Two Armagh Senior Football Championship titles within four years have not surprisingly led Lurgan side Clann Eireann to switch their focus to the Ulster Club crown.
It was in overcoming their next-door neighbours Clan na Gael by 3-13 to 0-15 in the Armagh decider that Clann Eireann rapped out a sharp message in relation to their future aspirations.
A fourth-minute goal by Emmett Magee sent Clann Eireann on the way, and when Jack Conlon fired in their second, he cemented their 2-06 to 0-06 interval lead.
With Conor Turbitt masterminding a points-scoring blitz – he himself scored 0-08 in all – Clann Eireann sealed an emphatic victory by plundering a third goal from Conor McConville just before the finish.
Shane McPartlan and Stefan Campbell combined to land 11 of the Clan na Gael points between them, but their team wilted in the closing stages.
Man of the Match Turbitt lost no time afterwards in putting things into perspective, however.
“I think we did not represent ourselves well enough as a team over this past couple of years,” he admitted.
“This year, whenever our county team players came back on board, we sort of took it from strength to strength. I am just so delighted because there is a great bond within the set-up.”
Newbridge turned in a stunning performance to edge out Glen by 1-12 to 2-08 in Sunday’s Derry decider and will meet Clann Eireann in the Quarter-Finals of the Ulster Club series.
The Fermanagh SFC Final will go to a replay after Enniskillen Gaels and Erne Gaels finished level at 0-08 each in Sunday’s decider. The winners are due to meet Scotstown in the Quarter-Finals following the latter’s Monaghan Championship Final win by 1-10 to 0-08 over Clontibret on Sunday.
ULSTER CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW
1. Enniskillen Gaels or Erne Gaels v Scotstown
2. Kilcoo v Crosserlough
3. Newbridge v Clann Eireann
4. Cargin v St Eunan’s or Errigal Ciaran
The Semi-Finals will see the winners of Games 1 and 2 meeting each other while the winners from 3 and 4 will contest the other Semi. The Quarter-Final fixtures are expected to be completed by Sunday, November 10.