Football

Kenny Archer: Grounds for optimism and concern in Ulster

IN CLASSIC journalistic fashion, Kenny Archer peers into his coffee cup to discern grounds for concern/optimism for the footballing fortunes of Ulster counties in 2016...

Monaghan and Donegal have become Ulster's big guns but both face testing challenges in 2016<br/>Picture by Colm O'Reilly
Monaghan and Donegal have become Ulster's big guns but both face testing challenges in 2016
Picture by Colm O'Reilly
Monaghan and Donegal have become Ulster's big guns but both face testing challenges in 2016
Picture by Colm O'Reilly

ANTRIM


It’s second season syndrome with a Saffron twist (albeit without the exorbitant cost usually associated with that spice).

Frank Fitzsimons did steady the ship and even achieved a Championship victory away from their own shores/glens/urban sprawls, but there remains much room for improvement. Despite the new men on the county board, the same challenges face the same manager - seeking promotion, then facing a trip to Fermanagh first up in Ulster.

One could be forgiven for thinking they’re training for a boxing title at the moment. Even one win in Ulster this year would be an unexpected bonus; Antrim’s sights should surely be set on successes in the spring in order to see their way out of Division Four.

ARMAGH


Not all of these sections will start by including the phrase 'second season syndrome’ but, although this one does, Armagh’s scenario is - like Antrim’s - unlike the usual meaning of those words. If that makes any sense at all.

Let’s start again, as Kieran McGeeney might like to. The difficulty for Armagh is not in doing better than his first sole season in charge because that was a disappointment, despite promotion as Division Three winners. Armagh supporters expected at least that - and they will expect much more in the Championship, but they have a tricky opener in Cavan.

The Mullaghbawn man may be cursing Crossmaglen’s latest Ulster triumph as it may make it hard to work with his best team until late March.

CAVAN


Their four consecutive victories in the Ulster U21 Championship seem like an awful long time ago, but it’s not even two years since the Breffni Blues completed that particular quadruple.

Still, manager Terry Hyland will readily acknowledge they must start delivering senior silverware - or even reach a first Ulster final in 15 years. They’ll be content with taking on Armagh at home in Ulster, but Breffni must become a 'Championship cauldron’ if they’re to conjure up the recipe for success.

Having renamed their main stadium - Kingspan, okay, Kingspan! - perhaps they should also rebrand their team and their image. Imagine them racing out with fearsome faces painted blue, the opposition trembling at the roar of the 'Hyland Warriors’ (cheques to the usual address, please).

DERRY


One of just two Ulster counties with a new football boss, Damian Barton, albeit one working with/under/alongside (details to be thrashed out by/with/for) his predecessor (Brian McIver).

If the Oak Leafers are to break out of their ‘underachievers’ bracket(s) (assuming one believes they have been underachieving), they simply have to reach the Ulster final (at least).

They’re (not so) secretly delighted with their Ulster draw, at home to the old enemy (Tyrone). The Red Hands never win at Celtic Park (in the Championship), or so I’ve been told (by Derry men). Win that and Derry will believe they’re heading back towards the top, er, bracket.

DONEGAL


This really could be the classic ‘difficult second season’ for Rory Gallagher. Donegal have had the most settled squad and, indeed, team over the past five years, but his provisional panel for the 2016 campaign shows he is well aware of the need for new blood.

How painless will that injection of potential players prove to be? Donegal kicked themselves out of retaining the Ulster title this year, so fresh legs might help. However, apparently you can’t buy/beat experience - unless you happen to be Mayo.

Like a modern-day Dr Frankenstein, Gallagher has to graft old heads onto young legs, with bodies worthy of wearing the Donegal jersey in between. It’s a monster, monster proposition.

DOWN


The other county with a new manager - eventually - but the Mourne men have suffered the same old bad luck of the draw.

Only Antrim and Fermanagh have gone longer without an Ulster title, but Éamonn Burns’ side will probably have to beat the two recent provincial powerhouses, Monaghan and Donegal, simply to reach the final.

The latest definition of 'the Down way’ which we’ve been offered is 'working together’. However, given their surprise rise up into Division One of the National Football League, many inside as well as outside the county may feel the only way is down.

On the up side, expectations appear to be low, so a couple of wins in the Championship could be regarded as a qualified success.

FERMANAGH


Ooh, ah, Pete McGrath brought many gasps of delight and approval to Fermanagh folk this year. They’re likely to enjoy/endure another rollercoaster ride next season, albeit one with more down than up on its trajectory.

The difficulty for the Erne men is dealing with raised expectations. That’s fine for the league, where survival in a tricky Division Two/quasi Ulster SFC will do. Yet all the pressure will be on them against Antrim, yet again, in the Championship. Their season may swing on that result. Win and they have a shot to nothing away to Donegal. Lose and they’re in the Qualifiers, where no one will underestimate them.

You never know what to expect with the Erne men. Hang on tight, Fermanagh fans.

MONAGHAN


It might almost be forgotten, certainly outside Monaghan, that they are the reigning Ulster champions.

That says more about the decline in importance of the provincial championships than any disregard for the Farney men, although their 'failure’ to get past the All-Ireland quarter-finals counts against them. As one of the top eight teams in the country, Malachy O’Rourke’s men will be desperate to reach the All-Ireland semi-finals for the first time since 1988.

The joy of a first Anglo-Celt Cup for a quarter-century in 2013 was a sufficient end - but another exit in the All-Ireland quarters won’t feel like half enough next year.

TYRONE


Entering his difficult, ahem, 14th season, Mickey Harte is in a strange situation, knowing defeat to Derry in the Championship wouldn’t be a disaster.

He’d love to win Ulster, obviously - he loves to win any and every trophy - having not even been in the final since 2010, but it’s the most difficult province in which to triumph. It might suit Tyrone’s long-term purposes, both this year and next, to peak in the spring to secure promotion back to Division One, then to build again outside the Ulster Championship.

Provincial success is still the best way to the All-Ireland, but the Red Hands somehow seem to know and negotiate the unknown Qualifier route like the back of their red hands. The real problem is the known knowns - Kerry, Mayo and, especially, Dublin.