Caragh looking to make sure it's their Deay against familiar face

KILDARE clubs sit proudly at the top of the roll of honour for this competition with Allenwood last year becoming the sixth different club from the county to take the trophy. Confey were the trailblazers in 2006 and before Johnny Doyle & co triumphed last year, Maynooth (2009), Ballymore (2010), Monasterevan (2012) and Two Mile House (2018) had followed in their footsteps.

Dublin, on the other hand, have only produced one winner at this grade. That was Fingal Ravens seventeen years ago in 2007.

Allenwood themselves beat Dublin opposition in Scoil Uí Chonaill in last year’s decider, an outstanding second half performance seeing them run out convincing 4-12 to 3-5 winners in Parnell Park, if that’s any form guide.

Naomh Mearnóg were comfortable enough winners of the Dublin Intermediate final back in October, beating Clanna Gael 2-9 to 0-6 with Karl Lynch Bissett, who has played O’Byrne Cup for Dublin, their main man with 2-2 from centre forward.

The Portmarnock side opened their Leinster campaign with fairly low-scoring wins over Dundalk Gaels (0-8 to 0-7) and Crettyard (0-8 to 0-4) before ousting Garrycastle of Westmeath in a more exciting affair by 2-10 to 1-12 in Saturday’s semi-final.

Clane folk will recognise the name of Bernard Deay in the Naomh Mearnóg line-up, their former player contributing a goal and the winning point to the Dublin side’s win on Saturday.

Michael Browne’s side have impressed with their ability to cope with injuries (Dan Lynam, Eoghan O’Haire, Kevin Campbell) as well as possessing a lively and dangerous forward line with threats coming from all angles. Darragh Swords scored 1-6, Jake Corrigan 1-3 and Ronan Doorey 0-4 in Saturday’s win over Fethard St Mogue’s to emphasise that point.

Former Sarsfields player Browne is happy to be getting some of those injuries cleared up with Campbell starting last Saturday while O’Haire came on as a late substitute and kicked three injury times points as Caragh overpowered a strong Wexford outfit.

Lynam, meanwhile, was all lined up to come in during those dramatic closing stages and the substitution was even announced over the PA before Darragh Swords’ rescue act intervened.

“Dan was a last ditch sub to bring him in and stand him on the edge of the square. But we got the goal, and we didn’t need to bring him in,” explained Browne.

Keeping a team at or near their peak over a ten-game campaign (to date) is a challenge, Browne acknowledges.

“We’re getting our injuries back but this time of year it’s a long year, we’re eleven months on the go and you can see lads starting to fade now with injuries. You’re trying to keep them right. You’re trying to bring them up to a peak for a county final and then you’re progressing for another six or seven weeks, it’s hard to keep them up at that level.” For the second time this season, Browne and his panel face a one-week turnaround for a major final, which seems unfair, but it’s a challenge he’s happy to tackle face on.

“It is a bit tight but look, Naomh Mearnóg are in the same boat as us. They didn’t go to extra time so we’ve an extra few minutes in the legs and it was a tough, tough battle. But look, we’ll get them recovered tomorrow and have another couple of sessions during the week and face into Naomh Mearnóg. It’s great to be in it.” In it to win it, we hope.

AIB Leinster Intermediate Football Championship Final back 

Naomh Mearnóg (Dublin) v Caragh, Sunday 1 December, Parnell Park, 1.30pm