On course for a repeat of last season's senior final
Rathvilly and Bagenalstown Gaels are set to do battle in the semi-finals of the Senior Football Championship for a second year in a row. Photo: Pat Ahern
After winning the B junior final last year, Rathvilly would have been considered difficult opponents in the group stages this year but probably would not have been expected to go all the way this season. Brian Murphy and Tony Bolger have been steering them well while they have been releasing so many young players into their systems. In contrast, Leighlinbridge would be a more seasoned group. Charlie Nolan and Aidan Lillis know where the posts are while Cathal Brennan will backbone the Leighlin defence. This will be close. Leighlinbridge cannot leave anything behind them or else they will end up second best.
Without thinking too quickly, one could say this is a derby game but it isn’t really. The two clubs are 13 kilometres apart. What they have in common is they are both relatively isolated from the big footballing communities. Darragh Foley is still massive for Kilbride. Jack Fitzgerald and Daniel Bolger are the scoring threats.
The Cocks looked good against Asca and were worth their eight point win in the quarter-final. Aaron Dowling and Alan Quigley are their main scoring threat.
Ballon have been a revelation in their group games and came through unbeaten. Alan Kelly, the former Rathvilly and Carlow senior player has done a great job with them. Winning the junior A was massive last season but to do what they have done so far this season at a higher level is even better. Shane Duffy, Evan Corr and Fionn McCaffrey are enjoying their football under Kelly.
Under Mount Leinster Rangers man, Willie Hickey, Kildavin-Clonegal are giving their all. Yet Joe Roberts has been their saviour in many of their games. Jake Nolan is a scoring threat and defences know that if they give him an inch he will hurt them. Ballon have more momentum but Kildavin-Clonegal will have learned from Clonmore who were gunning for them coming down the straight. They just left themselves too much to do which should ensure the Wexford based side don’t get complacent.
Ballon have the momentum from the group however.
These two go at it again. They drew in the group stages and don’t be surprised if they need extra-time to decide a winner.
Jack Kennedy continues to be unmarkable at this level and his 1-9 out of 2-21 against Kildavin-Clonegal in the group stages underlines what he brings to the Tullow club. Craig Staunton and Cathal Healy form a solid midfield partnership and the latter, in particular, is hard to stop as he bullies those in front of him.
John Murphy is massive for Grange. Darragh Burrows and Patrick Hickey both scored three points each from play in their win over Éire Óg in the quarter-final. What price the wily 43 year old John Doyle scoring his fourth goal in the championship?
The reigning champions take on a side who, on their day, are a match for anyone. Yet Rathvilly haven’t been fully firing just yet. It took a late Kevin Murphy point to secure a draw against Old Leighlin in the group stages and it was as tight against Éire Óg as well. Padhraig Bolger has been excellent for Rathvilly this year and he has a notion where the opposition posts are too. Conor Doyle continues where he left off last year and with Carlow this season where he rarely has a less than average game. Brendan Murphy is not the player he once was but expect him to show up now that all is at stake.
Bagenalstown Gaels are there or thereabouts but when they needed to show a bit of bite against Tinryland in their final group game they conceded two late points and the game was drawn.
They showed huge bottle against Mount Leinster Rangers in their quarter-final and their lightning start where Oisin Dillon scored two goals were vital. They will have learned something from their late first half lapses where they conceded two goals to Rangers. At midfield, the Gaels have Paddy McDonnell who likes to get forward. He scored three points from play against Rangers.
That game will have done Bagenalstown the power of good but they are up against the holders. It is a big ask.
Palatine v Old Leighlin Netwatch Cullen Park, Sunday, 4.00pm.
Here are two sides on a mission. Palatine lost the county final after a replay last year to Rathvilly. Old Leighlin last won a final back as far as 2013. There is a lot of hurt there.
Old Leighlin have a nice mix in their squad. Cathal Coughlan and Seamus Kinsella are tried and trusted. Aaron Amond and captain, is demonstrating huge leadership qualities and is not afraid to run at or shoot from distance. Ian Atkinson has been colossal this season and the likes of James Dowling is living off them. That is without evening mentioning Sean and Mikey Bambrick and what they bring to their club.
Palatine are similarly endowed. Shane O’Neill, Jamie Kenny, Ciaran Moran and Conor Crowley are leading the way. Brandon Cassidy, Bryan McMahon, Josh Egan and Jack Deacy are future leaders who are not that far from holding those responsibilities yet.
The respective goalkeepers, Steven Scallan and Craig Kearney are potential two-point collectors. Conceding frees inside their own half is not worth it anymore. For either side.
Palatine had no game last Sunday. Could Old Leighlin’s run out against Fenagh without too much stress be a help to them? Possibly Palatine’s drive to atone for 2024 will be the one thing which could divide the sides?
