By Shaun Casey

THE BOX-IT Athletic Grounds has been a home from home for Madden this season and joint-manager Adrian O’Donnell hopes that the familiar surroundings of the Armagh venue will help his side this weekend as they begin their Ulster campaign.

The Raparees, who won their first ever SFC title just two weeks ago, take on Derry champions Newbridge on Sunday afternoon, live on TG4, with a spot in the Ulster semi-finals up for grabs.

On their way to capturing the Gerry Fagan Cup, Madden defeated Armagh Harps, Maghery, Clann Éireann and Cullyhanna at the home of Armagh GAA, so this weekend will be their fifth consecutive outing at the stadium.

“We’re definitely content and happy that it’s in the Athletic Grounds,” said O’Donnell, who manages the team alongside Mark Harte.

“We’ve had a number of games and performances there so we’re happy the game is there. Is it an advantage or a disadvantage? Well, it’s certainly not a disadvantage.

“I suppose Newbridge can look to the fact that they have one game under their belt and they won the Derry Championship so all these advantages, depending on how you look at it, they do level out in some shape or form.”

O’Donnell believes that Newbridge offer “a formidable challenge” for Madden in their first foray into the Ulster arena. Newbridge also locked horns with the Armagh champions in last season’s quarter-final, with Clann Éireann edging them out with just two points to spare.

The Sean O’Leary’s club have already recorded one victory on the provincial scene this season, overcoming Antrim’s Dunloy at Owenbeg last Saturday evening, and O’Donnell is well aware of the threat they pose.

“It’s a formidable challenge,” added the Errigal Ciaran native. “To come out of Derry (last year) was a huge achievement and to back that up with back-to-back Derry titles is very, very difficult to do so they’re a formidable opposition.

“I saw them on Saturday night against Dunloy, so they have that game under their belt as well. They are going to be a big challenge but it’s a challenge that we’re looking forward to, and we’ll see how we get on.”

Madden enjoyed their piece of history after emerging from the Orchard County and now it’s on to a new competition for the first time ever at this grade. O’Donnell says the entire club and community are excited to see their team enter new territory.

“I suppose when we won the championship, we set a date and a day to get back into training,” he said of their Ulster preparations. “We were able to do that, and the boys have responded very well and they’re very much looking forward to the next challenge.

“The Ulster Club is a fantastic competition, and everyone involved – players, management, and the whole club – is excited for Sunday.

“We’re eager to perform at our best and give a strong account of ourselves.”