KILCOO GO BACK TO GRIND

KILCOO manager Martin Corey says that the working class mentality is a key ingredient in his teams success over the years.

The Magpies are a win away from a Down club record of seven senior titles in a row and an incredible 12 out of the last 13 finals, but those aren’t the statistics that interest Corey.

On Sunday, they face a big, powerful Carryduff in what promises to be an explosive finale between arguably the best two teams in the county.

Not unlike the seasons before, Kilcoo have battled through this Championship, grinding out narrow wins, especially against Loughinisland and that nail-biting semi-final win over Clonduff.

“And that's obviously a hallmark of Kilcoo for as long as I can remember this group,” said Corey.

“And that's not something that happens by accident. It's intangible, I know. But what is it that makes that kind of thing happen?

“Well, I think it's twofold. People don't understand, but there's good teams in Down. And when Kilcoo probably develop as they had over the years, the other clubs are developing too.

“They're getting better. They have a high standard. They may not have won the championship, but they're still at a good level. And they're probably pushing Kilcoo hard. That's what happens because they want the success. So, I would say that's a bit twofold.

“And I do think the other side of it, the second one, is that they're just a working class mentality people around here. They work really hard. That's the mentality of them. So, it's something that they probably had as a life skill growing up. And they've just brought it to their sport. And they're just playing with it now.

“They're going out, and they're not giving in. They're not giving up. But that's testament, too, to the quality of opposition that they're playing. The one thing you always associate with who Kilcoo is the work ethic.

“We might not be playing well at times and we might not be pleasing in the eye. We'd love to be winning by three or four points or five, but it's just not the case at the minute. But we're working hard and we can see that and we can see the add-ons and that's pleasing for us.”

Kilcoo’s reign in Down won’t last forever, but this group of players are on a mission and retaining the Frank O’Hare Cup is the first step in where this team wants to go, if course that comes with its own pressures, not that the Kilcoo boss is feeling it.

As I keep saying, you can't think like that,” said Corey.

“You're thinking of the next training, next game.

“That's the way you have to be thinking because you can’t get blinded then. If you're worried about the outcome all the time, you're not going to make any inroads. We'll just focus on the next training and try to make it as good as we possibly can.

“And that leads into the next training and leads to another. And then, please God, you have enough done there and the right work done. You can then give a good account of yourself at the final. And that's our approach.”

Kilcoo were beaten Ulster finalists last season, in a game they probably should have won, but with Errigal exiting the Tyrone championship, first time winners going to be crowned in Armagh, they will be expected to be in the mix this season again, although Carryduff will just as tough if not better than some of the teams that will come out of other counties.

Carryduff possess many physically big and strong players such as county’s James Guinness, Daniel Guinness and John McGeough, while Eion Donnelly and Owen McCabe are tall in stature too.

“Finnian Moriarty's been there. I think this could be his third year. He's done a good job. They're in better shape than they were a couple of years ago,” said Corey.

“They're very physical. And not only that, but they’re also very tactically an all-round the team now. So, they're going in the right direction. So yeah, they're quite big.

“Another big team that we're going to have to try to navigate our way through. Hopefully, we can get our preparations right and give a good account of ourselves.”

MORGAN FUELS DOWN SENIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Sunday (October 19) at 3.30pm in Newry’s Pairc Esler. - Referee: Colm Gribben.

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