Ulster’s not over yet but Tumilty’s sights are on the All-Irelands

Bann lost out 8-2 to title-rivals Garvey before Christmas, putting the advantage firmly with the Comber Road side.

However, Tumilty’s attention has already turned elsewhere.

“Is the league over? I don’t think so but it’s a big ask for them to drop two points between now and the end of the season,” he said. “We’ve bigger fish to fry in the All Ireland League and the Irish Senior Cup. Those are our priorities and what we’re gearing towards now.

“It’ll be a difficult January with international games and exams but if we can get ourselves together physically and mentally, we still have a good chance in that Senior Cup match against Monkstown. Everything is looking towards that game now. We need to get our tactics right and get a system in place for that one. It gives us something to work towards.”

As for the shocking defeat to Garvey, Tumilty wasn’t making any excuses:

“We weren’t good enough individually and tactically, I’ll hold my hands up and say that we weren’t good enough either. At the same time, it was one of those days. They happen sometimes when everything goes for one team.”

At the time of going to press, Banbridge were scheduled to play Mossley on Saturday but with many of their squad due to be on international duty, they hoped that game would be postponed.