Kilcoo continue to bask in their rich Ulster story

By Michael McMullan

KILCOO love playing in the Ulster Club Championship and they write their latest chapter this weekend.

The Down giants take on Fermanagh’s Erne Gaels on Saturday evening with another final berth up for grabs.

Kilcoo won their 23rd Down title this season, a seventh in succession and a 13th in 14 seasons after making their initial breakthrough in 2009.

Outside of Down, the Magpies have two Ulster titles, an All-Ireland title and lost another final after extra-time.

On Saturday, they step into the arena with eyes on a seventh Ulster final in 14 seasons, bearing in mind there was no Ulster Championship in 2020.

“We love playing Ulster football,” said goalkeeper Niall Kane who kept a clean sheet in their quarter-final win over Loughmacrory.

“We get to take our supporters out. We are in November and we’re still training, so we are very, very happy about that.”

The floodlights have been on again for the last two weeks and while Kane felt keeping the scoreboard ticking over was the key to beating Loughmacrory, there is room for improvement.

“It was just a case of getting in at half time, re-grouping, getting ahead and then just chipping away at the points,” Kane said.

“It paid off and although, yes, we kicked a lot of wides but fortunately we have Monday night to rectify that and go again.”

Kilcoo were edged out by Peter Óg McCartan’s late show in last year’s Ulster final loss to Érrigal Ciaran and they’ll face a similar challenge this weekend.

Erne Gaels have been a team who’ve danced all the way to the final moments. They were close to the exit door but always found a way.

The Fermanagh champions had Kingscourt on the canvas but let them back up and Jordan Morris landed a two-pointer to force extra-time. The Gaels kicked back into gear from there though.

They will have to contend with balancing this weekend’s preparations around Tommy McCaffrey’s wedding in Rome.

Ultan Kelm is their star forward and they’ll hope the injury sustained last time out doesn’t curtain his impact.

“I don’t even know who will play,” Kane said, as Kilcoo headed for the tunnel with Erne Gaels and Kingscourt still in action, “but we’ll worry about that Monday night.”

Kilcoo were impressive in their county final win over Carryduff and were in control for the most part against Loughmacrory.

Shealan Johnston kicked some vital scores with Darryl Branagan their heartbeat. He was everywhere, linking play and breaking up attacks.

Ryan McEvoy and Niall Branagan were their key performers in defence but another ingredient was Kane.

His ability to kick off either foot allowed Kilcoo to avail of anyone presenting themselves for the ball around the 40-metre kick-out arc.

Kilcoo will go into the clash as favourites and are fancied by the bookies to go on and lift the Ulster title. They are also second favourites, behind Ballyboden, to take home the Andy Merrigan Cup.

You have to walk before you can run though. Erne Gaels will have something to say about it on Saturday in Armagh.