Patrick Kelly: Let's hope neither Nemo or Castlehaven sacrifice their front-foot intent

FINAL INTENT: Marc Sheehan, Cork County Chairperson, and Harry Canning, Bon Secours Cork Hospital Manager welcomed Briain Murphy of Nemo Rangers and Rory Maguire of Castlehaven to Páirc Uí Chaoimh as they face each other on Sunday October 29th in this years Bon Secours Cork Premiere Senior Football Final at 3pm.

Nemo Rangers versus Castlehaven feels like a final that has happened more than on three previous occasions. 

Such is the dominance of the Trabeg side since the early 70s and the West Cork club being omnipresent at senior since the late 1970s, this has the feel of an age-old and much vaunted West Cork v Cork City rivalry. It is ten years since the Haven’s last title, with Nemo gaining revenge for that loss in 2015. Nemo and the Barrs have shared every title since 2016, the Haven falling narrowly short in so many of those years. It feels tempting to suggest this is their year, Nemo in finals tend to prove otherwise.

A strange conclusion when analysing Nemo is that their defence is now more impressive than their attack. With Paul Kerrigan again likely to be held in reserve until the final quarter, Nemo will operate with a six-man forward line with only two out-and-out forwards in Luke Connolly and Mark Cronin. The other four, all very capable footballers and able to chip in on the scoreboard, epitomise the modern forward. The three Horgans and Oran McElligot will be crucial on transition play as they retreat to allow Nemo a plus-one but also carry ball and run beyond Cronin and Connolly to create scoring opportunities. No doubt they will also be given specific jobs to track the powerful runs from deep of Rory Maguire, Damien Cahalane and Mark Collins.

Defensively, this is a very settled and well-organised Nemo unit. Watching the Duhallow game back, the way they applied pressure on the ball around the middle while ensuring they have a plus-one in the danger zone is impressive. The experienced Stephen Cronin and youngster Colin Molloy were excellent in dropping off their men from the opposite wing and clogging up the D. This will be essential against Castlehaven as man markers Kevin O’Donovan, Briain Murphy and Kieran Histon will likely have their hands full with the Hurley brothers and Jack Cahalane. It was O’Donovan Nemo turned to last year when facing Stephen Sherlock in the final; after Michael Hurley stole the show in the semi-final the question is who suits who? Brian Hurley would normally attract the opposition’s best man marker. What Hurley has over Sherlock is his physical strength and ability to drive at defenders one one-on-one. Nemo might look to the greater strength and stature of Histon or Murphy to counter Hurley’s bullishness. Regardless of the matchups Nemo’s sound defensive structure should mean they are able to limit the one-v-one situations the Haven dangermen thrive in.

Midfield is shaping up to be a great battle where both sides will look to gain a physical edge. Alan O’Donovan has long been established as one of the best club midfielders in Cork and is often the one who sets the tone in terms of physicality for Nemo. Barry Cripps alongside him has usually been tasked with quelling the running threat of Ian Maguire and Mark Collins in previous big games. The repositioning of Mark Collins to wing back for the Haven means they will likely line up with Conor Cahalane and Andrew Whelton at midfield. While Conor doesn’t get the same recognition as his brothers due to his sole focus on hurling at intercounty level, he has turned into a fantastic club midfielder with an engine and drive to match anyone.

Interestingly, the Haven generally conceded the Barrs kickouts and began their press on the 45-metre line. Presumably this was a recognition of the previous midfield dominance the Barrs have enjoyed against them and the springboard it has given them to implement their running game. In the semi-final, the Haven stayed compact and allowed Mark Collins or Damien Cahalane to drop off as their plus-one sweeping in front of Stephen Sherlock as play developed. Nemo on the other hand tend to press every kickout if they can. They will know Castlehaven custodian Darragh Cahalane is playing in his first major final between the sticks and I’d be surprised if Nemo don’t look to rattle him early with an aggressive press and force him to kick long to a contest.

A recent study of Gaelic football at inter-county level has shown that on average there are 3.2 handpasses for every kick pass. Thankfully this Sunday’s final features two teams whose first preference will always be to move the ball quickly out of defence with the foot. They both also feature forwards with an eye for a pass and more importantly the willingness to try low-percentage passes to create goal-scoring opportunities. The question is; will either or both sides sacrifice their attacking intent to ensure defensive stability? I hope not, but the threat of Connolly, Cronin and the Hurley brothers will certainly cause both to consider additional cover.

Last year, I like many others, read too much into semi-final performances and thought Nemo would be toppled by the Barrs in the decider. Nemo did what they do best and that is perform in a final. The destination of Andy Scannell for the winter is expected to be known by five o’clock on Sunday evening. However, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if we’re made to wait another fortnight.