Martin Corey opens up on dealing with the hype that comes with managing Kilcoo 

The Magpies are bidding for a 13th Down SFC title in 14 years and face Loughinisland in the quarter-final this weekend

It is the oldest cliché in the GAA manager’s vernacular, but Martin Corey insists it is apt when coping with the hype and expectation surrounds one of the biggest jobs in Ulster club football.

Earlier this year both himself and Joe McMahon left their roles as Meath coaches ahead of their Championship opener against Carlow.

A few weeks later, they were confirmed as the new Kilcoo management with Corey appointed as manager with McMahon and ex-Derry boss Paddy Crozier joining a ticket that would put some county set-ups to shame.

They replace Donegal legend Karl Lacey, who stepped down after two years in charge, with the Magpies bidding for a 13th Down SFC title in 14 years.

After a narrow loss to Errigal Ciaran in last season’s Ulster club final, many expect Kilcoo to launch another strong challenge for the Seamus McFerran Cup in winter.

Yet, Corey says such talk is alien to his coaching team and his players and has refined the ‘one game at a time’ motto to ‘one training session’ with Kilcoo.

“That’s not something that’s talked about,” said Corey.

“For us it’s about the next training session. It’s the one thing I’ve learned since I came in here.

“It’s not about the next game, it’s about how can we make the next training session the best. That’s our approach and that’s the way we do it.

“To get everybody fit and on the field for training – that’s the only expectation at the minute.

“It’s good to be involved with Kilcoo, they’re a very hungry outfit and it’s very enjoyable so far.

He added: “To be honest, the only people talking about that is everybody outside Kilcoo.

“The only thing Kilcoo players are talking about is their performance in training, to get themselves ready for the next session and then the next game. That’s the only thing the players talk about.”

The holders coasted to the League title earlier in the season and confirmed their quarter-final berth with back-to-back wins over Bryansford and Clonduff.

They take on Loughinisland in Downpatrick on Saturday and are strongly fancied to progress to the last four.

In their quarter-final win over Clonduff, Corey had the luxury of brining on Jerome and Shealan Johnston, Eugene Branagan and Anthony Morgan.

He feels the new rules suit, not just his team, but every team and has led to more open, high-scoring football.

“I think the new rules suit every team. I think the new rules are brilliant,” stated Corey.

“There’s very little tweaking in them. I think you can see that with with all the games. Every game you see now around the country, you’re never beaten.

“Even six points down with maybe two minutes to go, you could still get three points on the trot – two-pointers, so I think the new rules are brilliant for everybody.

“I think every player feels the same. Any player that’s interviewed around the country they all compliment the new rules, so I’m sure the Kilcoo boys will be echoing the same compliments in relation to that.”