Intermediate football finals never disappoint
TIME TO DELIVER: Cathal and Tony Lavin will be hoping that Strokestown can get the better of Éire Óg in Sunday's intermediate football championship final. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin
Over the past decade, Roscommon intermediate football championship finals have always delivered in terms of sheer excitement and drama.
Once the runners and riders go to post, the field of expected winners is usually narrow. This year was no exception.
At least, it had more options on the ballot paper than the forthcoming presidential election, with three strong candidates looking for votes.
As the hustings unfolded, Strokestown were showing up nicely, Tulsk were winning without being impressive, and Éire Óg were going about their business with the minimum of fuss.
Then, without warning, Fuerty emerged from the pack to leave Tulsk like Jim Gavin — their campaign in ruins. Tony Brennan’s men followed that up by giving Strokestown a savage contest in the semi-final.
On the other side of the draw, Éire Óg slipped quietly into the decider and are primed for one massive push against the Black and Amber in the hope of ending their recent final heartache.
Everything about this final suggests that it will live up to the expectations of the previous ten finals, which have been dramatic, enthralling, and competitive.
Since Kilmore and Oran went to battle in 2016, we’ve had five drawn deciders, four extra-times, one penalty shootout, a couple of two-point wins and a one-point victory.
Whatever is in the water, Roscommon intermediate football finals have left lasting memories.
The saga began with Kilmore and Oran in 2016 going all the way to extra-time after a replay. In 2017, a late Michael Glaveys push edged out a brave Fuerty.
Twelve months later, Fuerty bounced back to break Oran hearts after another replay was called for.
In 2019, Oran were back in the final for the third time in four years and nothing could have prepared us for what was about to unfold as Tulsk came from ten points down to earn a draw. They were still level in the replay after extra time and so, for the first time ever, a penalty shootout would decide a club championship final in County Roscommon.
For Oran, the cemetery end of Dr. Hyde Park proved fatal. For Tusk, there was sheer delight.
Oran came again in 2020 when we were gripped by Covid. Lo and behold, for the third successive year, we headed for extra time as St. Dominic’s and Billy Donnellan’s men could not be separated.
Finally, the man above let Oran through the gates of heaven as the Mid Roscommon side lifted the Jamesie Murray Cup.
The good wine kept flowing in 2021 as St. Faithleach’s, relegated from senior, were aiming for an immediate return. We should have known better as their battle with St. Dominic’s finished level.
Once more, extra time decided the final, and it was the Knockcroghery-based side’s turn to feel like Oran as Tomás Gilleran’s men lost out for a second successive year. Meanwhile, Wally Burke’s side climbed the mountain on their way to scaling the Connacht summit.
Éire Óg entered the ring in 2022, hoping to leave St. Dominic’s down in the dumps for a third successive year. The hurt of losing two deciders on the bounce got the Blue and White over the line.
In 2023, there was a local derby as Castlerea St. Kevin’s came from nowhere to produce a sensational smash and grab raid to leave Éire Óg shell-shocked, feeling the same pain as Oran and St. Dominic’s experienced in previous years.
A year ago, two former senior powerhouses collided in the final as Elphin and Strokestown were busting a gut to make the return journey. On a wet and miserable afternoon, Elphin left their neighbours feeling second best.
What will happen when Éire Óg and Strokestown meet next Sunday? History tells us it will be tight.
It’s a case of high stakes in Kiltoom on Sunday as Strokestown and Éire Óg wait anxiously in the departures lounge. The plane to take one of them back to next year’s senior football championship is sitting on the tarmac.
Éire Óg have been stopped twice at the security gates in the last three years during their attempt to board the flight. Strokestown suffered a similar fate 12 months ago when Elphin left them stranded.
Both clubs will arrive at the home of St. Brigid’s GAA Club in good health. They are unbeaten in the championship and they have all their documentation in place for passport control.
If Strokestown board the plane, you can take it for granted that Diarmuid McGann will fly the jumbo jet. If Éire Óg are airborne, Conor Cox will be in charge of operations in the cockpit.
Éire Óg started their journey with a convincing nine-point win over Fuerty, while it took a brilliant Shane McGinley two-pointer for Strokestown to edge out the same opposition in the semi-final.
But Fuerty improved dramatically during the middle part of the voyage, taking out Tulsk in the quarter-final.
