KEVIN CASSIDY: A gift that keeps on giving

THE club championship just keeps on giving. Look at last weekend, we were blessed with more amazing games taking place all over the country.

Now we all love the inter-county season and what it brings but I think you will all admit that the club championship campaign has just got that little bit extra in terms of people identifying with it and the excitement that brings.

Over the last number of years, we have been used to seeing the same teams coming out of each country but this season for whatever reason we have witnessed upset after upset. Perhaps it’s the new playing rules that are facilitating this. Who knows? Whatever it is, it’s great to see.

Last weekend, Madden and Loughmacrory were crowned as champions in their respective counties and you could see the pure joy and elation that brings. For me, that’s what the club championship is all about.

Growing up as a young lad playing for your club it has to be the number one aim to want to win a Senior Championship particularly if you come from a club that perhaps isn’t used to winning championships.

If you are lucky enough to win, then when that moment arrives that is a very, very special occasion, not just for you, but for everyone involved and those watching on the sidelines. I have no doubt that within both of those clubs all week there has been a massive buzz with all of that hard work and labour coming to fruition and that is a buzz that is very hard to replicate.

As we know, know all of the county champions, the full focus swings towards the provincial series coming around the corner.

What a number of weeks we have ahead of us here in Ulster. Scotstown won their championship again at the weekend setting up a mouthwatering clash with Donegal champions Naomh Conaill, in what should be an incredible tussle.

Loughmacrory’s prize for winning their first county title is a clash with Ulster kingpins Kilcoo. Most teams make fear that clash, but, having watched this young Loughmacrory side, I have no doubt that they will have absolutely no fear and perhaps they might even relish the challenge.

Any team with young McElholm and McCullagh up front shouldn’t fear anyone and I’d say that’s exactly how they feel.

Back-to-back Derry champions Newbridge will face Dunloy from Antrim. Given their experience at this level, you would expect Newbridge to progress but the beautiful thing about this year’s championship is that everything is possible.

Over the next number of weeks, we will sift through these games and I have no doubt that there will be an upset or two along the way but as the winter nights draw in, isn’t it fantastic to this sort of competitive football to look forward to every weekend.

I never like to look too far ahead, but the fact that I have no skin in the game allows me to glance across the other provinces.

When you see some of the big teams that have fallen by the wayside, then you can only imagine that whoever progresses as Ulster champions will have a serious say in where the All-Ireland club title heads in 2026.

Check out this week’s preview with Gerard O’Kane, looking ahead to the Ulster Club Championship.