In normal times a Down Senior Club Championship clash between Mayobridge and defending county champions Kilcoo would have Pairc Esler rocking.
But as Covid 19 numbers are creeping up again, there will only be 400 people (with tickets) permitted into the ground tonight (at 7.30pm) although the game will be broadcast live on TG4.
Mayobridge manager Ciaran McKeever is aiming to pull off a famous result tonight when he comes up against Mickey Moran’s Magpies and he won’t allow the lack of a crowd to alter his plan.
“It is what it is, and if there are crowds of 400 or no-one there, we are going with the same mindset,” said McKeever.
“We are preparing ourselves the best we can to go and compete and be competitive and give Kilcoo a good rattle on Friday night.”
The former Armagh captain is building a Sky Blues team for the future that can compete at the top table again. Kilcoo have set the bar but the Bridge boss has been pleased with the winner mentality in his squad, especially after coming back from lockdown.
“We kept training hard for six or seven weeks during lockdown as the boys were given their individual programmes and we didn’t see any ray of light coming, so we gave the boys some downtime,” said McKeever.
“But the one thing I emphasised with them was that I said to the boys if you have any ambitions of winning Down Senior Championships or Leagues, then regardless what is happening, it is important they keep themselves in shape and be mindful of that so that if football came back then they would be ready to come back in proper order.
“And that is what we got from this group, once we got the green light that football was happening, I was very happy with the boys with how they came back and it was easy for us to build another couple of layers and start to prepare for league and Championship.”
Understandably county and Ulster champions Kilcoo go into tonight’s game as favourites. They have Celium Doherty and Down’s Darragh O’Hanlon back in the side, having missed all last season championship, so arguably Kilcoo are in an even better position than last year, there’s a thought.
Conor Laverty, Eugene and Aaron Branagan have been impressive during their three league games, while Miceal Rooney might also have forced his way into Mickey Moran’s starting 15.
Mayobridge have used over 30 players during their three league games and their big squad has made in house games possible and essential. Adam Crimmins is expected to play some part and he is due to play for St Colman’s College in the delayed MacRory Cup Final in October. Cory Quinn and Kevin O’Rourke are their go-to forwards. Caolan Gallagher has grown into a key player for the Sky Blues and young Charlie Smyth has impressed while Shane O’Hare, Conleth O’Hare and Shane McNamee have plenty of experience behind them.
Also tonight, Pete McGrath’s Rostrevor face Downpatrick in Castlewellan, at 7.30pm.
Caolan Mooney could be available for selection after being out with hamstring issues. His participation could hold sway in the outcome of this clash.
