Burren should fend off ‘Bridge challenge

RESPONSE…Frank Dawson saw his side respond well to their clonduff defeat with a good win over Ballyholland

Burren v Mayobridge
(Tonight, Pairc Esler, 6.45pm)
MAYOBRIDGE manager Frank Dawson has confirmed that Benny Coulter and Kevin O’Rourke are fully fit for tonight’s quarter-final with Burren.

Dawson has acknowledged that the St Mary’s men are very strong favourites to make it to the last four, but he will also be encouraged by his side’s display against Ballyholland in the last round.
The side entered that match with a cloud over their head after they were comfortably beaten by underdogs Clonduff.

A match against a game Harps side wasn’t exactly an easy proposition when trying to get back on the horse, but the ‘Bridge delivered a composed performance with Cory Quinn, Cormac Linden, son of Mickey, and Ryan Brady catching the eye.

Brady grabbed one of the goals in the 2-17 to 1-13 win and won the penalty for the other, which was converted by Cathal Magee.

Adrian Barry was sent off but his appeal was successful on Wednesday night.

The expectancy levels around Burren jumped significantly following their six-point victory over Kilcoo in their last match.

It was a strange game with neither side really seeming to operate at full pace.

One man who did go at full tilt in the final few minutes was midfielder Conor Toner who made some lung-bursting runs to twice finish to the Kilcoo net.

Kevin McKernan didn’t feature in that match due to injury but could be in the reckoning here although Donal O’Hare is not back from America in time for this.
VERDICT: Burren