Morgan Fuels Down SFC semi-final
Glenn v Kilcoo (Saturday, Pairc Esler, 6.30pm)
THERE is no other way of dressing it up – it will be a monumental shock if Kilcoo are not looking ahead to a 13th county final in-a-row by the time all is said and done on Saturday evening.
Glenn are well worth their place in the last four, however, and anybody writing off their chances entirely might want to remind themselves how Stevie Clarke’s men have performed in recent times.
When they run out at Pairc Esler, Glenn will be competing in a second consecutive county semi-final. That doesn’t happen by chance, or by fluke. In 2023 they toppled Saval and Longstone before taking the scalp of Mayobridge in the quarter-final.
Burren may have run out 10 point winners once the Friday night lights were switched on in the last four, but that doesn’t tell how competitive Glenn were for much of that game until late goals from Paudie Poland and Liam Kerr added a flourish to the final scoreline.
They have backed that run up - and then some - this year, rebounding from defeat to Carryduff early on see off Castlewellan, Clonduff and a resurgent Bryansford.
With Down ‘keeper John O’Hare between the sticks, and men like former county captain Niall McParland, Shay Millar, Denis Murtagh, David Brooks and Jack McCartan among their ranks, they have the quality, and the experience, to go toe-to-toe with anyone.
Kilcoo, though, still look a class above everybody else.
Even without Ryan Johnston, who will miss out as he recovers from an ankle injury, they proved far too strong for Mayobridge last week.
Kilcoo’s strength-in-depth remains a huge asset, with 2022 club player of the year Eugene Branagan used sparingly until recent weeks, and super-sub Sean Og McCusker bagging 1-2 in a classy cameo against the ‘Bridge.
The Magpies have become the masters of moving through the gears when it matters; Glenn will make life uncomfortable, but that is unlikely to be enough as Kilcoo’s title defence kicks on.
