Clonduff coach Poland expecting stern test against Edendork

Burren's Steven Fagan and Senan Carr of Clonduff contest possession during the Down SFC final ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

Clonduff coach Mark Poland knows the Down champions face a stern test when they take on Tyrone counterparts Edendork in the Ulster club SFC opener on Saturday (6.15pm).

Edendork created history last weekend by claiming their first-ever Tyrone SFC title, and Poland believes the achievement will have given their opponents a huge lift ahead of the provincial campaign.

Under the management of Gearoid Adams, Clonduff are also celebrating a landmark success, having captured their first Frank O’Hare Cup in 26 years, meaning Saturday's meeting will bring together two sides riding high after memorable county campaigns.

Former Down star Poland is particularly conscious of the quality within the Edendork ranks, but insists his own side will remain focused on their strengths rather than becoming distracted by the opposition.

“Look I know every Gaelic football supporter would have been thrilled for Edendork watching the final last week. They won their first senior Championship. I tried as a player for 20-odd years to win the first Championship for my club and I would have known how much that would have meant to my community and my parish,” he is quoted saying by BelfastLive.co.uk.

“To see Clonduff winning their first in 26 years, it is every Clonduff player’s first Championship medal so it may as well be their first ever Championship in that regard.

“We'll be approaching the game like we approach our other five Championship games in that we'll be firmly focussing on what we bring to the table ourselves.

“Obviously, they have key threats and they have household names throughout their team and they're coming off winning their first Championship. They're going to be walking on cloud nine and no Down team can underestimate any team coming out of Tyrone that’s for sure.”