Down SFC Final Preview Part 2: Magpies keep their eyes on the prize aiming for sixth title in a row

Kilcoo are aiming for their sixth consecutive Down Senior Championship title on Sunday at Pairc Esler where they face Burren for the third time in the last four years.

Last year's final against the St Mary's side was marred by controversy before the ball was thrown in, when Kilcoo objected to the appointment of Paul Faloon as referee. While Kilcoo were ultimately unsuccessful, Faloon stepped down and there was doubt as to whether or not the final would go ahead as scheduled right up until the last minute when David Gough was briefly installed before backing out and Brian Higgins eventually coming in to referee the game.

The confusion may or may not have rattled Burren who put in a poor performance on the day, but it certainly didn't seem to phase the Magpies who romped home 2-12 to 0-9 winners.

Kilcoo manager Karl Lacey said it didn't matter if they faced Burren or Carryduff in the final after his side beat Glenn 0-17 to 0-10 in their semi-final seemingly without moving out of second gear.

“They're both top Championship sides,” he said.

Carryduff have probably been the closest to Kilcoo this season in terms of the league, with the Magpies beating Burren heavily in their last league meeting, but Lacey put little stall in that.

“We'll just look after ourselves in our own corner. We have enough to work on and that will be our main focus now,” said Lacey.

The Magpies have won 11 of the last 12 titles and are searching for their twenty-second Frank O'Hare Cup

They have looked comfortable for the most part throughout this year's Championship with a three-point win over Loughinisland in the first round and improving on the scoreboard with a 2-9 to 1-8 victory over Clonduff.

They then beat Mayobridge by 10 points with 11 different scorers – despite being without the injured Ryan McEvoy, with the bench interchangeable as most of the starting 15.

The one area where Lacey has had some concerns is gaps in the defence allowing opponents goal chances which is something he says they’ve been working on rectifying.

​It’s difficult to pick out danger players for Kilcoo, who have men all over the pitch and on the bench with multiple roles.

Apart from the forwards like Jerome Johnston who netted against Clonduff, defender ​Miceal Rooney did likewise and Ryan McEvoy has scored and defended ably. Goalkeeper Niall Kane has been on song from the dead ball, as has veteran Paul Devlin.

Ryan Johnston is on the mend from an ankle injury but it’s had little impact, with 11 different scorers against Mayobridge, including Sean Og McCusker who scored 1-2 off the bench.

Manager Karl Lacey has acknowledged the extent of the panel and the fight for places.

"Everybody’s pushing hard in training, trying to keep everybody honest with a panel of 30 players at any given stage.

“For example, Tiernan Fettes didn't come on the last day and he's played the whole league for us and the first two championship games and he’s been brilliant but with the dynamic of the set-up he didn’t play the last day [against Mayobridge] but he came in today,” said the manager after the semi-final win over Glenn.

“He's fighting for a place like everyone else. Dabs [Daryl] Branagan is no different. Niall Branagan is no different, they’re all equal. It's a great headache to have, the more headaches we have like that the better, and that’s the reality.”

The one area of criticism for Kilcoo is goal chances not taken – albeit the only goal conceded thus far was one by Clonduff’s Stephen McConville. So Burren will have their work cut out for them.