Morgan Fuels Down SFC final
St Mary’s, Burren 0-4 Eoghan Rua, Kilcoo 1-10
KILCOO boss Karl Lacey dismissed “bizarre” stories linking him with the vacant Derry senior football manager’s job, insisting that he is fully focused on the now six-in-a-row Down champions.
Former Donegal star Lacey’s name is the latest to be associated with the Oak Leafers, who are still searching for a successor to Mickey Harte after just one season in charge for the Tyrone legend, with the Ballygawley man leaving the post on July 8.
The Irish News understands that Mark Doran remains the most likely candidate for the Oak Leaf role, especially after his Slaughtneil side lost out in the Derry SFC semi-finals.
Ironically, the Longstone man saw his team again beaten by Glen, who are managed by new Tyrone boss Malachy O’Rourke – a man Derry had approached in the past to take charge of their senior footballers.
Doran left Owenbeg without speaking to the media after their defeat to reigning Derry, Ulster, and All-Ireland champions Glen of Maghera.
Lacey was happy to speak after Kilcoo saw off rivals Burren by 1-10 to 0-4 to retain the Down SFC crown in Newry, but dismissed the Derry speculation, saying: “There’s absolutely no truth in that. I haven’t engaged in any conversation with Derry GAA.
“I just find it bizarre. My full focus is with Kilcoo, and that group [of players] know that. All my energy, all my commitment, all my dedication, everything, is just with this group at this moment in time.
“I haven’t engaged in any conversation about any inter-county job.”
Asked if there remains the possibility of him linking up with Derry – who will meet his native county Donegal in the Ulster SFC preliminary round next year – Lavey responded:
“The future at the moment is the next four weeks with Kilcoo, and that’s the only thing in my mind at this moment in time.”
Lacey was content with Kilcoo’s performance against Burren. While acknowledging that they could have done better in attack, their goal only coming at the very last from joint-captain Darryl Branagan, he was pleased with how they largely controlled the contest:
“You’re always chasing perfection, you’re always looking for a high level – and we demand that among ourselves – but we’re just happy, and the boys are delighted and grateful that they’ve got another medal in the pocket.”
Burren had Down players Danny Magill and Liam Kerr sent off in the closing stages, both receiving second cards after earlier bookings as their frustration spilled over, and Lacey was satisfied with the discipline displayed by Kilcoo:
“You know the rivalry between the two clubs, so it was important for us that we kept emotion controlled, that we didn’t get caught up in the occasion.
“We didn’t get caught up in how many county titles it was, or the past and the history between us – it was just all focussed on what we want to do, the work-rate and intensity we want to bring to the game.
“I think we did well when you look at how Burren carried on in certain aspects of the game. We played to the letter of the law and stayed with 15 men on the pitch, which was important.”
The most impressive aspect of Kilcoo’s display was their overall defensive effort, restricting Burren to just one point from play, a reward for pre-match planning and great games from their backs:
“We just had to make sure that our match-ups were right and, looking back on it, we’re probably satisfied that a lot was right. A lot of boxes were ticked.”
Kilcoo now await the winners of next weekend’s Cavan final between Crosserlough and Ramor United. Lacey was adamant they never looked beyond Down, and celebrations will come first:
“We’ll enjoy our time together now, have a bit of fun, and when we get back in we’ll start focussing then on what’s ahead – and we’re excited about that.”
