What price a Down provincial double!

After Ballygalgets magnificent achievement in winning the Ulster Club SH title – defeating Antrim champions, Cushendall in Casement Park, Belfast – to win their third Ulster club title the focus now goes on the current football champions, Mayobridge who commence their campaign on Sunday in Newry with a meeting with the Donegal title-holders, Glenties.

This is the season that many followers of GAA in the Mourne county feel that their champions, Mayobridge could make the breakthrough at provincial level. Since 1999, they won the Down SFC title for the first time in 81 years, and since then they have dominated domestic championship football, winning five of the last seven titles on offer.

They have a full-strength experienced side going into their quarter-final clash with Glenties this Sunday, and while they are playing at home on this occasion, still don’t underestimate the challenge of this youthful Naomh Conaill side who caused a major upset in Donegal championship football after defeating a fancied St. Eunan’s, Letterkenny side after a replay. In both these games the talented Glenties side showed they could battle and compete against top sides, and no doubt will look forward to the Mayobridge challenge on Sunday.

Mickey Linden the Mayobridge player-manager feels that his side are well equipped this season to make a major impact in the provincial club competition. They have the experience of losing a semi-final last season to Crossmaglen Rangers, but are shrewd enough not to overstate their ambitions and take one game at a time. He is expecting a tough test from the Glenties side, who according to reports have a very talented and young side. They will be coming to Pairc Esler on Sunday with no real pressure on them and going for a win. “We just be prepared for them, and not be relying on one or two players to dig us out of a hole. If we play to our capabilities and go about our business in a proper manner there is no reason why we can’t expect to come away with the win,’’ he added.