Scotstown and Rockcorry will be bidding for AIB Ulster Club Football Championship titles in Sunday’s double-header at the Athletic Grounds.
AIB Ulster Club Senior Football Championship Final
Scotstown v Crossmaglen, Sunday, 3.30, Armagh
Scotstown contest their first Ulster Club SFC Final since 1989 against ten-time winners Crossmaglen on Sunday.
Scotstown, who have a storied past in this competition dating back to the 1970s and ‘80s, followed a second county title in three years by dethroning defending champions Slaughtneil, before edging out Trillick in the semi-finals.
Crossmaglen, who powered their way to a 19th Armagh SFC in 20 years with a big win over Armagh Harps, were too strong for Cargin of Antrim in their Ulster quarter-final. That set up a renewal of rivalries with Kilcoo, who were fancied after winning a fourth consecutive Down championship and hammering Kingscourt. Cross neutered the Kilcoo attack, however, restricting them to just eight points over the hour as they laid the foundations for victory with a strong start to the second half in Newry.
Cross, who are managed by legendary former players Oisín McConville and John McEntee, have a star-studded team from captain Paul Hearty through to Kyle Carragher at corner-forward and also featuring the likes of Aaron, Tony and Stephen Kernan, Aaron Cunningham, James Morgan, Johnny Hanratty, Martin Aherne and Oisín O’Neill. The return of mercurial attacker Jamie Clarke adds another dangerous option for Cross, with big midfielder David McKenna also in the running after missing the last two games as they seek to continue their unbeaten record in provincial finals.
Darren Hughes has been in devastating form at full-forward, scoring 3-6 from play in two games, with Conor McCarthy and Orin Heaphey also in form up front. Francis Caulfield and James Turley make up a strong midfield pairing, while Rory Beggan is a solid last line of defence behind the likes of Dónal Morgan and Damien McArdle. A cracking game is in store, with Scotstown trying to become the first Monaghan winner of the Séamus McFerran Cup since Castleblayney in 1991.
AIB Ulster Club Junior Football Championship Final
Rockcorry v Faughanvale, Sunday, 1.30, Armagh
Before that, Rockcorry contest the Ulster JFC Final against Faughanvale of Derry.
Having beaten Blackhill in the Monaghan junior final at the second attempt, Rock have seen off Coa of Fermanagh and Down side Glasdrumman, who were on a winning run of 25 games, to reach this final. Faughanvale, who also needed a replay to win their county final, have come through a competitive run to Sunday’s clash, getting past Brackaville (Tyrone) and Templeport (Cavan). The Derry side have made a habit of finishing games strongly, as they scored the last four points of their quarter-final to edge through and they hit 2-5 (to just 0-2 in response) in the closing 20 minutes last time out.
Niall McKeown, Mark and Stephen McGuirk, Mark Thornton, Mark Daly, Noel Carroll and Fergal McGeough are key players for Rock, who will have Martin Carroll available again after suspension for their bid to keep Monaghan clubs at the forefront in this competition. Kevin Martin, player-manager Joe Gray, Eunan Murray, Martin McGuinness, Odhrán McKinney and Eoin McElhinney are among the main men for Faughanvale.
By cshalvey Sat 28th Nov
