Close contest in store as Cuchulainns seek to break new ground

Preview

Cuchulainns go in as slight favourites to Sunday’s Ulster Club IFC final (Clones, 1pm) but face a formidable challenge in Glenullin of Derry.

The Derrymen, by a quirk of restructuring, have won four out of the last five Intermediate Championships in the county and, like Cuchulainns, have a lot of family ties on their panel.

They are managed by Michael O'Kane, a cousin of All-Star Paddy Bradley, who himself managed the team to the first two championships in this run.

Glenullin have four survivors from their 2007 Senior Championship win, namely Eoin Brennan, brothers John and Dermot O'Kane, and Eunan O'Kane. Interestingly, Liam ‘Baker’ Bradley was manager on that occasion and Kevin Madden, who managed Clonoe against Cuchulainns last time out, was coach.

The three main scorers are the inside three of Conrad Mullen, Donal O'Kane and Ryan McNicholl, the former Derry minor captain.

Neil McNicholl, Derry's senior goalkeeper last year, plays midfield. Eoin Bradley has been coming off the bench, as has another ‘super sub’, Fergal Close.

Niall O'Kane, brother of manager Michael, is solid in goals, with another brother, John, at centre-back.

Glenullin beat Foreglen in the county final, nearly letting that one slip after opening a good lead. They had two straightforward wins in Ulster before pulling it out of the fire against a very good Carrickmacross side in the semi-final.

They will be well aware of Cuchulainns’ strengths. Unusually in the modern game, all six forwards are capable of scoring and do contribute regularly, with the Magee brothers in exceptional form and Evan Doughty comfortable as playmaker or finisher.

At midfield, veteran Adrian Taite has become a real talisman and has been chipping in with big scores, with captain Philip Smyth an important figure in the middle third.

County man Niall Carolan has been outstanding all year and Glenullin will certainly have a plan for him – they may start Bradley and position him close to goal to occupy Carolan, or even man-mark him.

Regardless, the game looks finely poised. Referee is Donegal’s Enda McFeeley.