Football

Scotstown firepower may be too hot for Burren to handle

Scotstown and Monaghan goalkeeper Rory Beggan. Picture by Seamus Loughran.
Scotstown and Monaghan goalkeeper Rory Beggan. Picture by Seamus Loughran. Scotstown and Monaghan goalkeeper Rory Beggan. Picture by Seamus Loughran.

THIS is a game between sleeping giants of this competition, but two teams who are, currently, at different stages of their respective developments.

Such are the reputations of the Down and Monaghan champions, that their places in the Ulster Club SFC hall of fame have been long since secured.

Burren were the high kings of the 1980s – claiming wins in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987 and 1988, while Scotstown also scored a three in a row between 1978 and 1980, and were top of the heap again in 1989.

As the 80s became the 90s and beyond, however, both of their fortunes dipped, with the St Mary’s club making it back to just two deciders. In 1992, they lost out to Lavey and in 2011, they were beaten by Crossmaglen.

Scotstown, meanwhile, have fared even worse, with just one final appearance since 1989 – a loss to Cross’ in 2015.

Let’s start with the Monaghan men. Last month they made it four county titles in a row, and although all of their games were close encounters, they are clearly the leaders of the pack in Monaghan. Not by any great distance, but out in front nonetheless.

And although they are a formidable outfit, the defeat to Cross’ three years ago, when they were quietly fancied, sent them into something of a tailspin. First round losses – to Kilcoo and Kilcar – followed.

But here they are back again, rejuvenated, and with a win against Derrygonnelly already in the bag to boot. That game told us plenty about them. It was a tough, physical clash, which was still up for grabs at the half time whistle.

After the break though, Kieran Donnelly’s men grabbed matters by the scruff of the neck, and eventually won well. Their display showed them to be hard, seasoned campaigners, with the necessary ruthless streak.

Those qualities are essential in this competition and at this time of the year. But they are not enough. There have been plenty of teams who have arrived onto this stage ready to run through walls.

Scotstown are also laced with class. From All-Star goalkeeper Rory Beggan, through experienced defenders such as Damian McArdle and Emmet Caulfield to the stardust of the Hughes brothers, Conor McCarthy and Shane Carey – they have all the tools required.

Throw into the mix younger men such as Ryan O’Toole, Jack McDevitt, Francis Maguire and Jamie McCarey – who have all impressed this year – and Burren’s task looks onerous.

Burren boss Paddy O’Rourke has the job of lifting his men again after they rose superbly to the challenge of dethroning Kilcoo as Down champions. The Magpies had reigned supreme in the Mourne county for six long years. And for a proud club like Burren, that must have hurt.

They can take great confidence from that win, although, and not wishing to take away from it, it should be noted that it was achieved against a Kilcoo side shorn of a number of key men.

Accordingly, whether or not they have ousted the former serial champs in the short, medium or long term remains to be seen. But that’s for another day.

Tomorrow they will run out at Pairc Esler as worthy opponents for Scotstown. Their hunger in the Down showpiece was insatiable, and if they can get to that level again, they will put Scotstown to the pin of their collars.

They too have an excellent free-taking keeper in the shape of Cathal Murdock – he nailed four frees against Kilcoo and sufficient quality elsewhere to make a game of it, at the very least, with the best around.

The calm and versatile Kevin McKernan is crucial to them, and although he has the ability to orchestrate those around him and fire inspirational scores, He may be asked to pick up the dangerous Darren Hughes.

The heretofore absent Gerard McGovern would be a terrific addition to their defence, but even without him, O’Rourke’s men have managed to be relatively parsimonious at the back, with the likes of Ardan McAvoy, Conor Cox, David McEntee, and Steven Fegan being solid performers.

Up front, they pack plenty of speed and punch, with Paudie Poland, Donal O’Hare, Cathal Foy, Liam Kerr and Ronan McGrath all excellent attackers.

O’Hare is the jewel in the crown though. His 2-5 against Kilcoo was only part of the story, as he ran himself into the ground for the cause.

On balance, the suspicion is that if Scotstown can keep O’Hare quiet and not cough up too many scoreable frees, they should be more than half way to the last four.

I feel that not only will they have too many guns for Burren, vitally, they also have a greater bank of experience to draw from.