Red-hot Nemo determined to make it third time lucky

By Mark Gallagher

Lips were licked at the prospect of the Nemo and Crossmolina midfield challenging each other.

There are differences, of course. Two years ago, Nemo Rangers were unbackable favourites. They had been in the All-Ireland final six times. And never lost.

That record was shattered by the belief of Crossmolina and further sullied by Ballinderry last year. Even though, the Mayo men showed the perils of discounting them in 2001, Nemo Rangers again enter this game as scorching-hot favourites.

This isn't solely based on the belief that they can't lose three finals in a row. Nemo have been at their most focused and a brief hiccup against Kilmurry in the early stages was followed by a saunter through the province.

Most impressive, however, was their complete domination of Errigal Ciaran.

That game did a lot to dispel the one-man team myth. While Corkery was his usual influential self, it was the likes of Steven O'Brien (playing like he did a decade ago) and Niall Geary that set the foundations for victory.

Indeed, midfielder Kevin Cahill believes Geary's performance was the base for the win.

"A key factor in our victory over Errigal was the excellent job Niall Geary did on Peter Canavan. To hold a player of Canavan's ability to one point from play was a marvellous achievement."

Geary's display did catch the eye, but so did the way Nemo laboured for each other. Their work-rate was immense. If an Errigal forward slipped one defender, he found another one in his path. It was the sign of a team who believes this has to be their year.

"We were happy with the way we played against Errigal Ciaran, but I still we need to improve by 20-30% for the final," Cahill says. "We know how strong Crossmolina are, they have shown that with their consistency over the past few years."

It is a sentiment shared by Nemo right-half-back Gary Murphy. "This is everything for us at the moment; the whole club is focused on this. Our panel of thirty players, Billy, all the selectors, there's so much commitment and effort in getting this far, especially three years on the trot, you're so close then it's gone. The big challenge after losing in the final for the last two years is trying to get the defeat out of your head, get focused on winning this one.

"That took a while, a good couple of months for me, but then it became a huge driving force, it's a big motivating factor for me this year."

Consistency is the watch-word with Crossmolina this season. There are still rare flashes of brilliance from the likes of McDonald, but they have barely set the world alight in progressing to the final, they only managed a four-point victory over the British representatives St Brendans in the quarter-final.

John Maughan readily accepts the team will have to perform better.

"Our half-back line is the only part of the team to perform consistently," Maughan feels. "The team were left in no doubt, after the Dunshaughlin game, that they will have to perform for the full game if they want to defeat Nemo.

"But, I have little doubt that they can. I can see the same will to win in the players that won them the All-Ireland. They have had a fantastic attitude, commitment and work ethic all year."

On paper, Crossmolina look to have slightly more quality with the Nallen brothers, Michael Moyles and McDonald.

But, Nemo can match Crossmolina in the experience stakes. Aside from Corkery, Joe Kavanagh is still to have a truly big game this year.

Is he saving it for the biggest stage? While both sides have strived to downplay Corkery's contribution to Nemo, you can't escape how much depends on him.

Last time out, Tom Nallen curbed his mercurial talent. Nallen will have to do a similar job this afternoon if Crossmolina are to win.

Of course, the equally redoubtable McDonald will attract the bulk of Nemo's attention, but in the past, that has worked against Crossmolina's opponents.

In their endeavours to curb his influence, teams have left other forwards loose to do damage and in the likes of Moyles, Joe Keane and Liam Moffatt, the Mayo side have forwards to do damage.

However, there is a feeling this has to be Nemo's year. Their work-rate, their commitment, their focus, it has all been about getting back to Croker.

It may hinge on Corkery's white-clad feet, although the supporting cast of Kavanagh and Alan Cronin provide valuable industry, and Cronin's link play has been most impressive this year. You can't see them losing again.