GAA: Last four standing aim for Ulster SFC final spot

Kilcoo joint-manager Conleith Gilligan
Author: Gareth McCulloughPublished 24th Nov 2022

The final four sides remaining in the Ulster GAA Senior Club Football Championship return to action this weekend.

Reigning All-Ireland champions, Down lynchpins Kilcoo will be favourites to overcome Fermanagh outfit Enniskillen Gaels at Armagh's Athletic Grounds on Saturday evening.

The following lunchtime, the other side tipped for provincial glory and beyond, Derry's Glen Watty Grahams, will have to dispatch Antrim title-holders Cargin if they want to book their place in the decider.

That match takes place at Omagh's Healy Park.

But. while many will have already put their money on a titanic tussle between Kilcoo and Glen in the final, Enniskillen and Cargin will have other ideas.

Both came through epic penalty shoot-outs in the last eight, with Ronan Devlin's Cargin eventually seeing off Donegal's Naomh Conaill 4-1 on penalties after the sides were deadlock at 1-9 apiece at the full-time and then 2-13 each following extra-time.

Enniskillen, back in the Ulster Championship for the first time since 2006, edged out Cavan's Gowna in an epic encounter at Brewster Park, with a penalty shoot-out required again

By contrast, Kilcoo had a relatively smooth passage into the last four as they comprehensively swept aside Crossmaglen's conquerors Ballybay in Monaghan.

A 2-14 to 1-7 victory for the Magpies caused them little trouble an reasserted their position as the team to beat in Ulster and further into the All-Ireland campaign - if they can reach the provincial final and then retain their title.

The other quarter-final saw a much-hyped Derry v Tyrone showdown between Glen and Errigal Ciaran more than live up to its pre-match billing.

Glen trailed by four at half-time in Celtic Park before producing a sterling comeback to eventually run out 3-10 to 1-12 winners - but not before there was some late drama with Errigal's Eoin Kelly have a late goal ruled out for a square ball.

Cargin boss Ronan Devlin.

It's fair to say that if this weekend's semi-final clashes have even have the drama of the previous rounds, the thousands of fans expected to be present in Armagh and Omagh are in for a treat.

FIXTURES

Saturday November 26th

Ulster GAA Junior Football Championship Final (1.15pm)

At Clones: Drumlane (Cavan) v Stewartstown Harps (Tyrone)

Ulster GAA Senior Football Championship Semi-final (6pm)

At Athletic Grounds: Enniskillen Gaels (Fermanagh) v Kilcoo (Down)

Sunday November 27th

Ulster GAA Intermediate Football Championship Semi-finals

At Crossmaglen (1.15pm): Castlerahan (Cavan) v Corduff (Monaghan)

At Celtic Park (4pm): Dungloe (Donegal) v Galbally Pearses (Tyrone)

Ulster GAA Senior Football Championship Semi-final (1.30pm)

At Healy Park: Cargin v Glen

TICKETS: https://ulster.gaa.ie/tickets/