Killygordon side Red Hughs are on the brink of Ulster Club Junior Football Championship glory tonight as they face Limavady Wolfhounds from Co Derry at Celtic Park, Derry (7.00pm).
Red Hugh’s have got the better of Con Magee’s, Antrim and Emyvale, Monaghan on their way to Saturday night’s Championship decider.
An impressive 3-8 to 0-8 on the road over the Antrim champions in the quarter-finals had them set for a tough fixture against the favourites Emyvale in the semi-final.
After being three points down going into the final period of the game, Seosamh MacCeallabhuí’s side fought back to beat the Monaghan champions 1-13 to 0-12.
In beating a strongly fancied Emyvale that had charted an impressive course to the Monaghan title, Red Hughs proved there and then that they have title-winning credentials.
On tonight opposition, MacCeallabhuí said: “They are a good football side, what else is there to say really? They are Ulster Champions the same as ourselves, they haven’t lost a game all year, they are an excellent football team.”
With Red Hughs one game away, on the verge, from lifting an Ulster title, MacCeallabhuí admitted he couldn’t put it into words if his side bring glory back to Killygordon.
“I wouldn’t be able to answer that question for about three months, it all happens so fast,” he said. ” We were not expected to beat Emyvale and were are not taking Limavady for granted.
“We’ll look back in time and see this as an incredible football achievement, but it won’t be any use if we don’t put in a full performance tonight, we need to leave everything behind on that field.”
The Wolfhounds will enter the contest full of confidence, however, a dark cloud may lapse over the camp this evening as they prepare to lose Callum Brown to the AFL.
However, for Brown, who has been magnificent for Derry at an under-age level this year, his swan-song for Limavady may push him on to kick-start the North Derry sides certain challenge.
Charging victories over Teconnaught (2-09 to 0-11) in Owenbeg and Aghadrumsee (1-13 to 1-09) in Omagh has turned many heads across the province.
Despite Brown’s influence, this Limavady side are far from being a one-trick pony. Oisin Hartin, Richard King and Ruairi Hasson have shown their capabilities frequently, while Brandon O’Brien’s goal-scoring exploits have propelled him as a key figure for Dominic Woods consistent outfit.
However, with Red Hughs lead scorer Calvin Bradley usually deciding games with his scoring effort this year, the Limavady defence will need to be at the top of their game as the two clubs from neighbouring counties do battle tonight.
Tags: