Down SFC 2005 - Previewed

Posted on 10th Aug 2005 by AMN

The most prestigious of the Down Championships is obviously the Senior Championship. The top sixteen clubs in the county, according to 2004 league placings, compete to be crowned County Champions, a feat Mayobridge have managed three times in the past four seasons.

Obviously Mayobridge will be hot favourites to retain their title and it would take a brave man (or blinkered supporter) to back against them… but it won’t be easy.

Championship football truly is ‘all on the day’ and at this level any team is a capable of putting in a big performance and defeating all comers. But based on recent league & championship form, the challengers to Mayobridge’s crown can roughly be split into three categories – the Contenders, the Hopefuls and the Outsiders. What chance it will pan out this way though?


Current Champions:
Mayobridge are the current champions and in truth they blazed a trail through the 2004 tournament and it was only the awesome power of Crossmaglen that prevented them going on to greater things.

Given that Mickey Walsh and Ronan Sexton are back from injury, they should be more than capable of producing something similar this year, but as Bryansford showed in the 2003 showpiece, they are far from invincible on the day. Still, their favouritism is very justifiable.

The Contenders:
With four current county players bolstering a strong, hugely experienced team, Liatroim are a tough proposition for any team. A seriously committed effort from the Fontenoys could reap some serious rewards. They will need to hit the ground running to beat Clonduff in the first round though.

A fine combination of youth and experience has seen Rostrevor set the early season pace in Division I and it would be foolish to treat them lightly. Their youngsters have the mark and confidence of winners about them.

One of the most consistent sides in the county over the past few years, Kilcoo should now have the experience and ability to become serious contenders. But, although all teams will be wary of them, they have developed something of a reputation for being a good league team rather than a Championship side, and they will have shake off the tough early challenge of neighbours Castlewellan to start changing that opinion.

Despite winning this title just two seasons ago, Bryansford had no senior county panellists this season. That will matter little though as most of their first fifteen have pulled on the red and black at one stage or another and they can unleash a hugely formidable team.

The Hopefuls:
With a very experienced defence and a dangerous forward line Clonduff could go very close, but their recent Championship outings suggest they won’t. In fairness they could point to improved league form this season as reason enough why should be contenders instead of hopefuls.

In recent years Castlewellan have epitomised the phrase ‘flattered to deceive’. PJ O’Hare has had something of a clearout this season though and if anything the new, young, hungry players he has brought in have improved the club. Will be difficult to beat, but perhaps do not have the class up front to go the whole way.

In comparison, the current Shamrocks team do have the class up front, and if they can get their heads up are possibly capable and of finally bringing the Frank O’Hare Cup back to Newry. But so much of their game hinges around the form and fitness of two or three key individuals and it is a big ask of these players to always hit top form, especially in the absence of US bound Damien Rafferty, whose presence will be sorely missed

Possessing one of the quickest teams in the county as well as a couple of the best players in Down not involved in the county set-up, Longstone should never be underestimated. But they have struggled to get anywhere near the business end of the Championship in recent seasons though, which maybe could be put down to inexperience.

The Outsiders:
Despite having a sprinkling of very talented players, Ballyholland probably do not have the strength in depth, or the firepower, to mount a serious Championship challenge this season. Paul Murphy’s defection to Boston for the summer is a serious blow. But with a few aces in the pack, the Harps could yet surprise a few clubs along the way.

League form so far suggests that An Riocht would by punching above their weight if they managed to navigate a course through the Championship. Tables can lie, and the Kingdom have some very decent players, but not enough of them for a serious challenge at this level, and the loss of John Clarke to America will be a bridge too far.

They play Burren in the first round though and whoever wins this clash will welcome the distraction of a Championship run. The St Mary’s side are enduring their worst season in recent memory and although capable of shutting opponents down at one end, they would not appear to have the score-taking ability at the other to rescue their season in the Championship.

It was a remarkable achievement for second division Annaclone to make the Championship final last season, and one that should give all clubs some heart. But although there is a fair bit of talent in this team, a repeat of last season’s feats is extremely unlikely.

Of the other Division II clubs competing, Warrenpoint would seem to be the one best equipped to deliver a shock or two. It is a shame then for the St Peter’s club that they drew Mayobridge in the first round. As a result, only the most demanding of Point men will seriously expect any Championship progress this season.

Atticall are making their first Senior Championship appearance in a number of years and although the possibility of silverware is a very remote one, they will have surely be in high spirits entering their first round fixture against Shamrocks, having beaten the Newry side on a few occasions last season.

