GLENN manager John Kennedy acknowledged that he couldn’t have asked for a tougher assignment than playing Kilcoo on Friday in the first of the four Down Senior Football Championship qualifiers in Páirc Esler at 8.15pm.
Despite Kilcoo losing to Burren in the opening round, those two sides are favourites to contest the final. The Magpies failed to field in a recent Down All County League game against Burren, whereas underdogs Glenn are contesting tomorrow’s game on the back of a 2-10 to 2-8 win over Mayobridge, which all but secured their Division One status.
And, while Kennedy is aware his side are entering the lion’s den, he insists it won’t be to lie down.
“We will approach the game aiming to do our best and play to the maximum of our ability and see where it takes us,” said Kennedy.
“Obviously Kilcoo are an excellent team, they aren’t defending champions for nothing and we will have to be at our very best to even compete with them, but we are not going to lie down.
“That said we do not underestimate our task in hand by any stretch of the imagination.”
Glenn, who are only in their second season in the senior championship after a hiatus of 26 years, impressed with an opening round win over Longstone before losing by two points to St Peter’s, Warrenpoint. And while not happy with losing to the ’Point, Kennedy feels his side are in bonus territory,
“It has been a good year to be honest, our main focus this season was to stay in Division One," he said.
“We were disappointed with ourselves against Warrenpoint but we did well against Longstone and put in a good performance against the ’Bridge and hopefully we will not be too far away from Kilcoo.”
Glenn will have sharp-shooter Mattie Bagnall back, having missed the last championship game due to holidays, while favourites Kilcoo should have everyone available for selection, even though there are doubts over the fitness of the dynamic Jerome Johnston.
The remaining qualifier games take place tomorrow, with Liatroim and Bryansford getting proceedings underway in Castlewellan at 3pm.
Bryansford should possess too much firepower and creativity for a Liatroim side that has failed to impress thus far in the championship despite some flashes of brilliance from former Mourne county star Liam Doyle.
Frank Dawson’s Bryansford have played the versatile Kalum King up front but the former county man is expected to start tomorrow’s game in the middle with Conor Maginn and Danny Savage expected to carry the creative attacking threat.
There should be little to separate Clonduff and Ballyholland when they commence battle in the first of a double-header in Páirc Esler (throw in at 6.45pm).
Clonduff suffered a last-gasp championship defeat to fierce rivals Rostrevor, who have subsequently been relegated from Division One of the league, whereas Ballyholland bounced back from their initial championship defeat to Warrenpoint with a comfortable win over a poor Annaclone side.
Both teams will fancy their chances of success, but Ballyholland Harps, managed by Stephen Poacher, have momentum behind them and currently sit third in Division One, alongside St Peter’s and Mayobridge.
Again, Ronan Murtagh and teenager Tiernán Rushe are their main scoring threats, whereas Clonduff need to spread the scoring burden and not be so reliant on Down forward Arthur McConville.
Castlewellan and Longstone go toe-to-toe in the second game of the double-header with a late throw-in time of 8.15pm.
The ’Stone will be without the injured Ambrose Rogers, which is a massive blow to the former Down captain and the club, but Conor Doran, Mark Poland and Michael Ireland are their main threats up front.
Castlewellan’s Kevin Duffin, Rory Burns and Aidan Burns are players the Town need to perform and they will hope the lively Cathal Crilly is on form in a game that could go into extra-time.
