DOHERTY: HUNGER IN SQUAD THE KEY TO KILCOO SUCCESS

FOR the second successive year, the reigning provincial football winners have all failed to qualify from their respective county Championships.

- By PADDY TIERNEY

Coolera-Strandhill (Connacht), Errigal Ciaran (Ulster), Dr Crokes (Munster) and Cuala (Leinster) are all absent from the provincial stage this autumn.

Defending Tyrone and Ulster champions Errigal Ciaran lost out to Trillick in the semifinals thus ensuring that no team has retained the O'Neill Cup since Carrickmore in 2005.

The Red Hand county crowned a brand new champion in 2025 with Loughmacrory claiming their maiden title at Trillick's expense last month.

Club football in Down couldn't be more contrasting. Kilcoo, All-Ireland winners in 2022, have won the Frank O'Hare Cup for the seventh successive year - their 13th in 14 seasons.