Kerr hoping Sarsfields can end Ulster wait

By Shaun Casey

WHILE there’s plenty of experience in the Sarsfields camp, no player in their dressing room has won an Ulster Championship game, but skipper Niall Kerr is hoping the Armagh side can change that record against Derry’s Glenullin.

The High Moss men are back on the provincial scene for the first time in 15 years, but you have to go all the way back to 1990 for their last win in Ulster.

That was in at senior level but having won the intermediate championship in the Orchard County this season, Sarsfields now take on the challenge of Oakleaf champions Glenullin on Sunday afternoon.

“Although we have experience in our team, we don’t really have experience of the Ulster Club,” explained Kerr. “In 2010 we played Doohamlet and were beaten.

“It’s been 35 years since the club’s had a win in Ulster so it’s a long time ago. Glenullin, on the other hand, have won three of the last four Derry titles so they have that Ulster experience whereas we don’t.

“W still have a lot of experience in the panel and boys that have played for years, albeit not at Ulster level, so they might have a wee bit over us that way, but sometimes those things can be read into a wee bit too much.”

It’s unknown territory for Kerr and a lot of his teammates but they are excited by the new venture. Kerr hopes that his side can throw the shackles off and play with a freedom in Ulster that they maybe didn’t feel in their own county.

“It’s 15 years since we played in Ulster and I don’t know how many years that I have played now but this is the first time I have ever won the championship,” the Sarsfields captain continued.

“We celebrated the county championship, and I think that was a really important thing to do, but now, it’s a new competition. Every team that is competing in Ulster, they are there because they’ve won a county medal.

“You’re no further ahead or you’re no further behind the pack in that sense. It’s a new competition and we’re hoping to have a real crack at it.

“There might be a wee bit more freedom than when you play in Armagh. We played St Paul’s in the final and Grange in the semi-final and we play those teams week in, week out.

“We know all about them and they know all about us but now we’re playing teams without that same knowledge so it’s new and it’s exciting so we’re looking forward to it.”

The Derry champions defeated Moneyglass convincingly in the preliminary round last Saturday evening, winning 2-17 to 0-6 at Owenbeg, so Kerr and his side are well aware of the challenge they face this weekend.

“When you’re winning by 17 points in Ulster, it’s a massive statement,” added the Sarsfields defender.

“They were very impressive and obviously we know what we’re coming up against but hopefully we can match them on Sunday.”