KEVIN CASSIDY: Then there were two

AFTER last weekend’s game, we now have the pairing for the 2023 Ulster Club final and it’s one to get our teeth into.

We will get to that game next week to try and see where each team may get success in their question to take home the silver.

For now, let’s cast our minds back to two very exciting semi-final games, starting with Saturday evening.

It was Glen who claimed their place in the decider with a monster of a point with the last kick of the game from the left peg of Emmett Bradley.

There is no denying that Glen were far from their best and they were there for the taking, but they still deserved the win.

Naomh Conaill will look back on the game with some regrets as that was perhaps the best chance any team will get at knocking Glen out.

Unfortunately for Glenties, they just couldn’t land that killer punch and at times they struggled to offer any real threat going forward.

Glen uncharacteristically kicked a lot of wides and dropped some of their efforts short.

Glenties were given a life-line with a penalty that never should have been given, but after converting it they failed to kick on.

Glen got some big scores when they needed them and they got serious joy off Glenties’ own kick-outs at crucial stages in the game.

They now advance to the final and they won’t need me to tell them that they will have to significantly improve their performance if they want to retain their crown.

In the second semi-final, we were again treated to a game that had a bit of everything.

Scotstown probably deserved the win, but Jody Gormley and his players will know that they had the opportunity to win that game.

Scotstown, much like Glen the previous night, were not at their best but they still dug out the result.

They kicked 11 wides and that’s an area where they will definitely hone in on over the next two weeks.

In reality, they had enough possession and scoring opportunities in the first half to actually put the game to bed. It was their waywardness in front of goal that kept Trillick in the game and kept the game alive as a contest.

Massive credit must go to Trillick as they grew into the game and at times looked like the better team for periods of the game.

Trillick will take a lot away from the performance and perhaps it might improve how Tyrone club champions perform in the Ulster Club given their poor run of form of late.

From a Scotstown point of view, much like Glen, they will know only too well that they will have to make significant improvements if they are to become champions in two weeks’ time.

I thought the two Hughes brothers – Kieran and Darren – were absolutely immense when they were needed the most; carrying ball and kicking massive scores that helped inspire those around them.

Jack McCarron also came into the game in extra-time with a few very important turnovers and breaking balls.

It should make for an absolutely cracking encounter in two weeks’ time and it’s one we are all extremely excited about.