Ulster Club SFC final: Martin Corey says Kilcoo as hungry as ever before Scotstown decider

With 13 Down titles over the past 14 years, one may get the impression that success can be taken for granted in Kilcoo, but current manager Martin Corey insists there is a sense they “have left a lot behind them” beyond their county boundary.

The Magpies claimed Ulster titles in 2019 and 2021, going on to reach the All-Ireland final on both occasions and winning the latter.

However, there have been four provincial final defeats in the run that began in 2012, including last year’s one-point reverse to Errigal Ciaran which has left the Mourne side as hungry for success as ever.

Corey, who stepped into the role in April after stepping away from a coaching role with Meath, feels he and his players are kindred spirits when it comes to the game and they will enter Saturday’s Ulster final against Scotstown in Armagh’s Athletic Grounds [18:15 GMT] determined to make up for recent disappointments.

“It’s great when you go to a club like Kilcoo and see how much they love the game,” he told BBC Sport NI.

“They are just as invested in it as I am, so it’s been brilliant working with them.

“We are lucky we have that pool of players that have done well in their county and have their All-Ireland [2022], but there is that feeling they have left a lot behind them.

“The Kilcoo players are always looking to improve and that is something very enticing for me as a manager.”