Morgan Fuels Down SFC round one: Kilcoo v Clonduff (tonight, Pairc Esler, 7.30pm)
TONIGHT sees the renewal of one of the hottest rivalries in Down football – and Clonduff boss Ciaran McBride expects reigning All-Ireland champions Kilcoo to come into this year’s campaign with greater hunger than ever before.
Only five miles separates these neighbouring clubs and there is rarely much to choose between them when it comes to championship combat, with the Magpies pulling away in the closing stages of last year’s first round encounter en route to a ninth Down crown in 10 years.
From there Kilcoo went on to claim a second successive Ulster title before being crowned kings of Ireland for the first time in February.
Despite that remarkable achievement, however, McBride believes the desire to emulate and eventually overtake Burren’s 1980s achievements – when the St Mary’s landed five Ulsters and two All-Irelands – ensures the fire still burns brightly.
“I don’t think Kilcoo have dipped one bit,” he said.
“I am fearful that Kilcoo are even more hungry than what they were last year. I don’t think Kilcoo will be satisfied with winning one All-Ireland – I imagine Kilcoo will want to emulate Burren and get multiple All-Irelands.
“If you were a Kilcoo supporter, you’d be disappointed if they weren’t thinking that. Kilcoo want to better themselves, they set standards very high… they are probably of a higher standard than some counties in Ireland, and that’s not being disrespectful to anyone.”
Yet the loss of legendary manager Mickey Moran, who stepped down in the wake of that All-Ireland success, has led some to question whether the Magpies will be as strong without his guiding hand.
Conleith Gilligan and Richie Thornton, Moran’s right hand men, provide continuity on the managerial front.
However, with the likes of Ceilum Doherty, Ryan Johnston and Dylan Ward only recently returned from America, key men like Paul Devlin, Miceal Rooney and Jerome Johnston nursing injuries, and forward Justin Clarke out for the year with a cruciate injury, preparation for their latest title tilt hasn’t been straightforward.
McBride knows better than most what Moran can bring to a team, having played under him at St Enda’s, Omagh, but insists the Magpies will move on under their new leadership.
“Mickey Moran was my master for five years in Omagh and what I have learnt as a PE teacher and as a coach, a lot of it came from his philosophy and the manner in which he dealt with stuff,” said the former Tyrone forward, who can call upon Down forward Barry O’Hagan, Ross Carr, Paddy Branagan and John Boden after their return from America in recent weeks.
“It doesn’t surprise me the affection in which he was held in Kilcoo. That was in Omagh, Carrickmore, Slaughtneil, Donegal… anywhere that man goes, he has the Midas touch. Don’t be fooled, he’s also ruthless, but everybody just wants to play for Mickey Moran.
“I was the same, and I know the people in Carrickmore – where I live now – rave about him. It’s amazing he maintained his enthusiasm for so long, but you move on.
“Tyrone moved on after Mickey Harte, Feargal [Logan] and Brian [Dooher] took it to a different level again and won the All-Ireland. You take the baton and you move on.
“It’s a tough ask in the first round of the championship but one thing I’ve learned is that Clonduff aren’t one bit afraid of Kilcoo. They’re ahead, and it’s for everybody else to catch them.”
