AIB Ulster Club IFC quarter-final: Castledawson (Derry) v Whitecross (Armagh) (tomorrow, Owenbeg, 2.30pm)
WHITECROSS captain Dermott Boyle insists that this year will be different ahead of tomorrow’s intermediate clash against Castledawson.
The south Armagh side last won the Atty Hearty Cup in 2007 and were subsequently handed an away Ulster fixture against Derry side Newbridge, which the home side won.
It was Whitecross’s first adventure at Ulster level and taken by many as a novelty, but attitudes have changed since and Boyle is determined that the two-hour bus journey to Dungiven won’t be a jolly this year.
“We are going for the win this time,” said Boyle.
“I think the last time we were in the Ulster Championship we didn’t take it seriously and that is a regret of the older boys in the panel. This time around we have taken a different approach and the boys are tuned in and fully focused on Sunday’s game against Castledawson.”
Castledawson won their third Derry intermediate title in 10 years and are well versed at Ulster level. Manager Philip Bradley sets his team up to attack in numbers and they are a tall and physically strong side. Aidan Keenan and captain Niall McNichol stood out in the Derry county final win over Steelstown and they will be expected to shine tomorrow.
But Whitecross are a well-seasoned team, with the majority of the side in the 30-something bracket. Still, though, Whitecross manager Noel Marron places his trust in speed in thought and foot, especially up front.
Armagh’s Mark Shields is a key player for the St Killian’s club, but men such as Barry McKeown; Cathal McSherry and his brother Neil; Anthony McCann and Conor Malone have been the mainstay of the team over this past decade.
Men such as Darren Shields, Niall Og Boyle, Barry Shields, Kieran McNulty, Declan Lennon and Michael Malone have added steel throughout the team, while young (under 30 in Whitecross) Michael McGrory, Ryan McSherry and goalkeeper Tomas Canning have been exceptional this season.
And Boyle believes his players still have the capabilities despite what date is on their birth certificates.
“Age is only a number,” said Boyle.
“Anyone that saw Conor Malone (36-years-old) in the county final and watched him kick 1-7 from play and then we have Barry McKeown (35-years-old) covering every blade of grass on the pitch and still pulling the strings. There’s many a player at 25 years old would love to be able to play like those men.
“Our aim is to deliver the performance we know we are capable of and if we do that then we will see where it takes us. But one thing is for sure, we will give it our best shot.”