Kilcoo have a track record to rival any club in Ireland in recent seasons.
They have been utterly dominant in Down over the last decade, winning ten of the last 11 senior county titles. It took some time for them to assert themselves on the provincial stage, although they have now won the last two editions of the competition in 2019 and 2021.
Their crowning achievement came earlier this year as they were crowned as All-Ireland champions for the first time, defeating Kilmacud Crokes in the final.
While that was the culmination of a long journey, the club are now very much back in the rough and tumble of Down club football at the moment.
A couple of weeks ahead of championship getting underway in the county, Kilcoo were involved in a league final against Burren during the week.
Burren would actually run out as 1-12 to 0-7 winners in that one, with both sides finishing with 12 men after what a fairly feisty affair.
Kilcoo and Burren involved in nasty brawl
The game seemed to be a rather tame one up until the latter stages, at which point a mass brawl involving both sets of players set the game alight.
There was an initial bit of 'argy bargy' as described by the commentary team, with both sets of players becoming involved. Just as things began to settle down and the officials began to discuss the incident, all hell broke loose.
Kilcoo's Jerome Johnston seemed to strike out at an opponent, which launched a major altercation, with a number of strikes thrown from players on both sides as things got out of hand.
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At one point, the commentators were concerned that the game was going to be abandoned:
The match officials are keeping a close eye from a distance on what's happening. There's Burren men getting treated, there's photographers scattered to make sure they don't get involved.
This game is going to get abandoned.
According to the Irish News, Kilcoo trio of Jerome Johnston, Ryan Johnston, and Sean Og McCusker would all see red, as would Burren players Odhran Murdock, Danny and Ryan Magill.
Both teams would be forced to finish the game with 12 men, with Burren running out as comfortable winners in the end.
Of course, these red cards could now have an impact on the championship campaign of both clubs as the offending players potentially face suspensions for their part in the brawl.
Hardly ideal preparation.
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