Intriguing Ulster Club semi-finals down for decision
Rory Beggan's last-gasp free earned Scotstown victory over Kilcoo in last year's provincial quarter-final at Newry
- Published
We've really arrived at the business end of the Ulster Club Football Championship at this weekend's semi-finals stage with the remaining four hopefuls all looking genuine contenders to lift the title.
Kilcoo's clash with Scotstown at the Athletic Grounds on Saturday evening (18:00 GMT) is a repeat of last year's quarter-final when Rory Beggan's last-gasp long-range free secured a dramatic one-point win for the Monaghan champions.
Scotstown had 13 points to spare over Erne Gaels a week ago while 2022 All-Ireland champions Kilcoo needed Conor Laverty's late introduction to help them edge out Crosserlough seven days earlier.
Kilcoo are not dramatically different to their All-Ireland winning side but Scotstown are laden with Monaghan players past and present including key forward Jack McCarron, Beggan, Ryan O'Toole, Conor McCarthy, Shane McCarey and the Hughes brothers Darren and Kieran.
Clann Eireann's contest with Errigal Ciaran on Sunday in Newry (15:15 GMT) also has all the makings of a titanic tussle as the Armagh champions' three All-Ireland Final starters Conor Turbitt, Barry McCambridge and Tiernan Kelly go toe-to-toe with the Canavan brothers Darragh and Ruairi plus the likes of Peter Harte and Joe Oguz.
Errigal Ciaran looked mightily impressing in easily overcoming a Cargin side that proved tough opponents for back-to-back Ulster Champions Glen over the previous two campaigns.
In contrast, Clann Eireann had to come from beyond in the second half to defeat Glen's Derry Final conquerors Newbridge, with the Lurgan men progressing even though McCambridge and Kelly were relatively subdued by their recent high standards.
Turbitt, McCambridge and Kelly will all be involved after returning on Thursday morning from Armagh's team holiday in Miami.
Victory for Clann Eireann would keep the Lurgan outfit on course to become the first club ever to win both the men's and women's Ulster football titles in the same year.
ULSTER CLUB FOOTBALL SEMI-FINALS
Saturday
Kilcoo v Scotstown, Athletic Grounds, 18:00 GMT
Sunday
Clann Eireann v Errigal Ciaran, Pairc Esler, 15:15