Magpies set to soar past Burren in final

27 September 2017

KILCOO have their sights firmly fixed on lifting the Frank O’Hare Cup for the sixth year in succession when they take on Burren in the Morgan Fuels Down Senior Football Championship final at Pairc Esler on Sunday.

Paul McIver’s side intend emulating Burren, whose all-conquering outfit achieved the feat in the 1980s.

Paddy O’Rourke’s challengers last lifted the title in 2011 for the second year in succession, but they have lost two of the last five finals to Kilcoo.

Pairc Esler should be filled to the rafters for this showdown between the two most successful clubs in the county.

They have won 28 SFC titles between them - with Kilcoo going for their 16th crown.

Both sides have shown indifferent form in the league this season, but have come alive for the championship and a remarkable metamorphosis has taken place.

Burren’s blistering attack has amassed 9-56 and conceded 0-40 in their four games, while Kilcoo have scored 4-47 and conceded 2-32.

In their two league encounters Burren beat Kilcoo away from home 2-11 to 0-8, while Kilcoo won 0-9 to 0-7 at Burren. However, neither is challenging for league honours at the minute.

The bookmakers have Kilcoo as 1/3 favourites and Burren a generous 9/4. Certainly Burren will relish the underdogs tag as they have the power and physicality to cause an upset.

Their impressive semi-final victory over table-topping Castlewellan was a direct result of tactical awareness and work ethic in all areas of the park.

In Jamie McGovern, Stevie Fegan and Gerard McGovern they have a full back line who mark closely and give away few frees.

Declan Rooney, Conor Cox and Cathal Foy should fill the half back slots and they will have their work cut out against Paul Devlin, Ryan Johnston — if fit — and Martin Devlin.

Kevin McKernan, Mark McKay, Connor Toner and David McEntee provide service to a speedy set of forwards who can all take and make scores.

Donal O’Hare, Ryan Treanor, Conail McGovern and Sean Murdock are capable of punching holes in any defence. But Kilcoo have the ultimate defenders in the Branagan brothers — Niall, Aaron, Aidan, Eugene and Darryl — who epitomise the Magpies philosophy of refusing to give an inch.

They are five of the best man-to-man markers in the game. If you get past one, there is always another brother waiting and willing.

It is not a given that all five Branagan brothers will start as captain Darragh O’Hanlon, Gary McEvoy and Niall McEvoy look certain starters.

Sean O’Hanlon should be fit to partner Felim McGreevy in midfield. This duo dovetail perfectly as they go about the thankless task of winning dirty ball, providing cover and arming a score-laden attack.

McGreevy, the unsung hero of this team, gets through a phenomenal amount of work with the minimum of fuss.

In Paul Devlin, Conor Laverty, Ceilum Doherty, Martin Devlin and the Johnston brothers — Ryan and Jerome — Kilcoo have a set of forwards capable of destroying any defence.

With experience, pace, guile and a ruthless streak, they will take some stopping.

Burren also have potential match winners in McKernan and O’Hare.

McKernan is arguably the most complete footballer in Down, although Kilcoo would suggest that Darragh O’Hanlon fills that mantle.

The Burren man can play in any position and if Kilcoo can negate his influence on the game, then they will be on their way to a coveted six-in-a-row. Burren are also in the minor final curtain-raiser against Clonduff and are expected to get the day off to a winning start for the St Mary’s club.

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