KILCOO must overcome Loughinisland on Sunday if they are to keep their five-in-a-row chances alive.
But first Frank Dawson’s Mayobridge and Stephen Poacher’s Ballyholland go head-to-head tomorrow night to kick-start the last round of Qualifiers in the Morgan Fuels Down Senior Club Championship.
Tomorrow’s match in Pairc Esler should be the pick of the four with Mayobridge expected to react to last week’s poor performance against Clonduff. Benny Coulter and Kevin O’Rourke should be fit to start, which will give Dawson his first chance of the Championship to name his strongest team.
But Ballyholland’s confidence was given a massive boost following their victory over Glenn. With Robbie White back in the team, as well as Patrick McAteer, Tiarnan Rushe and of course former Down man Ronan Murtagh playing at the top of their game, Poacher’s side could spring another surprise.
Downpatrick are favourites to get past Rostrevor in Saturday’s clash at Newcastle, but it shouldn’t be so straightforward given how their late rally against Warrenpoint wasn’t enough on Monday night.
Shane Mulholland’s Rostrevor strolled past Ballymartin and they should have defeated Mayobridge in the opening round.
If they can curtail Downpatrick brothers Damian and Peter Turley then Rostrevor have the ability to spring a surprise and make it into the last eight of the Championship.
Kilcoo face Loughinisland in Castlewellan and even though they failed to impress against Burren they should still possess too much quality against the Blues. Johnston brothers Ryan and Jerome are yet to play for Kilcoo this season and are likely to be held back until the quarter-finals should the Magpies qualify.
Loughinisland’s Dan Gordon, Stefan Mason, Gareth Johnston and Johnny Flynn can trouble Kilcoo, but the Magpies are only warming up for what they expect to be a long season ahead and shouldn’t get caught by the Blues.
Castlewellan play Longstone in the last of the back door games on Sunday night and with Cathal Crilly and Fintan McGreevy playing their best football of late, the Town can get past the threat of Mark Poland’s Longstone and book their place in the last eight.
Burren, Clonduff, Bryansford, Warrenpoint have already booked their place in the quarter-finals.
