'The harder you work, the luckier you get' - Preparation key to getting over the line for Branagan and Kilcoo 

Branagan has noticed the difference this season as All-Ireland title holders, in terms of the ferocity of their challengers.

THE BENCHMARK: Aaron Branagan of Kilcoo. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

An hour from retaining the AIB Ulster SFC crown, it's easy to forget that Kilcoo were only a penalty kick away from being stripped of their county, provincial and All-Ireland titles in September.

Not that Aaron Branagan, one of five brothers in the squad, was overly concerned when Clonduff were on the brink of a famous Down SFC quarter-final win.