Down boss James McCartan hopes continued success for Kilcoo will eventually filter through to his county side.
While success at club and county doesn't always go hand-in-hand, Burren won two All-Ireland club titles in the late '80s prior to the Mournemen landing the Sam Maguire in 1991 and '94 with McCartan as a key member of the Down squad.
Lavey also annexed the Andy Merrigan Cup in 1991 with Derry going on to win the All-Ireland SFC in 1993 while Crossmaglen won three club titles (1997, 1999 and 2000) before Armagh made their breakthrough to lift the Sam Maguire in 2002.
Kilcoo bid to reach the All-Ireland club final for the second time when they take on Cork and Munster champions St Finbarr's in Saturday's semi-final in O'Moore Park.
That means the Down boss will be without his Kilcoo contingent for at least part of their Allianz Division Two campaign, which gets underway with Saturday evening's trip to Owenbeg to face Derry.
“Obviously everyone puts their club rivalries aside when you’ve a club from Down playing in an Ulster final and an All-Ireland semi-final, they are getting your support," said McCartan.
“Looking back to the last time Down teams were winning All-Irelands, Burren in 1986 and ’88, success (at inter-county level) wasn’t far behind in 1991 and ’94. You are hoping that any success Kilcoo have, other players in Down want to emulate that.
“When Down won the All-Ireland in 1991, Derry and Donegal sat up and decided that they were equally as good as Down and proved that with their All-Ireland wins.
“You are hoping that other clubs in Down will sit up and try and emulate Kilcoo.
"It is going to be difficult to take them on, but you are hoping that the rising tide can improve Down football."