That leaves us with Saval who, after being relegated last year, can now be now found floating around the mid-table region in Division II. After losing quite a few key players to retirement and to the US in recent months, any chance they have at all of causing a shock will require something spectacularly good from Danny Hughes.


The Match-Ups:

AN RIOCHT Colours: White & Green County Seniors: Brendan McVeigh, John Clarke Under-21s: Martin Clarke, James Colgan Minors: James Cunningham Key Players: Liam McVeigh, Aidan Flanagan, Paul Murney Manager: Brendan McVeigh SFC Titles: None Recent Championship: S/F 2004, R1 2003	An Riocht vs Burren Both these sides are enduring a rather torrid time of it in league football and although the fate of neither team is secured just yet, it looks likely that at least one of them will not stay up this year. So for both teams the Championship could be viewed as a welcome distraction, or conversely as an unnecessary interruption to any momentum they might be gaining in the league. Despite these travails, the game pitches together three of the brightest young stars in the county - James Colgan and Martin Clarke of the Kingdom and Burren's James McGovern - each of whom is destined for a long county career. But whereas Clarke and Colgan will have much to do by themselves if An Riocht are to keep the scoreboard ticking over, McGovern has the likes of Glen McMahon and Gavan Murdock to turn to and this extra bit of class and experience, combined with a stronger defence, should see Burren through. Verdict: Burren by three.	BURREN Colours: White & Green County Seniors: Sean Ward, Daniel McCartan Under-21s: James McGovern, Eoin McCartan Minors: Kevin McKernan Key Players: Ronan McGovern, Ciaran Byrne, Glen McMahon Manager: John Treanor SFC Titles: 11 Recent Championship: R1 2004, 2003
BRYANSFORD Colours: Green & Yellow County Seniors: None Under-21s: Darragh Neeson, Stephen Toner, Joseph Ireland Minors: Ciaran Brannigan Key Players: Colm Kearney, Andrew Kane, Aidan Shields Manager: Benny Corrigan SFC Titles: 11 Recent Championship: R1 2004, Ch 2003	Bryansford vs Saval Bryansford will have every right to feel confident entering this fixture, but should Saval manage to get together something resembling their first XV, there might not be that much between the sides at the end, as Saval's first choice defence can be quite lean and mean. The key battle though will be at the other end and involves Danny Hughes and Andrew Kane. If Kane can nullify the threat of the Down man, then Saval realistically have no chance. If Hughes is on fire, it will be close. The Ford will also have to keep an eye on the likes of Gavin Quinn and Finbarr McConville, but I fancy that whoever has to pick up Joseph Ireland, Colm Kearney and Shane King may be facing the busier time of it. On paper, a clash between the 2003 Champions and a team now residing in mid-table Division II should not really be a contest…and although Championship football has a habit of turning possible mismatches into potential banana skins, class should prevail when these sides meet on Sunday evening in Hilltown. Verdict: Bryansford by quite a few.	SAVAL Colours: Green & White County Seniors: Danny Hughes Under-21s: Gareth Dobbin, Darren Cunningham Minors: None Key Players: Gavin Quinn, Peter Turley, Stephen Sands Manager: Gerry Quinn SFC Titles: None Recent Championship: R1 2004, 2003
MAYOBRIDGE Colours: Blue & Navy County Seniors: Benny Coulter, Ronan Sexton, Gavin Barry, Mickey Walsh, Brendan Grant Under-21s: Colm Lynchehan Minors: John Caldwell, John McClorey, Seamus Grant, Conor Garvey Key Players: Eoghan Woods, Declan Rooney, John Quinn Manager: Mickey Linden SFC Titles: 6 Recent Championship: Ch 2004, R/U 2003	Warrenpoint vs Mayobridge It should first be pointed out that Warrenpoint are not a poor team by any stretch of the imagination. The likes of Brendan Kearney, Darragh McMeel and Eoin Henry are all tenacious, experienced backs, Kevin Franklin is capable of giving anyone a game at midfield, while Johnny Cowan, John Boyle and Ronan McMahon can keep any defender busy. And although the Point will surely give it a good rattle, it is impossible to envisage anything but a comfortable Mayobridge victory. As a team of star names, bolstered by some very decent club footballers, they cantered to the title last season. With Sexton & Walsh back from injury, Paudie Bradley in from Burren and a host of decent minors coming through, they now also should be able overcome an apparent lack of depth noted in last year's Ulster Championship. Surely the only thing that can stop the Bridge is complacency, with one eye on dates further afield? Verdict: Mayobridge, pulling away.	WARRENPOINT Colours: White & Blue County Seniors: None Under-21s: Eoin Henry Minors: None Key Players: Ciaran Rice, Brendan Kearney, Johnny Cowan, John Boyle Manager: Cathal Murray SFC Titles: 3 Recent Championship: R1 2004, 2003 Odds: 1000/1
