Result could depend which Drumsurn shows up

A LOOK at Sunday evening's scoreline from Craigbane and you'd almost instantly write Drumsurn off.

But while scorelines never really lie, and nor did Sunday's 5-22 to 0-04 defeat, it certainly wasn't a reflection of the true Drumsurn side that we've seen this year.

The fact is that it wasn't the real Drumsurn team at all. They don't have massive numbers to choose from. but boys having to leave the country to work has hit them hard. At the weekend, they were without a staggering 18 players for one reason or another.

They will all be home for this one though. Because, while their league performances have seen a lot of improvement this season, and while that may have been a priority at the start of the year, their eyes have now become transfixed on the Sheridan, Bateson and Lee Cup

One result might have changed it all for them. Beating Foreglen in the last round seemed to come out of nowhere, but it was proof of what they can do when they get a full side out.

Every team in the land has their injuries and absentees but Drumsurn have a bare squad that can't cope with losing key individuals. With their first fifteen on the field, they can be a match for anyone. When they have to scratch beneath that surface they struggle.

But the team which played Craigbane on Sunday will bear absolutely no resemblance to the team that will line out here. While there is always a level of uncertainty about the availability of a handful of their players, they should be able to field near full strength.

And full strength has seen the return of Stephen Harbinson between the posts. Brothers Cahir and Daryl Mullan man the centre of defence, while Damien Canning and Mickey Coli have been the preferred midfield for years.

While it was the return of Ciaran Mullan that brought optimism at the start of the year, it has in fact been the performances of Pierce McNickle at fullforward that have brought results. 2-02 from play against Foreglen, they couldn't deal with him. He was the instigator of everything against Sean Dolan's the round previous.

Their attacking shape varies. Chris Harbinson, better known as 'Jack', has been starting in the corner of late but often pulls out. At times, Ciaran Mullan will go in alongside McNickle. Other times, they'll use the pace of Cahir Friel close to goal, though finishing has not been his strongest suit and he is oft better employed using his searing pace by running from deep as a creator.

There is unquestionably plenty for Ballymaguigan to worry about. Having come through the front door, they were always going to come into this game as favourites but such has been their patchiness that you wouldn't 'have labelled them as runaway winners against any of the four prospective opponents they could have faced.

Not runaway winners, but you would have labelled them as semi-finalists. There is definitely something different about the St. Trea's side come championship. Sometimes league form isonly a guide but that doesn't even seem to apply with the 'Quigan. Their league form over the last four years has been average. Their championship form, bar a poor quarterfinal last year, has been second to none.

Here they find themselves back in the last eight again. Shouldn't really be a surprise, though they were written off by many when Gary Coleman hung up the boots. They miss him, as any side would, but still they rack up good tallies on a consistent basis.

They continue with the Papa Expertment. Ciaran 'Papa' McIvor starts wearing 14 these days, but in their second round win over Slaughtmanus, it was when they pulled him out into a free role that he began to dictate. He finished with three invaluable points and one real plus from that game was they got eight points from play from sources outside top scorer Sean Brady, whose 1-02 came from a penalty and two frees.

Every time you write them off, they prove you wrong. The smart money would be on them winning this one too. What they have in their defence is youth and pace. Brothers Step hen and Brendan Henry, and Patsy Bateson, have played plenty of championship football, but they are young and fresh. Gary Mulholland and Jimmy Cassidy have made 5 and 7 their own. Anyone who doesn't know of the talents of Tony Walls at full-back doesn't know much about this level of football.

And perhaps their defensive ability might get them through this one. Walls will give Pierce McNickle the kind of examination he hasn't had on this run. Brendan Henry will do the same to Ciaran Mullan. Those two battles could decide the outcome.

Andrew McCartney remains Ballymaguigan's engine room in the middle, but teams are able to break even with them in there these days, though having Gerard McIvor to spring from the bench is another little string to their bow.

Drumsurn aren't short of strings, and they have their puppet master Mullan back as well. They're fond of being written off, it keeps them motivated, but Ballymaguigan are permanently motivated for championship football. This is their cup, and this is the 40th anniversary of its existence. They will not need reminded of that. They should win.

Verdict: Ballymaguigan