Harte hails 'freshness' of new county champions

Madden's Mark Harte and Newbridge's Gary Hetherington are both aware of the demands of the Ulster Club Championship

Madden joint-manager Mark Harte feels clubs who have made the breakthrough this year have added a "freshness" as the Armagh champions fix their gaze on Sunday's Ulster Club SFC quarter-final against Newbridge (Athletic Grounds, 15:30 GMT).

Alongside Adrian O'Donnell, Harte helped guide the Raparees to their first ever county senior title on the same day Loughmacrory made the breakthrough in Tyrone.

Throughout the provinces, there have been long gaps without success bridged, while just two of the eight teams remaining teams in Ulster - Kilcoo and Scotstown - have claimed provincial glory.

However, the Tyrone native doesn't believe the traditional powers will be away for long and making the most of the opportunities is crucial for those clubs in uncharted territory.

"Clubs have their seasons and cycles. The traditionally strong clubs will always be there. They may rebuild for a while, but always come back. Every so often, the GAA has a wonderful way of throwing up a curve ball and I think we all love that," he told BBC Sport NI.

"For new names to appear, (it) adds a freshness and gives other clubs belief.

"This is new territory for a number of clubs including Madden, so we just have to be aware of that in terms of planning and preparation. You want to give your best and if you don't prepare properly, you won't be able to do that."

'Madden will be another huge test' - Hetherington

Their opponents on Sunday, Newbridge, have already taken a step forward this year with a preliminary round victory over Dunloy.

The Derry champions lost out to Armagh's Clann Eireann in the quarter-final last year, after they had ended a 35-year gap without their county title.

There is a little more familiarity with the terrain in Ulster this year and following Saturday's hard-fought win over Antrim's representatives, manager Gary Hetherington said he anticipates another test in Armagh.

"They'll be fresh and waiting for us, no doubt sitting here tonight watching us," said the Newbridge boss.

"We had a glimpse of them in the Armagh final and watched them last year. I know the two boys in charge (Harte and O'Donnell), know what a good team they'll be, how well drilled and coached they will be, so it's a massive test, but where else would you want to be?

"In Ulster Championship, there's not many times there's more then three or four points in any game."