Tyrone adds an extra layer but no split loyalties for Leitrim manager Jonny Garrity

We’ve written about it already and he has given his answer but for Tyrone native and Leitrim manager Jonny Garrity, there will be no split focus or divided loyalties in any way next Sunday in Croke Park during the TG4 LGFA All-Ireland Intermediate Championship Final.

Garrity leads Leitrim in the TG4 LGFA All-Ireland IFC Final against his native county and while he would prefer it was different, Jonny’s focus is solely on delivering the Mary Quinn Cup for Leitrim: “It is probably an extra layer to the game that you wouldn’t have chosen to add to it if you had the choice. But we don’t have the choice, I don’t have the choice so it is very much the case of being delighted that we’re in a final in spite of whoever you are going to play.”

Indeed, Jonny felt that a repeat meeting between the counties was always likely after Leitrim’s 4-12 to 5-8 victory in Ballinamore in June: “I always knew there was going to be a chance that if we were successful in getting to a final that you might be facing Tyrone because I would say before a ball was kicked,  they would have been favourites.

“Maybe after we beat them, that might have changed and they’ve worked their way back into it after having beaten Clare and Wicklow  and then Down in the semi-final so they’ve worked really well since that day and shown that they would justify the favourites tag they might have had at the start. 

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“Certainly justified the favourites tag going into the final but in terms of it being emotional or anything like that for me, I don’t think it will - it is cold, calculated execution of a plan that we have been working on for a long, long time and if at the final whistle, we’re ahead, there will be no divided loyalties - I’ll be just absolutely thrilled.”