Kilcoo go for last four

Kilcoo go for last four

26 October 2016

DOWN triumvirate of Kilcoo, Bredagh and Drumgath are in Ulster club championship action this Sunday and all three have realistic ambitions of making their respective semi-finals.

County senior champions Kilcoo face the night of Donegal’s Glenswilly in their last eight Ulster SFC clash at Pairc Esler, Newry, at 2.30pm.

The Magpies overcame the challenge of Monaghan’s Scotstown in their preliminary round clash.

The introduction of Ryan Johnston at half-time turned the tide in Kilcoo’s favour as the fleet-footed attacker scored the all important second half goal.

This was a particularly impressive win for Paul McIver’s side as the Farneymen had a team packed with  inter county talent in their ranks such as Rory Beggan and the Hughes brothers, Kieran and Darren.

Kilcoo won’t be able to call on the services of Jerome Johnston as he is out for the rest of the year with a broken metatarsal in his foot.

Glenswilly defeated favourites Kilcar in the Donegal final and have taken massive confidence from that success.

The team is spearheaded by team captain Michael Murphy at full forward with his fellow Donegal All Ireland winning team mate Neil Gallagher at midfield.

Kilcoo are well capable of winning this duel.

If they can ensure a disciplined defensive performance and keep Murphy relatively quiet then they have enough firepower to see them through.

The clash between Down intermediate champions Bredagh and Monaghan’s Donaghmoyne forms the curtain raiser in the Ulster IFC at Pairc Esler at 12.45pm.

The Belfast side strolled through their preliminary round encounter with Donegal’s Burt.

The Donegal final went to extra time in the replay that was played the day before they squared up to Bredagh.

Burt weren’t in the best of order in that tie due to the previous night’s celebrations as Jody Gormley’s side strolled to a facile 2-10 to 0-3 success.

Donaghmoyne defeated Rockcorry in the Monaghan decider by one point to secure their first IFC title since 1996.

Bredagh will have to keep a close eye on attacking duo Ronan McDonald and David Garland who are both dangerous from play and frees.

Donaghmoyne present a physical challenge but whether they can cope with the scoring exploits of Alan Davidson and Donal Hughes is a different story.

If the two Bredagh sharpshooters are on form then the Ravenhill Road outfit can upset the form book once again.

Drumgath make their bow in the JFC with a trip to Brewster Park, Enniskillen, for a 2.30pm throw-in.

Ronan Sexton’s side struggled to a draw in the county JFC final with Teconnaught before steamrolling the East Down unit in the replay.

In their way are Fermanagh champions Newtownbutler. The Erne side are built around a fast moving forward line that has James Connolly and Jarlath Jackman as focal points.

The outcome of this game depends on what Drumgath team takes to the field on Sunday.

If focused and up for the battle then they will cruise to victory but they have shown vulnerability this year when opposition teams have put it up to them. A good start is key.