Superior experience should see Nemo through

IT’S hardly a coincidence that Dublin’s comparatively poor football record on the national stage is mirrored by the lack of success of clubs from the capital in the AIB All-Ireland club championship.

If one excludes UCD, twice champions in the mid-seventies with strong inter-provincial representation, and Kilmacud Crokes, it’s remarkable that St Vincents are the only team to win a title. Opponents of Nemo Rangers for the second time in a final in Croke Park next Monday (3.45), they achieved that distinction back in 1976 with a side including current manager Mickey Whelan and, other than going under to Castleisland Desmonds in 1985, they haven’t been back there since.

Contrast that with the success rate of Cork clubs. Apart from Nemo’s phenomenal record of seven wins, St Finbarrs were winners three times and another title was annexed by O’Donovan Rossa. And, as you would expect from a county with such a rich tradition, Kerry clubs have been to the forefront also. Apart from a win by divisional side East Kerry in the first final in 1971, the Andy Merrigan Cup has been captured by Austin Stacks, Laune Rangers, Desmonds and Dr Crokes.