KEVIN CASSIDY: My tip for Tyrone

THE last few remaining club finals will take place this weekend before we can start to look ahead to the Ulster Club Championship campaign.

The big one this weekend is undoubtedly the Tyrone Senior Football Championship final between Trillick and Loughmacrory. I’m not a betting man, but at the start of the club championships this year, a Tyrone man told me to watch out for Loughmacrory — he fancied them to win the championship outright.

That was a brave statement, especially considering the likes of Érrigal Ciaran and Trillick were hotly tipped to lift the title. But it seems this man might just know his stuff.

Before we get into that game, it’s only fair to take a moment to once again heap praise on the Tyrone Championship for the excitement and drama it delivers year after year. There’s simply no championship like it. Many other counties could do worse than to study its model and perhaps adapt elements of it for their own competitions.

The final itself should be an absolute cracker, featuring some of the finest footballers around. Trillick are blessed with talent — but equally blessed with that resilient, never-say-die attitude that’s so crucial at this stage of the year.

Loughmacrory, meanwhile, are brimming with youthful energy but are back-boned by two outstanding young talents, Eoin McElholm and Ruairi McCullough. I had the chance to watch them up close in last year’s Ulster U-20 final when they defeated Donegal — and let’s just say, these lads have it all.

You can never write Trillick off, but I’m going to stick with that wise old man who told me back in early September that Loughmacrory would be Tyrone champions. So, my prediction is a Loughmacrory win here.

Last weekend, Kilcoo got the job done and booked their place in the Ulster Club series. Whenever Kilcoo reach a final, that’s rarely the place to beat them. The chance, perhaps, was in the semi-final when they weren’t quite at their best. Now, they’re a dangerous animal lying in wait.

Another powerhouse we’re used to seeing on the Ulster stage is Scotstown, who will be hoping to keep their campaign alive and once again mount a serious push for the provincial title. Having been in that situation myself, I know what’s going through those players’ minds – keeping one eye on other results while trying to stay focused on their own task.

Over the past few weeks, several big hitters have fallen by the wayside, and there’ll be many clubs across Ulster sensing a real opportunity. But the key, as always, is that old saying: one game at a time. You can’t afford to look too far ahead or get caught up in permutations. All you can truly control is your own performance on the day.

Looking across Ulster at the teams already qualified and those still expected to join them, it’s shaping up to be an incredibly exciting few weeks.

We’ve got experienced sides in the mix, alongside fearless young teams eager to make their mark — the perfect storm for some brilliant football.

Before we look too far ahead, though, let’s enjoy what’s in front of us this weekend. Like me, I’m sure you’ll be tuned in to the championship of championships as we find out who will represent Tyrone in the Ulster series.