ODHRAN McLarnon says Creggan Kickham’s will have to play their “best football of the season” to overcome Erin’s Own Cargin in the Antrim senior football semi-finals.
In a repeat of last year’s semi-final meeting, scheduled for the weekend of September 24/25 at Dunsilly, Creggan recorded a brilliant victory over their neighbours and went on to beat St Mary’s Aghagallon in the decider, winning their first senior championship in 67 years.
Cargin will be still smarting from last year’s semi-final loss to the Kickhams which ended their three-year monopoly on the championship and it also proved to be Damian Cassidy’s last match in charge.
Assistant boss Ronan Devlin was promoted to the hot-seat at Cargin and last Friday night they posted one of the most impressive displays in this year’s championship series by seeing off Lamh Dhearg.
Given the treacherous conditions at St Enda’s last Sunday, Creggan were equally impressive in how they overcame O’Donovan Rossa in their quarter-final.
“Creggan and Cargin have become very accustomed to each other over the last few years,” said McLarnon.
“I watched the Cargin-Lamh Dhearg game on Friday night and I thought Cargin were very impressive. They have been the benchmark in Antrim football over previous years and we know our performance levels so far won’t be enough to beat Cargin in two weeks’ time but we’ll prepare and it’s a game to really look forward to.
“Cargin are like ourselves. They’re bringing young players through and they still have their seasoned players. They’re adding to their squad and improving. They were very comfortable and assured against Lamh Dhearg, so I’ve no doubt we’re going to have to play the best football of our season and I’m sure that’s something Cargin will be wanting to do as well.”
Both sides appear to be peaking at the right time while Portglenone and Aghagallon, who compete in the other semi-final, will be happy more attention will be on Cargin and Creggan’s meeting.
Creggan, who were crowned Division One league champions earlier in the season, have been something of a slow burner in this year's championship, drawing two group games against Lamh Dhearg and St John’s and beating St Gall’s.
Rossa was by far their most impressive display to date.
“Whenever the draw was made and we saw the group we were in we were under no illusions that we had to be at a good level. We wouldn’t be best pleased with how we performed in some elements of those games but we got the results, got through to the quarter-final and slowly but surely we’ve been building nicely.
“Being county champions is very much irrelevant to us,” McLarnon added. “It’s not something we talk about; the focus this year has been trying to be a better version of ourselves. Yes, performances have been patchy but we’re in a position now – the semi-final of a championship – which is where we wanted to be.”
Now in his 16th year with the Creggan seniors, McLarnon says last season’s championship triumph was “everything I dreamed of” – but wants to sample that winning feeling again.
“Last year was unbelievable. Once you’ve done that, it’s past now. But it does energise you to go and play with a squad that you have belief in. We’re all very tight, it’s a great club, a great community and you just want to keep driving on, keep improving. Training with these boys three times a week is an absolute joy.”
McLarnon also has absolute faith in the McNulty brothers – Gerard and Thomas – who have continued the good work of former boss Kevin Madden.
“They’re two great fellas who are totally dedicated to improving everybody within our squad, not just as footballers but as people. They are two good men to be involved with and they leave no stone unturned in terms of wanting us to be the best versions of ourselves. We’ve the utmost respect for them and whatever happens, they’ll be forever remembered in Creggan.”
