Rivalry renewed as Dublin debutants face Gaeltacht

THE buntings are in abundance in Blanchardstown this week. The home town club, St Brigid's, are heading to Thurles on Sunday for an AIB All-Ireland club SFC semi-final appointment with the mighty Gaeltacht.

The Kerry/Dublin rivalry adds another dimension to what is a remarkable story of two clubs heading into virgin territory. Both have high profile names in their ranks, with the Munster men boasting members of the Ó Sé clan and county skipper Dara Ó Cinnéide, while Brigid's have the talents of Declan Darcy, Peadar Andrews and Fermanagh duo Rory and Raymond Gallagher.

"It was a marvellous achievement for them to win Munster. I understand there are only a thousand people in the area. You have got to admire what they have done,'' Brigid's boss Paddy Clarke admits of his opponents, as if downplaying his own achievements.