CASTLEWELLAN Colours: Green & Black County Seniors: Mickey McVeigh Under-21s: Niall McArdle Minors: Kevin Duffin Key Players: Fintan McGreevy, Stevie Trainor, Ciaran McCabe Manager: PJ O'Hare SFC Titles: 10 Recent Championship: Q/F 2004, S/F 2003	Castlewellan vs Kilcoo A quick glance at the league table places both sides in the upper mid-table positions that they have maintained for most of this season, but Kilcoo have a couple of games in hand that could return them to the top four and, crucially, hold the psychological advantage of winning both fixtures between the teams this year. Still, Castlewellan hold enough aces to ensure it won't be easy and sparks could fly in what should be hotly contested derby match. Ciaran McCabe is still a goal-getter supreme and will face a key battle with Sean O'Hanlon, Damien McGrady is a talented, aggressive player and Fintan McGreevy is well capable of taking the game to Kilcoo. Despite these plusses though, they face a Kilcoo team awash with pace and energy and the likes of Brannigan, Laverty and the Devlins could run their neighbours into the ground, especially if they get their tails up. Verdict: Kilcoo, although they might need a replay.	KILCOO Colours: Black & White County Seniors: Conor Laverty, Aidan Brannigan Under-21s: Niall McEvoy, Martin McClean Minors: None Key Players: Sean O'Hanlon, Anthony Devlin, Noel Devlin Manager: Mickey Heaney SFC Titles: 9 Recent Championship: Q/F 2004, 2003
BALLYHOLLAND Colours: Yellow & Green County Seniors: Ronan Murtagh, Paul Murphy Under-21s: James Patterson Minors: None Key Players: Eugene Campbell, Shane Mulholland, Sean O'Hare Manager: Shane Mulholland SFC Titles: None Recent Championship: R1 2004	Ballyholland vs Longstone After turning over the Harps twice in the league already this season and with a certain amount of conviction when away from home, Longstone will really fancy their chances of progressing to the quarter-finals in this game. In contrast, Ballyholland's bright early season form has dissipated somewhat and they are now staring relegation from the top flight rather closely in the face. Despite this, the Harps are an experienced bunch with enough talent to know that if they can produce their best form, then they can more than match their opponents. This game will hinge on a number of key battles. Principal among them will be the face-off between former county teammates Higgins and Murtagh, a battle that will most likely not be one for the faint-hearted. Whether Murtagh gets enough ball to inflict serious damage will depend largely on the crucial match-up between under-21 midfielders Ambrose Rogers and James Patterson, while Damien McCrink will have his hands full with Barry Doran should Rogers secure enough possession for the Stone. Ultimately Longstone should win, but if Ballyholland come out with all guns blazing, this could be a riveting encounter and could easily produce an upset. Verdict: Longstone after a replay.	LONGSTONE Colours: Red & White County Seniors: Ambrose Rogers Under-21s: Mark Poland, Eamon Quinn Minors: Hugh Magee, Ryan Kelly Key Players: Barry Doran, Mark Doran, Stephen Doran Manager: Hugh Trainor SFC Titles: None Recent Championship: R1 2004, 2003
ATTICALL Colours: Green and White County Seniors: None Under-21s: None Minors: None Key Players: Miceal Sloan, Ollie Sloan, Louis Sloan, Paddy Sloan Manager: Dan Morgan SFC Titles: None Recent Championship: IFC Champions 2003	Atticall vs Newry Shamrocks Another clash between a team going well in the first division and a team who could be doing a whole lot better in the second, and another clash that in theory could be a mismatch. Except that on two of the three occasions these sides met in Division II last season, Atticall came out on top. So despite indifferent league form, the Mournemen will surely enter this tie with a bit of confidence about them. In fact, this could turn out to be one of the most attractive and open ties of the round. The Shamrocks are capable of playing a beautiful brand of football and when on their game can suffocate teams with pace and drive. But Atticall pride themselves on their speed and energy too, and an enthralling battle could ensue. Watch out for how the Atticall backs cope with the movement of Gavin Treanor, Brendan Loughran and co., while at the other end, Ollie and Miceal Sloan are both adept at punishing weaknesses. As in every game, midfield will be the key area and whoever comes out on top between Louis Sloan and Kevin McGuigan could well decide affairs. If not, then it could come down to the golden boots of Shamrock's free-taker supreme, Conor McCoy. Verdict: Shamrocks by three or four.	SHAMROCKS Colours: Green & White County Seniors: Damien Rafferty Under-21s: None Minors: None Key Players: Brendan Loughran, Gareth Loughran, Kevin McGuigan, Gavin Treanor Manager: DJ Kane SFC Titles: 3 Recent Championship: Q/F 2003
