The senior championship returns this weekend and among the previews in this week’s paper Castlewellan manager Tony Wilson hinted that Kilcoo may have a serious challenger in Burren.
Castlewellan were well beaten by Burren in the last round, 1-26 to 0-5.
Tony added that losing to a team like Burren was demoralising, but it also was educational.
“It was eye-opening for them (Castlewellan players). Some of the players are just out of minor football and they wouldn’t be used to that physicality. I said to the boys on Monday night, ‘If we want to compete at a higher level, then we have to get ourselves ready for that type of opposition.’”
“But it gives us a good insight, that if we want to be in Division One, the sort of shape that we need to get into. Guys might start to think that they need to take it a bit more seriously, and not just three nights per week.”
Tony also thought that Burren’s performance suggested that they are a team that could challenge Kilcoo’s dominance in the county.
“I have to say I was really surprised and really impressed by the size of Burren, and even their mentality. Burren were massive. They have been on weights programmes for eight, nine, ten years, and you can see it in their physique.
“I expected Burren maybe to underestimate us, and maybe not be prepared, but they were prepared. It was a really professional job they did on us. They showed no mercy. They were expected to win based on league standings, but they hit us with everything they had.”
