Ulster Club SFC LIVE: Updates as Kingscourt Stars, Erne Gaels, Loughmacrory and Kilcoo all fight for a semi-final spot today
Today, two of the Ulster Senior Club Football Championship quarter-finals will take place, with Kingscourt Stars v Erne Gaels and Loughmacrory v Kilcoo taking top billing.
In the first of the quarter-finals, Kingscourt Stars, led by Meath amin man Jordan Morris, will attempt to push for a semi-final place, with the best that the Stars have done in the past being the final in 1987 and ‘90.
They take on Erne Gaels, who are playing in their second consecutive Ulster campaign, with last year’s not going to plan, having underperformed against Monaghan champions Scotstown in the quarter-final stage.
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Declan Bonner’s side will look to put that right and secure a semi-final berth against either debutants Loughmacrory or a crack at title favourites Kilcoo.
Bonner, an All-Ireland winner with Donegal in 1992, will be leaving Belleek after this campaign is over and done with, having taken the helm at Brewster Park with the Fermanagh senior panel.
In the other semi-final, Loughmacrory take on the Magpies of Kilcoo in a bid to cause yet another upset this club season after shocking Trillick in the Tyrone SFC final to claim the O’Neill Cup for the first time.
The first-time Tyrone county champions will have underage star and senior county panel breakthrough forward Eoin McElholm at their disposal, along with a very young and hungry squad.
The amber and black from ‘the Lough’ couldn’t have been handed a tougher tie than Ulster favourites Kilcoo, who have their eyes set on a third provincial crown and, potentially, a second All-Ireland title.
It is a question of youth versus experience in today’s second quarter-final, with Kilcoo’s years at the wheel, including Down manager Conor Laverty’s expertise coming off the bench, and Loughmacrory’s energy and fresh eyes coming into the tournament.
