McDonnell’s Killeavy “underdogs” in clash of the champions

By Shaun Casey

IT’S the clash of the champions in the Armagh SFC quarter-final this weekend as Division 1A league winners Killeavy take on the reigning championship holders Clann Eireann and Steven McDonnell feels his side head into the game as underdogs.

Killeavy could only be drawn against Clann Eireann, Crossmaglen or Cullyhanna in the last eight battle as repeat pairings aren’t permitted, so a rematch with Maghery, who they beat in the group stages, was off the table.

McDonnell’s side were seriously impressive in their playoff victory over Mullaghbawn, coming through with ten-points to spare in the end to book their place in the next phase of the competition.

“We’ll be going in as underdogs and it is what it is. If you want to win a championship, you have to beat the top teams and we know it’s going to be a hell of a battle and a tough game and you just have to take it head on and we’ll try our best,” said McDonnell.

With their first ten shots on target, Killeavy tagged on ten scores and that impressive efficiency in front of the goals is why McDonnell’s men captured their first ever Division 1A league title this season.

Youngsters like Fergal Boylan, Aron Magennis and Kealan McDonnell (the managers son) have maximised their opportunities this season leaving more experienced heads such as Ronan McGuinness, Miceal McNamee and Niall Magennis to come in off the bench.

“Those boys would have been guaranteed starters in the league campaign as well so it’s a competitive team and a competitive environment to be in and our life is difficult trying to pick a starting 15.

“We know when we turn around and look over our shoulders that we have strength and depth coming in off the bench. We have natural forwards, they’re natural footballers and it doesn’t matter what the conditions are (McDonnell said of the younger players).

“I was very slight at that age myself but if you’re good enough, weight and age and all that doesn’t come into the equation. These boys are good enough and they’re starting to show what they can do on the senior stage.

“The more games and the more performances they put in like that, they’ll be marked men but they’re quality footballers and we know what they are and we just give them the freedom to play.”

Midfielder Callum O’Hare, who has formed a perfect partnership with team captain Cathal Boylan in recent years, wasn’t togged out against Mullaghbawn but McDonnell is hopeful he’ll be available this weekend.

“Callum is just nursing an injury at the minute but we’ll have him back for next weekend. We just couldn’t risk him but Callum is an influential midfielder for us,” added the 2003 Footballer of the Year.

“He is capable of coming up with two-pointers as well so hopefully we’ll have Callum available for next weekend but we just didn’t want to risk him, we couldn’t afford to risk him against Mullaghbawn.”