ANNACLONE Colours: Red & Green County Seniors: None Under-21s: None Minors: Conor McConville Key Players: Collie Farrell, Gary Byrne, Aidan Fegan, Gerard Fegan Manager: Mark Donegan SFC Titles: None Recent Championship: R/U 2004, Q/F 2003	Rostrevor vs Annaclone Winning the Ulster Minor Championship last season seems to have reinvigorated the seaside club and they are the only Division I team to display any sort of consistent form so far this season. Having a plethora of talented youngsters has given their management team serious options, and a few headaches of the nice sort. In contrast, an injury-blighted season has seen Annaclone just about keep in touch with the promotion pack in Division II. So on paper this should not really be a contest. But Annaclone proved last year that they can be a formidable force in knockout competition, so they should not be ruled out entirely. Watch out for both sets of half-backs, who love to bomb forward and support the play. Verdict: Rostrevor, by five or six.	ROSTREVOR Colours: Red & Black County Seniors: Martin Cole, Sean Farrell Under-21s: None Minors: Conor Mackin, Paddy Mooney, Gerard McCartan, Colm Clerkin, Gary Magee, Eamon McConville Key Players: Dermot Mackin, Conor Daly, Jarlath Austin Manager: Aidan Farrell SFC Titles: 2 Recent Championship: Q/F 2004, S/F 2003
CLONDUFF Colours: Yellow & White County Seniors: Shane Ward, Jason Brown Under-21s: Aidan Carr Minors: None Key Players: Paul Shields, Paudie Matthews, John Fegan Manager: Jim McCorry SFC Titles: 9 Recent Championship: R1 2004, 2003	Tie of the round - Clonduff vs Liatroim This fixture throws up a repeat of the millennium club final and despite that match taking place some five years ago, over twenty of the players who started the game that day are in line to do battle again next Tuesday night in Castlewellan. That in itself means that these are two vastly experienced, battle-hardened sides who know each other inside out and - if current league form is anything to by - would appear to be very evenly matched these days. In the 2000 final, Clonduff came away winners and also won the most recent league meeting by a couple of points, but if anything they should enter this game as slight underdogs. The main reason for this is that Liatroim's county quartet of Doyle, McCrickard, O'Prey and Rice, who were young men on that day, should now be entering their prime as footballers. Throw in recent county panellist Patrick Pearse McCartan, and the Fontenoys really do have a formidable core to their team. But if there is one team in the county that will not be bullied out of it up the middle, it is Clonduff. The likes of Matthews, Shields, McShane, Plunkett McConville and Ward have all served their time in the red and black and although this unit is not quite as pacy these days, they offer genuine central strength and presence. It is therefore plausible to imagine the big men cancelling each other out and if this happens, both teams can call on a couple of flying machines in their forward lines to deliver the goods. Aidan Brown and JP Owens are Liatroim's under-rated twin terrors, while John Fegan and Finbarr McConville are both confident, capable outlets for Clonduff, and both sets of corner-backs will need to be on top of their games. The game will probably hinge though on the key battle between Liam Doyle and Paul Shields. Shields is a tough, aggressive customer who lets nothing past easily, while county captain Doyle is a classy, elegant footballer, who is capable of just about anything. Doyle is the artery that links Liatroim's backs to their forwards and if Shields can keep tabs on him, the Fontenoys will need to have a good back-up plan to stay in the game. Keeping Doyle quiet just isn't that easy though. Verdict: Liatroim, but only just	LIATROIM Colours: Green & White County Seniors: Liam Doyle, Colm McCrickard, Aidan Rice, Aidan O'Prey Under-21s: None Minors: None Key Players: PP McCartan, Donagh O'Higgins, Aidan Brown Manager: Paddy Hardy SFC Titles: 2 Recent Championship: S/F 2004, Q/F 2003

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