Big stage experience may tell for Saints
Clare and Antrim are traditionally bystanders on big football days in Croke Park and it’s an astonishing feat that the club champions from both counties have reached this stage. There are previous cases to draw on of clubs from lowly counties making waves in this grade though, with Baltinglass of Wicklow winning in 1990 and Carlow’s Éire Óg contenders in the 90s.
St Gall’s are the Ulster representatives in this game but their opponents have been tagged as devoted disciplines of the northern province style of play.
Kilmurry-Ibrickane’s work ethic all over the pitch is reflected in the paltry totals they concede with an average of just six points scored against them in their last four games.
But their semi-final against Portlaoise showed they can play expansive football, with two quality sharpshooters in Michael O’Dwyer and Noel Downes. Coupled with the strong foothold Enda Coughlan and Peter O’Dwyer give them around the centre, and the experience of Odhran O’Dwyer off the bench, Kilmurry-Ibrickane have a real chance here.
The Clare side will view this as a golden opportunity rather than a day in the spotlight, but St Gall’s are similarly ambitious. They’re still smarting from the 2006 final defeat to Salthill-Knocknacarra and they look stronger and bolder four years on.
Aodhán Gallagher is immense in midfield, Rory Gallagher and Kevin Niblock are key men in attack while CJ McGourty’s scoring ability is undoubted. Kilmurry-Ibrickane are going to need Mark Killeen and Martin McMahon to be as resolute at the back as they were against Portlaoise.
The explosive start they enjoyed in that semi-final was central to Kilmurry-Ibrickane’s success, but it’s hard to see St Gall’s being torn apart in the manner of the Laois champions. The experience of the occasion from 2006 is of incalculable worth to St Gall’s and that weapon in their arsenal can see them just edge out their opponents.
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