Green and red flags set to fly as Suncroft and Milltown set up novel Intermediate final 

Suncroft continue to be the story of the Kildare GAA club season after booking their place in the National Wholesaler Intermediate Football Championship final for the first time since 2007 with an epic semi-final victory over Grangenolvin.

They entered the championship as the lowest-ranked team based on this year's league standings after failing to secure promotion from Division 4. At odds of 100/1 before a ball was kicked, most observers felt the only final they were likely to contest was a relegation decider.

Instead, they have been one of the revelations of the season and completed their remarkable run to the county final with a dramatic 3-17 to 0-25 victory after extra-time.

Two goals from Conn Kehoe, just a week after he struck four for Moorefield in the Intermediate Hurling Championship, along with another from Eoin Magee, helped Suncroft into a commanding 3-8 to 0-5 half-time lead and seemingly put them on course for a comfortable win.

The 'Croft added the first two points of the second half to stretch their advantage, but Grangenolvin, inspired by an outstanding display from midfielder Conall Bergin, mounted a stunning comeback. Bergin finished with ten points and was the man who kicked the equaliser at the end of normal time to leave it 3-11 to 0-20.

There was more drama in extra-time, with Fionn Dowling scoring what ultimately proved to be the winning point. Suncroft still had to survive one final scare but a long-range free from Fionn Bergin fell just short and the 'Croft held on for a famous victory.

The final will be a sea of green and red because Suncroft's opponents will be Milltown.

Having fallen at the semi-final stage in each of the last two years, Johnny Donnelly's side made no mistake at the third attempt as they defeated Rathangan by 4-14 to 1-16.

Milltown have been on a remarkable journey themselves. They climbed through the divisions in successive years to play Division 1 football for the first time in the club's history this season and were desperately unfortunate to suffer relegation by the narrowest of margins.

After winning the Kildare and Leinster Junior titles in 2023, they reached the last four in their first two years back at intermediate level.

Now they are preparing for their first Intermediate final since losing to Sallins in 1977 and are chasing a first title in the grade since defeating Rathangan in the 1972 decider.

They will start as favourites after another impressive display in this year's semi-final.

Alan Dignam starred with 2-2, while Conor Sheerin and Paddy Donoghue also found the net.

It promises to be a novel final pairing, but one thing is certain: green and red flags will be flying in celebration when the final whistle sounds.