Palataine boss says favourite's tag means nothing going into U21 final
Palatine's Marc Mulhall on the ball during the semi-final win over Mount Leinster Photo: Aisling Hyland
If group form is to be taken literally then Palatine need only turn up and collect the Jimma Rea Cup on Sunday next at The Training Centre.
When the two sides met in their opening group under 21 FC A game, Palatine, were easy winners by 3-15 to 0-7. The holders also accounted for Rathvilly. With the competition changing from under 20 last year to under 21 in 2025, Palatine can call on all the players who already have underage winners’ medals.
Cillian Fitzharris rejects the suggestion that they are fancied to do the two-in-a-row.
“Favouritism means absolutely nothing. It is all about hunger on the day. Our lads were hungry last year and they barely got over the line. In the final it could have gone either way between ourselves and Éire Óg. I don’t expect anything different this time,” the Palatine manager says.
He points out that the group have experienced disappointment so nothing will be taken for granted.
“Our lads are hungry. They are certainly not complacent. We came up short in the senior. A lot of these lads are involved with the senior and were disappointed. The panel had disappointment with the minors so there is a hunger with this squad. They have worked hard. They have done exactly what was asked of them. They have put in the effort. We will be ready on the day and will take nothing for granted. We are driven by hunger and favouritism means nothing to us. We respect everyone we play,” the Palatine spokesman confirms.
Alan Kelly has done a tremendous job with Ballon at all levels over the last two years. They have come up from junior A and almost won an intermediate title this year only being edged out by Grange. A junior C final win also eluded them this year but they were worthy winners over Éire Óg in the under 21 semi-final. They had to find themselves when they lost their opening game in the group.
“Palatine beat us well in the first round. They are the team to beat. They are very strong,” says Kelly.
Ballon showed tremendous heart by coming through against the Teach Asca side last Sunday. They got a fright at the end and their opponents almost snatched a draw. Kelly is aware of this.
"We led at eight points at one stage and it could have been more maybe if we had held onto the ball a bit better. When they came at us, they were hard to stop.” He has reservations about when the under 21 championship should be run off. He feels it should not be played so near to Christmas but accepts it for what it is.
“At this time of year it probably doesn’t suit but it is the same for both teams and the same for everyone in the competition. The weather was better last Sunday. We played Palatine on a dirty night so we were happy to play in better weather. Hopefully next Sunday, the weather will be better,” Kelly says.
He has huge respect for the Bennekerry side.
“Palatine have seven to eight seniors. They have experience,” the Ballon manager points out.
Ballon’s Jimmie and Martin Carroll were missing last Sunday. Kelly says they could be available now.
“There could be a couple of more lads back who were missing last Sunday. Even if they are not back, we are happy with what we fielded today and will be delighted to have a crack at it.” No matter what the individual managers might say, Palatine have to be fancied on Sunday. They swept aside the challenge of a good Mount Leinster Rangers in their last four game. Ballon looked really good at times but it has to be a worry they didn’t see out the final stages more convincingly against Éire Óg.
It is hard to see anything but a Palatine win.
Palatine.