Three years ago, Strokestown were travelling first class when they were crowned senior football champions. They still have plenty of passengers from that triumph on board.
Éire Óg have been flying with low fares airlines since winning their last intermediate title in 1993. Over the past four years, however, they have developed into a solid, cohesive and resolute outfit.
Losing a third final in four years would be a bitter pill to swallow. Their flight may just be delayed once more.
Verdict: Strokestown
In another other season, Ballinameen would be the talk of the town.
Their exploits in reaching the Junior A final, following thrilling last-ditch wins over Clann na nGael and St. Aidan’s, have been decorated with two-point specials from veteran Dessie Carlos.
This year, the elephant in the Junior A championship is St. Croan’s who have steamrolled every opponent they’ve met. Last season’s relegated intermediate side have been in cruise control in pursuit of a quickfire return to sit the Inter Cert next year.
Ballinameen have heart, passion, resolve, courage and a tasty wine who gets better with age in Dessie Carlos. It’s not a one-man show, however, as David Wynne, Gordon Casey, Eoghan Keaveney, and Finbarr McDermott are fine footballers.
St. Croan’s have excellent performers in every line, especially up front where Kevin Lambert, Aidan Brogan and Conor Kennedy have been shooting the lights out. Michael Holland, Ross Timothy, Kevin Smyth and Adrian Collins bring lifelong experience to the table.
The heart says Ballinameen, but the head says St. Croan’s.
Verdict: St. Croan's
With King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park out of commission, the Roscommon senior football semi-finals were staged at club grounds, which turned out to be wonderful occasions.
Kiltoom and Woodmount rolled out the red carpet to ensure that both high-profile encounters went off brilliantly.
It looked like Storm Amy would derail both games. Thankfully, the weather took a dramatic turn for the better, with both host clubs ensuring that everything was perfect for their visitors.
Defending champions Pádraig Pearses put on a five-star show in the home of St. Brigid’s GAA Club to reach another final, blowing away St. Faithleach's with a very impressive performance.
Twenty-four later in Woodmount, St. Brigid’s eked out a win over Clann na nGael in a brilliant atmosphere.
Club grounds fit the bill perfectly for these games, in my opinion. Supporters are up close and personal to the action.
While players relish playing in the Hyde, the possibility of semi-finals being played at neutral club grounds should be given serious consideration by Roscommon GAA going forward.
There might have been wholesale changes to RTÉ Radio One’s daily schedule last week but my Teaser time slots remained the same.
Can you name the current Roscommon senior club footballer who played championship football for Galway? The answer was Conor Carroll, who plays his club football with St. Brigid’s after playing underage for Galway.
QPR, Frenchpark, was first to hit the airwaves. Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; Lisa Flanagan, Frenchpark; Fr. John McManus, PP Castlerea; Pat Deane, Williamstown; Seán Farrell, Dublin; John Wynne, Kilteevan; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Pat, Sligo; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; PJ Martin, Kiltoom; Bernard Duffy, Longford/Loughglynn and Paddy Duignan, Castlerea, also kept their prime time slots.
This week’s Teaser: Can you name the former Mayo footballer who captained a team from Galway to win a All-Ireland senior football title?
Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s teaser came from London?
Star pupil: Lauren Shanagher who scored 3-7 for Northern Harps during their LGFA Junior A Championship success.
Crucial win for: St. Barry’s who won the LGFA Intermediate Championship against Pádraig Pearses.
Much do better: Defending champions Clann na nGael never got going against a superior St. Brigid’s side in their LGFA Senior Championship final.
Spot of bother: Despite a brave performance in Lisbon and a laboured victory against Armenia, the Republic of Ireland soccer team sit third in their group with only two games remaining.
Weekend highlight: Watching St. Brigid’s senior ladies’ footballer Kate Nolan in action is like watching Phil Coulter playing the piano — polished, immaculate and utter perfection.
What a cracker: If Strokestown and Éire Óg play to their potential, Sunday’s IFC final can take us on a magical football tour of Kiltoom.
“Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going too fast, you also miss the sense of where you’re going and why.”
Big guns Cuala, Glen, Corofin, Errigal Ciaran, and Kilmacud Crokes are out of the All-Ireland Club SFC race.
Another great man departs the scene as Ciaráin Murtagh called time on his Roscommon intercounty career last week.
The St. Faithleach’s forward was one of the most talented footballers to wear the Primrose and Blue.
