlan to stoke their fire in what could prove a riveting contest between two well-matched teams.
Clonduff may find themselves tested to the full against Glenn in the Down Championship on Sunday at Mayobridge (3.00pm) while Liatroim will feel they can provide Mayobridge with a stiff examination at Dundrum (7.15pm). And Loughinisland might prove too strong for Bredagh at Kilcoo (7.00pm) now that they have got injured players back in their line-up again.
The Fermanagh SFC will move up again this weekend and on Saturday Teemore will certainly need to have Cian McManus, Ronan McCaffrey and Sean McNally on board if they hope to get the better of what could prove to be a Corrigan-inspired Kinawley side on their home ground (3.00pm).
Enniskillen Gaels will also be in action on Saturday at Belnaleck (6.00pm) where they could find the home side a hot handful.
The Cullen brothers Che and Lee are likely to be their team’s defensive mainstays while Darragh McGurn can carry a threat up front.
The Gaels for their part can lean on Jonny Cassidy in defence, Brandon Horan at midfield and Conor McShea in attack — and that’s just for starters.