New system but Nemo Rangers’ old stagers to shine

It took Castlehaven, and many observers, by surprise when Nemo Rangers operated a sweeper in the drawn Cork final last month. Indeed Haven’s selector James McCarthy made a point of mentioning it after the game.

The ploy was used again in the Munster semi-final, where Legion’s James O’Donoghue was given the same attention that was afforded to Brian Hurley, and the results have been convincing.

For a club acclaimed for open, attractive football, Nemo have been able to marry that tradition with operating a horses-for-courses tactic and should Michael Quinlivan move inside, he can expect to receive the same treatment shown to Hurley and O’Donoghue.

Even if he doesn’t, there is that much potential trouble for the Nemo defence, that it would be wise for Steven O’Brien to dedicate some extra cover.

Jason Lonergan, Ian Fahey, and Jack Kennedy are forwards that can make life brutal if given enough of the ball.

Nemo might be a tad cautious in light of not having had a real test since the replay win over Castlehaven. Stradbally were beaten before the teams took to the Fraher Field pitch while a distracted Legion looked more ill-disciplined than anything else in the semi-final.

However, the indications are that David Niblock’s form is just as good as it was in the latter stages of the county championship, while Paul Kerrigan looks incredibly sharp following his International Rules experience.

The pair, along with the likes of Tomás Ó Sé and James Masters — whether he is sprung off the bench or starts — are men who know their way around such occasions. This Nemo side don’t have the air of invincibility that their predecessors had but they show a healthy respect for opponents and more often than not, outwork them. Tomorrow should be no different.

Verdict:

Nemo Rangers