THREE IS ULSTER’S MAGIC NUMBER

Difficulty of achieving a three in-a-row in Ulster is what makes it so special to savour, writes Colm Keys

IT hardly requires evidence to support the claim that Ulster is, and has been, the most difficult province to win a football title in. If an exhibit is required, though, look no further than the dearth of counties that have managed to put together a coveted three in-a-row.

Cavan did it copiously in the first half of the last century, their vice-like grip on northern affairs churning out several, until their last between 1947 and ’49.

The music didn’t quite stop for the Breffni men just then, but the decibel level certainly lowered with an awakening in other parts of the province. Down stitched together one during their most glorious spell, 1959 to ‘61, and Armagh’s propensity for mastering home affairs without necessarily capitalising beyond that, manifested in a sometimes forgotten three in a row between 2004 and 2006, the bigger picture of the pursuit of a second All-Ireland title for that team overshadowing an achievement of sterling value. But that has been the height of it.

These days Dublin and Kerry are in the midst of record-breaking runs in Leinster and Munster with no sign of fracture, the effect being a diminishing one on the nature of provincial glory. At least Connacht is a little more democratic, now Mayo’s grip on the Nestor Cup has been loosened.

Does provincial success really register any more? In a year when the GAA has reverted to straight knockout, the value lifts again, however temporarily.

And, in Ulster, with another rare three-in-a-row on the table, there will be heightened interest.

Doubled

At the beginning of the last decade, Donegal had five Ulster titles. Ten years on, that figure has doubled. Since 2011, they have only failed to contest an Ulster final once (2017).

As coach, Jim McGuinness lit the fuse, but this era of Donegal success is now becoming more synonymous with Michael Murphy and his leadership.

To be in a position to land a third successive title again – where they were previously in 2013, before Monaghan ambushed them – reflects the current wellbeing of the county, and the consistently high standards they are reaching.

Even now, without the benefit of a league programme, their starting 15 looks close to nailed down with, maybe, a couple of floating positions. Can any other county in the province claim that?

Inevitably, this championship will take its cue from what happens in Ballybofey on the first weekend of action, and the renewal of Donegal’s rivalry with Tyrone.

When the league was suspended in March, Tyrone had signed off with narrow home wins over Kerry and Dublin, the common denominator being the appalling conditions that both games were played in. But it underpinned Tyrone’s resilience on each occasion, after defeats to Monaghan and Galway.

Where are they now? Colm Cavanagh has retired, Cathal McShane’s recovery from a broken ankle has had a setback to keep him out until 2021, but Conor McKenna’s return and quick integration allows for so many possibilities. bilities.

There is alsolso the prospect of this being Mickey Harte’ste’s last season in charge.harge. In place since late 2002, Harte was given a further three ee years in 2017, 7, an agreement ent which expires res once Tyrone’s e’s interest in the he championship hip is at an end.

The expectation is that he will be keen to continue and a new arrangement nt will be put in n place – Tyrone one have reached ed four of the last ast five All-Ireland and semi-finals – but how that would play out with an early championship exit remains to be seen.

Séamus McEnaney is back for a second spell as Monaghan manager. It was McEnaney, initially, who triggered Monaghan’s climb back up the graph in the mid 2000s, getting promotion to Division One, contesting two Ulster finals, and pushing Kerry hard in an All-Ireland quarter-final.

When Malachy O’Rourke’s successful seven-year stint ended, McEnaney was well positioned to step in, having managed an Ulster minorwinning side in 2018. He has surrounded himself with a strong backroom team that includes former forme Down footballer ConConor Laverty and former Cavan C and Tyrone strenstrength and conditioning coach Peter DonneDonnelly. Monaghan have got the benbenefit of the softer softe side of the Ulster draw, dr too, not no just sidestepping sid Donegal Do and Tyrone, Ty but, potentially, pot Arm Armagh, their thei conq conquerors in last year’s y qualifie qualifiers, providedprovid Kieran McGe McGeeney’s side oovercome Derry in their opening open round, roun of course. cour

For Cavan, Fermanagh and Down, in each of the last three years, avoidance of Donegal and Tyrone, has been capitalised on with appearances in the final.

The pathway for Monaghan is clear if they can exact revenge on Cavan in the championship’s first game, with Antrim and Down or Fermanagh providing subsequent potential hurdles.

If McEnaney and his team can ensure the renewal evident in the league games before lockdown can be maintained, an Ulster final can be reached, despite the taxing nature of six consecutive weekends of action it will bring.

Effective

Dependency on Conor McManus (inset) is high, but Conor McCarthy is really developing into the player he always threatened to be, as an effective support act.

Armagh’s presence on the other side provokes interest beyond the obvious Donegal-Tyrone axis. Their recent Ulster Championship record is poor, but their forward line bristles with scoring potential.

Of the rest, Cavan’s momentum from last summer seems to have staggered somewhat, while Derry, who have welcomed Conor Glass back from the AFL, and Down are in different phases of development.

Ultimately, Ballybofey is perhaps the most significant early fork in the road in this year’s championship.

The prize of a third successive Anglo-Celt Cup can cement Donegal as one of the great modern-day Ulster teams.