Ulster to the Four

The most maligned football province will provide half of the weekend’s Championship quarter-finalists. How come, asks Mark Gallagher.

PETER McGinnity is enjoying this summer and not only because Fermanagh are beating the big boys. McGinnity is more pleased that his native county are one of four Ulster representatives in this weekend’s footballing festival.

“Every year, Ulster football is knocked from the moment the first ball is thrown in ‘til the last kick in the Ulster final,” says the former Erne great turned analyst for BBC television. “It is great to be in a position to defend Ulster football this year, great to be the cream of the crop because every other year, you feel backed into a corner defending Ulster football.”