We must step up to the mark to lift Donegal title, insists Cassidy
anaigh, Ryan McEvoy, Anthony Morgan and the indefatigable Ward are among the newer faces in a Kilcoo side which is still underpinned by a considerable raft of experience.
True to form, you won’t hear any brash predictions emanating from the Kilcoo camp, where new manager Mickey Moran leads by quiet authority.
Suffice to say, though, that the Ulster Club Championship title has not rested in the Mourne county for over three decades.
It was when Burren were in their pomp in the 1980s that Ulster, and indeed All-Ireland, titles found a home there, but since then they have been conspicuous by their absence.
Should Laverty, the quintessential team player who can be found at the heart of his defence one moment and within the vicinity of the opposition posts the next, bring his leadership skills, creative flair and seemingly boundless work-rate into play, Kilcoo might yet serve notice that they have their sights firmly on the provincial prize.
Meanwhile, another Down side will take what they hope will be their first step towards glory. Glenn created a stir when they won the County Intermediate Championship title and now they will face Fermanagh side Kinawley in the Ulster Championship at Brewster Park, Enniskillen on Sunday (12.30pm).
Glenn skipper Conor Cranny believes that the way in which his side overcame Newry Shamrocks in the county final will provide the spur they need on Sunday.
“It was hard going against the Shamrocks but we stuck at it, and if we show the same spirit against Kinawley I don’t think we will be too far away,” states Cranny. IN what seems like an endless succession of province-wide replays, Gaoth Dobhair and Naomh Conaill will bring down the curtain on what has been a protracted Club Championship sector when they meet for a third time tonight to decide just who will lift the Donegal Senior Football title.
As reigning champions, Gaoth Dobhair will start in pole position, but their 2012 Donegal All-Ireland winning full-forward Kevin Cassidy believes that the team must take its scoring chances tonight if it is to earn the right to meet Cavan champions Castlerahan in the Ulster quarter-final on Sunday.
“Both teams will re-group and go at it hammer and tongs again, but this time round we have to put our scores away,” insists Cassidy.
“We probably played reasonably well as a team last Sunday, but on an individual front some of us would not have been happy with our displays. We must start on the right foot.”
Defender Neil McGee is among those who believe that the final has evolved into a saga.
“We will be sick of looking at each other by the time the match ends,” he declares.
Naomh Conaill have shown considerable resolve and Gaoth Dobhair manager Mervyn O’Donnell accepts they will go flat-out again tonight.
“They are a very resolute side who do not yield easily,” he maintains.