Second bite of cherry

Second bite of cherry

6 November 2013

KILCOO GAC will hope to finish the job off when they take on Crossmaglen Rangers in an Ulster Club SFC quarter-final replay at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh on Sunday.

Kilcoo gave as good as they got in Newry on Sunday and at one stage looked like running away with the game, but Crossmaglen, bidding to come out of Ulster for the fourth year in a row, took command of the tie with extra time time almost up.

With five minutes of regulation time left, the Armagh champions were staring the exit door in the face when they were four points down, but a Stephen Kernan goal and a point from Martin Aherne forced extra-time.

It then took two Herculean points from the impressive Darragh O’Hanlon to salvage a draw at the end of extra time for Kilcoo on a 2-9 to 1-2 scoreline.

Kilcoo may have missed the boat on Sunday as they had Crossmaglen on the rack for a while.

A brilliant start saw the Magpies move stealthily into a 1-3 to 0-0 lead after 16 minutes, thanks to a goal from Ryan Johnston.

The Orchard County record-breakers faced an embarrassing exit from the championship, but they rolled up their sleeves and pegged Kilcoo back with their new breed of players showing all the hunger and commitment displayed by their predecessors.

Crossmaglen’s appetite for the game was there for all to see and in 18 year-old Callum Cumiskey they have an undoubted star of the future with a massive amount of potential.

Paul Óg Grant is 20 years-old and he is just back from an 18-month cruciate injury lay-off and Kyle Brennan, who formerly played with Newry Bosco, and Kyle Carragher have been in and out of the team for a few years, but they are stepping up to the plate.

If Crossmaglen are to shake off Kilcoo then they will have to do it without the services of Aaron Kernan, who is sidelined for two months with an Achilles injury.

Kilcoo, have proved themselves by winning three Down titles in the last five years and losing last year’s Ulster final, also have injury worries as Anthony Devlin, Jerome Johnston, Felim McGreevy and Aaron Branagan picked up knocks in Sunday’s drawn game.

Joe Kernan’s Armagh kingpins are expected to field the same starting 15 on Sunday again.

Goalkeeper Paul Hearty, as reliable as they come, had no chance with Kilcoo’s two goals in Newry and he will again pose a huge last line of defence.

He will be fronted by a mobile full back in county star, Paul McKeown, and a half back line of Aaron Kernan, as attack-minded as ever, Garvan Carragher and Danny O’Callaghan.

Johnny Hanratty and Tony Kernan held their own in midfield on Sunday and should they gain control of the midfield sector then Kilcoo may go on full alert.

The much-vaunted Crossmaglen attack were basically starved of possession against Kilcoo and if Stephen Kernan and Aaron Cunningham receive better quality ball into the half forward line then Kilcoo are in trouble.

The Rangers full forward line of Kyle Brennan, Kyle Carragher and Cathal Cumiskey are gave notice of how dangerous they can be and the Kilcoo defence will have to be even more vigilant this Sunday.

Stephen Kane had an exceptional game in nets for Kilcoo on Sunday.

He produced one spectacular save and was commanding all afternoon with his kick-outs and clearances.

Kilcoo’s full back line of Niall Branagan, Niall McEvoy and Daryll Branagan gave a disciplined display and they will have to repeat that on Sunday, marking tight and not giving away needless frees.

Half back Darragh O’Hanlon, a candidate for man of the match with his four points, Gerard McEvoy and Gary McEvoy will be tasked with man marking Crossmaglen’s playmakers, but they are up to the task.

Paul Greenan, Aidan Branagan and Sean O’Hanlon did all that was asked of them, but even they will have to up their game if Kilcoo are to emerge victorious from the lion’s den on Sunday.

Paul Devlin, who scored three points on Sunday, is pivotal to Kilcoo’s success. He must see a greater share of the ball if Kilcoo are to prosper.

He has an eye for a pass and can pick out the runs of Conor Laverty even before Laverty starts his run. Devlin’s accuracy from free kicks will also be vital to Kilcoo’s chances and he must punish any Crossmaglen indiscretions.

Anthony Devlin gave his usual committed performance and his never-say-die attitude epitomises all that is good about Kilcoo football.

Kilcoo have nothing to lose on Sunday, but they must believe, really believe that they can win.