By Cian O’Connell

As a teacher eager to assist others, Mark Breheny knows all about the value of patience and perseverance.

For 17 years he experienced the full gamut of emotions as a senior inter-county footballer with Sligo. The days when possibilities existed and glory secured. Also the tough times too with hope the only companion.

At the end of last year Breheny was offered the chance to take charge of St Mary’s . “It was an opportunity I couldn't turn down,” Breheny says. “I felt there was a huge amount of talent there and unfulfilled ambition for certain players that hadn't won the medals they felt they would have won having come through a strong underage system.

“That and getting a strong backroom team around me was my number one priority. It has been a really enjoyable year, it is different from playing. It is enjoyable when you are getting the wins certainly.”

Undoubtedly a demanding assignment awaits against Tourlestrane, who continue to set a high standard in Sligo. Being back in a decider, though, offers encouragement for St Mary’s. “We are very happy, we haven't been in a final since 2016,” says Breheny.

“It has been a long time for St Mary's so we are delighted with the progress so far. There was a lot of tough encounters, in the group stages, especially and the semi-final was an epic game with it going to penalties after extra-time.

“So we have learned a lot, we are really looking forward to the final. We are obviously up against a formidable side in Tourlestrane, they have won it six years in a row. We know the task in front of us, we are a group that is looking forward to it - to see if we can challenge them.”

The blend in the Mary’s panel between emerging and established players is critical according to Breheny. “A lot of our lads in their mid 20s would have won lots of underage titles around 2014 and 2015,” he says.

“That group some of them were involved in our last victory in 2015, we were the last team to win it prior to Tourlestrane. That group of guys are really hungry to get back in the mix again. They were driving it on with a few older lads obviously and we have younger guys coming through.

“So there is a great mixture at the moment in the panel. Everyone is really hungry for it this year, there has been a fantastic attitude amongst the squad. They have been a pleasure to work with all year.”

In January 2018 Breheny retired from Sligo duty, but the Summerhill College teacher has remained heavily involved coaching teams at various levels, including a stint as senior selector under Tony McEntee.

There is cause for optimism according to Breheny. “I think we are progressing back to a stage where we are not going to be far away from some of our better days with Sligo football,” Breheny says.

“Going back to the mid noughties, the early noughties too, and you had the 2007 Connacht winning squad. We are getting there again, there has been a few lean years obviously where we weren't up to the pace of things against Mayo, Galway, and Roscommon in Connacht football where they have progressed to win a good few titles.

“I would feel that in the next few years there is definitely a desire for Sligo to be back there, especially with recent Connacht underage wins which has been a good boost. A lot of work has gone in from a lot of teachers and coaches, inside and out trying to progress things here. St Attracta's have been very competitive over the last 10 or 12 years at colleges level in A football.

“We are a small county, but we are mad about our Gaelic Football here too. I hope it is something that can progress things on, a good Tailteann Cup run was good for Sligo. That will give them confidence going forward.”

Gaelic Football has always occupied a central role in Breheny’s life. A passion for sport endures.

“It does,” Breheny laughs. "Every year you kinda say you'd love a break, but I got straight back into it after I retired from Sligo in January of 2018. From there I was still involved in colleges stuff, I was still playing with the club at senior level. I played junior last year.

“I got an opportunity to work with Tony McEntee and Joe Keane with the Sligo set-up. I enjoyed that, it was difficult because of the Covid year when I was involved. We were doing zoom calls right up until May, but it was an enjoyable period, and I learned a lot.

“I would have liked to stay on another year, but the opportunity came to manage St Mary's. I just felt that my gut was telling me it was the right time to get involved.

“Thankfully we are in a final, due to me maybe committing to that and being involved with the lads and with the backroom team it has been very enjoyable.”