Clubs chasing Croker dream
Galway are represented in both codes with city side St Michael’s attempting to keep the Intermediate football title in the west following the success of Moycullen last year while Cappataggle compete in the hurling equivalent.
“Our neighbours Moycullen won it last year and Caherlistrane got to the All-Ireland final two years before that so the standard is very strong in Galway,” said St Michael’s captain Greg Rogan.
“We knew if we got out of the county that we had a chance of getting here. We were 14/1 outsiders for Galway. We won the first round after extra-time, lost the second round and pushed on through the back door. It’s gone nicely since.”
Cork will be attempting a hurling double with Blarney facing Cappataggle in the Intermediate game on Sunday and Dripsey challenging Tullogher Rosbercon of Kilkenny just four short years on from the club’s formation.
Dripsey are being managed by Cork selector John Keane who delivered two Intermediate All-Irelands with the county and they have navigated a comfortable passage through to this final since emerging from their own championship.
As with any Cork-Kilkenny final however, Sunday should prove to be a much closer affair as Tullogher were defeated finalists in the two county championships prior to this year and their conquerors both went on to claim All-Ireland honours.
“The club was known for football in Kilkenny back in the 50s and 60s but hurling has just taken over in hurling in the last 20 or 30 years,” said Tullogher’s Pat Hartley. “We still play a bit of football but the hurling is everything these days.”
Kerry’s attention is, predictably, concentrated on the football where St Michael’s Foilmore meet their Galway namesakes. Skellig Rangers will be hoping to prevent Liverpool’s John Mitchell’s from claiming a first football club All-Ireland for Britain.
Most of the players featuring over the course of the two days will be togging out at Croke Park for the first time and dealing with the majesty of the surroundings will be a vital factor in determining the outcomes of the four games.
Kieran Granfield of St Michael’s Foilmore said: “You approach it as a normal match. You can’t really focus on the venue. If you don’t focus on the match you could be in trouble.
“I’ve had a walk on the pitch and it doesn’t look too daunting. Under lights might be a bit different, I suppose.”
Both Cork and Kerry have been well represented in these finals in recent years and Skellig Rangers will be hoping to succeed the Rebel county’s Canovee as Junior champions.
“It is a big stage,” said Portmagee skipper Steven Sullivan. “You would need to be confident coming up because the Kerry clubs have done well up there the last few years.
“Junior is very strong in Kerry and it is an aim most clubs would have at the start of the year: if you win in Kerry you would be thinking about Croke Park. It’s a big day for us.”
Saturday
AIB GAA All-Ireland JFC final: John Mitchells (Lancashire) v Skellig Rangers (Kerry), Croke Park, 6pm
AIB GAA All-Ireland IFC final: St Michael’s (Galway) v St Michael’s Foilmore (Kerry), Croke Park, 7.45pm
Sunday
AIB GAA All-Ireland JHC final: Dripsey (Cork) v Tullogher Rosbercon (Kilkenny), Croke Park 2pm
AIB GAA All-Ireland IHC final: Blarney (Cork) v Cappataggle (Galway), Croke Park, 3.45pm
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
