Fourth time lucky for New Oak?

They’ve been knocking on the door for the last three years, but New Oak are yet to reach the promised land of a Leinster final. In 2022, they were denied by a late late extra-time winner in the semi-finals against North End, in 2023, they were beaten in the Quarter-Finals by eventual winners, Trim Celtic and last year will be a match that the Paupish will want to forget as they lost 3-1 to Wexford Bohs, going went into the game missing three key players in their first choice centre-backs, David O’Shea and Owen McCormack as well as Lee Walker due to suspension. They’ve been so close but haven’t been able to get past the semi-final.

Standing in their way this year of a first Leinster final is Tallaght United, who put out the reigning champions, Lucan in the Quarter-Final, in Dublin on Saturday. The visitors are in a far better position this year than they were this time last year though, the only player suspended is Kyle Foley whilst David Doyle is cup tied and they’ve rotated their squad several times throughout the season so the players that are coming in have all had ample game time this season and are able to slot in as required. They are also in a good run of form, recovering from a small blip in the middle of the season to beat North End and Jobstown en route to the semi-final and they ruthlessly dispatched long term rivals, Crettyard in the Premier Cup on the weekend.

But can they finally break that seal and qualify for a Leinster final? Form would suggest they have every chance, Dean Kelly will undoubtedly be key, whilst Lee Walker has been excellent since returning to the squad having missed the majority of the season to go and play for Carlow’s footballers, and they’ve been solid at the back lately too. However, the lack of a recognised striker may come back to haunt them, Jordan Harmon is likely to lead the line for them in a fake 9 role.

It required a magic goal from Cian Dowling to get them over the line in the game against Jobstown and you’d imagine they’ll need another moment of magic to get over Tallaght, but that’s what this New Oak team does best, they come up with magic moments in cups when their backs are against the wall, and find a way to win no matter what. The fact that the game is being played on astroturf though will suit the side from the Burrin Road who like to play their football. Tallaght will be dangerous though, having lost just one game in the LSL Major 1 Saturday all season, and are still in contention to win the league. Paddy Power has New Oak as favourites, backing them at 3/1 compared to Tallaght’s 6/5. With a final against Evergreen of Kilkenny awaiting the winners in the final, there’s everything to play for. New Oak will have bad memories of Leinster semi-finals and that psychological mind block may be tricky to overcome, but Gavin Dowling’s side will be full of motivation as they try to reach their first Leinster final at the fourth time of asking.

There’s no reason why the Paupish can’t get there though. They’ve been knocking on the door for the last number of years, they took out the juggernaut that is North End, who are in an FAI Junior Cup final, they beat Jobstown on their own patch, Tallaght will themselves know that New Oak are an outfit to be feared and it ought to be an intriguing game between the two sides.

Tallaght United vs New Oak- 12pm, SDFL Astro, Dublin