Hurling & Camogie

Chrissy McKaigue not surprised Mickey Moran has worked his magic at Kilcoo

Chrissy McKaigue played under Mickey Moran at Slaughtneil for four years - and wasn't at all surprised to see his former mentor continue that success at Down champions Kilcoo. Picture by Sportsfile
Chrissy McKaigue played under Mickey Moran at Slaughtneil for four years - and wasn't at all surprised to see his former mentor continue that success at Down champions Kilcoo. Picture by Sportsfile Chrissy McKaigue played under Mickey Moran at Slaughtneil for four years - and wasn't at all surprised to see his former mentor continue that success at Down champions Kilcoo. Picture by Sportsfile

CHRISSY McKaigue wasn’t surprised to see his one-time mentor Mickey Moran help deliver long-awaited Ulster glory to Kilcoo – and believes the Magpies’ eagerly-anticipated provincial semi-final against Glen will pit the top two teams in the country against each other.

Moran led McKaigue and his Slaughtneil team-mates to four Derry titles and three Ulster crowns during a silverware-laden spell before bringing calling time in 2018.

It shocked some when he pitched up in Kilcoo later that year, the former Derry boss eventually guiding the Magpies to the 2019 Ulster title and taking them all the way to an All-Ireland final.

But McKaigue wasn’t at all surprised to see that where Mickey Moran went, success followed.

“It was a recipe destined for success to be honest with you because Kilcoo, knowing the players, knowing the club, no stone is left unturned,” he said.

“It's not to say that Kilcoo hadn't had their fair share of success before Mickey came either. Winning county championships is not to be sniffed at. I just felt that when Mickey Moran went in he was going to be the secret to unlock what they so desperately desire, which is an Ulster crown.

“So it was no real shock to me when Mickey went in and won it straight off the bat. I think as a dynamic they work very well.”

As defending champions, Kilcoo face a major test of their credentials at the Athletic Grounds on Sunday when they take on a side McKaigue knows all too well – Glen having proved too strong for Slaughtneil in the Derry championship decider.

And the 32-year-old believes it is a shame the pair are meeting at the provincial semi-final stage.

“Over the years Kilcoo have played some unbelievably good teams and I think they're going to be facing a team at the weekend that are going to be as good, if not better, than anything they've faced to date.

“It’s great for Ulster football, great for Derry football having a team like Glen in it. I think it's a wee bit sad in some ways that it's only a provincial semi-final that Glen find themselves in but again that's the nature of Ulster football.

“It wouldn't be outside the realms of possibility that, in another structure, Kilcoo and Glen could be in an All-Ireland final because I think they're two of the best teams in the country. Kilcoo are Ulster champions and, in my opinion, currently Glen look to be the best team in Ulster.

“They're absolutely flying with one of the best managers in the country also, so obviously it stacks up for a very high profile game. I firmly believe they could be classified as number one and two in the country.”