Wolfhounds in the hunt for success
LIMAVADY Wolfhounds may go into tonight’s Ulster Club Junior Football Championship final against Red Hughs from Donegal at Celtic Park, Derry (7.00pm) under something of a cloud now that they are losing Callum Brown to the AFL, but they can certainly take comfort from some impressive statistics.
The north Derry outfit have lost only one game this year and in every game they have played apart from one they have hit their opponents’ net on at least one occasion.
This formidable backdrop is calculated to send a side into battle fortified by towering confidence but while the Wolfhounds will certainly not lack self-belief they are fully aware of Red Hughs’ own credentials.
In beating a strongly fancied Emyvale that had charted an impressive course to the Monaghan title, the Donegal side gave every indication that they have the provincial title in their focus.
While Limavady will look to the strapping Brown, so impressive for Derry at under-age level this year, to help fire up their challenge they are far from being a one-trick pony.
Brandon O’Brien’s goal-scoring exploits have thrust him into the limelight — his ability to find the net proved crucial in the recent game against Aghadrumsee — while Richard King, Ruairi Hasson and Oisin Hartin are other key players in the side.
Manager Dominic Woods knows that while his side have shown themselves to be one of the most consistent forces in the province at any level this year they face a severe test tonight against a team that has both power and panache.
“Obviously it’s great to be in this final but we know that we will be facing a very difficult task,” observes Woods. “Red Hughs have won some big games lately and I think this shows you the quality that is contained in their side.”
While the Wolfhounds undoubtedly have their share of scoring talent, Red Hughs are certainly not lacking in finishing skills.
And in Calvin Bradley they have an excellent performer who invariably emerges as their leading scorer irrespective of the quality of the opposition.
It’s Bradley’s penchant for finding the net that often dictates the outcome of games in which his side is involved so the Limavady defence will need to have its guard up tonight.