Kilcoo v Derrygonnelly: Aaron Branagan says ref row has had no effect on Magpies squad

Kilcoo lifted their 11th Down title in 12 seasons by beating Burren despite all the controversy that arose as a result of their appeal against referee Paul Faloon's appointment for the game

Aaron Branagan says the refereeing controversy that surrounded the Down Football Final had no effect on the Kilcoo players then or indeed since.

The Kilcoo club appealed against the appointment of referee Paul Faloon for the Down decider against Burren.

Kilcoo's appeal failed but Brian Higgins refereed the game following a saga and the Magpies won 2-12 to 0-9.

Asked if the row impacted on the squad, Branagan, one of five brothers in the squad, replied: "No, not necessarily.

"I don't really do social media and none of my brothers really do so it wasn't really being chatted about thank God, there's enough going on at the house."

The day after the Down decider, the county's GAA board released a lengthy statement which said that inter-county referee Faloon's appointment "should have been respected".

Kilcoo appeal was 'entirely baseless' - Down

The statement added the Kilcoo club had launched their appeal "on the grounds of perceived bias" which the county described as "entirely baseless".

Down subsequently asked the GAA to conduct a review into the controversy and the county says Croke Park has agreed to undertake this.

However, while the saga is still being adjudicated on, Aaron Branagan insists that it has not preoccupied the Kilcoo players in any way.

Asked for an insight into the club's decision to appeal against Faloon's appointment, Branagan told BBC Sport NI that he "wouldn't be the man to ask".

"I was rehabbing for the last few weeks leading into it [the final], so it's nothing I would know. It would be something I couldn't even answer because I wouldn't know."

Branagan also claimed that it hasn't been a topic of conversation between him and his brothers.

"The boys have enough to think about with sheep and I have two wee boys under two so our time is well enough taken up.

"We've enough to do when you're playing your football and you're training hard. It's not for us to think about."

Aaron Branagan's goal helped Kilcoo edge out Derrygonnelly in a tight Ulster Club semi-final in 2019 but the Down side hammered the Fermanagh men in the provincial final two seasons later

Kilcoo landed the Ulster and All-Ireland titles two seasons ago and first into the fray in this year's provincial championship on Sunday as they face old rivals Derrygonnelly in the preliminary round at Brewster Park.

The Magpies edged out the Fermanagh side 1-8 to 0-9 in the 2019 semi-final and after the competition was not played in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Kilcoo hammered Derrygonnelly 3-10 to 0-3 in the provincial decider the following year before going on to dramatically beat Kilmacud Crokes to claim All-Ireland title a few weeks later.

"We're probably well used to each other at this stage," added Branagan.

"The first game was a real good battle and we probably were well prepared for the second one so we know in the third one they will be probably be as well prepared as we were for the second game."

Despite Kilcoo having already reached the summit of club football, Branagan insists that Kilcoo's "main goal" this year was winning an 11th Down title in 12 seasons.

"I know that might sound cliched but that's genuinely what we set as our target to do."

Branagan lauds 'amazing' Lacey

With Conleith Gilligan having stepped down as manager following his one year in charge after taking over from All-Ireland winning boss Mickey Moran, former Donegal star Karl Lacey is now in charge of the Magpies.

"He's a fellow that we all looked up to and he brought through that same professionalism that he had as a player to us now. It's been amazing so far," said Branagan of Lacey.

Derrygonnelly will be without influential midfielder Stephen McGullion, who was ruled out for the rest of the season after breaking an ankle in the Fermanagh semi-final win over Kinawley.

Despite his absence, Derrygonnelly defeated Erne Gaels 2-8 to 0-9 in the Fermanagh decider to set up a renewal of hostilities with the Down champions.

"We know the battle Kilcoo are going to bring and we're going to have to try and bring something different," said McGullion's brother Shane, who will line out at Brewster Park on Sunday.

"Really try and put them into areas that they are not comfortable with and try different things. We'll stick to the game plan that we set out and hopefully it will get us over the line."