Clash of Maroons makes for an exciting IFC final

At 3pm on Sunday afternoon in Manguard Park, Leixlip and Caragh clash in a novel pairing in the Auld Shebeen Intermediate Football Championship final. Ahead of the big day, Pat Costello spoke to both camps, including the two captains, one of which will be lifting the Hugh Campion trophy at the end of the tie. 

LEIXLIP manager and former player, David Jordan, recognised that it had been a tough few weeks for his players as they worked their way through the usually tough Kildare Intermediate championship with only one week break after the game against Ballyteague in Round 3 but at the same time he was philosophical about the situation.

Speaking at a Photoshoot for the Final at sponsors The Auld Shebeen Bar Athy this week Jordan said, “Sometimes players actually just want a good run, which I suppose, we have six on the bounce so they don't mind playing games when they're winning. It's just to clear up the few knocks that are part and parcel of the hustle and bustle of championship. Fingers crosse all bodies are fit and well for Sunday next, please. God,” Despite a less that convincing League run the Radleigh Park outfit have come good in the Championship where they are unbeaten. “I suppose a winning mentality is brilliant for the lads. Any time questions were asked of us in games and teams have come back at us, we've always found an answer at the key moments of the games,” he opined.

Reflecting on the semi-final victory over Milltown David Jordan said, “It didn't look good at half time, you know. Milltown were very, very impressive. We just found a way to get over the line. It showed great character we'll need an abundance for Sunday next as well.” Jordan, who is not too long out of his playing days himself, sees a lot of experience in his team but also a lot of motivation there as some players come close to the end of their careers. “Those lads just know the end is coming soon and they want every minute to count. They're great lads, they motivate other lads and then the young lads are brilliant as well. You need that exuberance so it's just a nice mix there” he told us.

For captain, Jack Barrett, their top scorer and just six short of Jimmy Hyland for overall championship top scorer, qualification for Sunday’s Final was built on “harsh lessons in the League. We did a bit of a regroup coming into championship. We've been training with 30 lads night in, night out and pushing each other. In training, we've got some A versus B games that have been serious battles so they're going to seriously benefit you on the pitch,” he explained.

He is impressed with Sunday’s opponents, Caragh. “A seriously fast team. I know Ryan Burke and I played a bit with Daragh Swords, he's a serious forward as well. The boys inside they've tracked all over the field and but it's something we’ll prepare well for. I’m looking forward to the test and the battle,” he said.

Looking forward to Sunday David Jordan said, “In 2019, when we were in the final last, I was down there as a supporter and just bringing the family down, and the sense of occasion. We don't experience that too often and it was brilliant for the town. I hope the lads look forward to the week ahead and embrace it,” he told us again. “I'd love for them to have a day to celebrate but it's just to not be playing the occasion as well. There's a game of football to be won,” he added.

“You hear stories of back in the day and it'd be huge (to win)”, Jack Barrett says. It would be massive. Just to give the town a bit of a lift and the club a bit of a buzz. Just to make the people of Leixlip proud is what we want to do. And hopefully by going out on Sunday and getting a win will do that. I'm sure they're proud of us as they are, but getting that win will be as great,” the captain concluded.

Caragh manager Michael Browne is no stranger to county final. The Sarsfields man appeared regularly in the senior final as Sarsfields were at the forefront of Kildare GAA through the early decade of this century. Browne spent years learning under managers, Davy Burke and Padraig Brennan as well as playing with the likes of Brennan, Dermot Earley and Niall Buckley put him in a good place as he manages Caragh to Sunday’s Intermediate Football Championship Final in his first year in charge at the club.

Browne was in sponsors, the Auld Shebeen Bar Athy, along with captain, Dan Lynam, for the Photoshoot for Sunday’s Final just 24 hours after claiming a hard-fought victory over Rathangan in the semi-final. What were his thoughts so soon after that victory we wondered? “Very little at the minute, just getting to grips of what the players have done and trying to get them back right on the field then focus obviously for the weekend. We’re happy enough to be in a final, to be honest. Semi-finals are always hard to win, you just have to win them, and that's it,” he said.

“We kicked a few crucial scores at crucial times to keep the scoreboard ticking over,” was how he reflected on that victory over Rathangan.

Caragh lost to Sallins in the Preliminary Round but then turned the tables on them in the Quarter Final. “We actually played them three times, Michael Browne said. “We played him in the final of the Keogh Cup as well so we got a good look at them going into it. After the Preliminary Round I was happy enough. I thought if we got them again, we might have a chance. They're obviously a good team but we did our homework on them,” the manager told us.

Caragh in the Intermediate Final is a culmination of bringing through young players over the last few years, we suggest? “A lot of work was done before I went near them, this is just my first year with them. I’m lucky that a lot of work was done before that at underage and now in the academy. There are a lot of kids coming through, six minors this year and probably another four or five coming behind them,” he explained. “To be honest with you we probably have to steer them a bit with game plans and all that. But listen to all the work was done before I got there.” Captain Dan Lynam may be young in years but like a number of other players his age on the team he carries a lot of playing experience at club and county level. “We are young, like me, Ryan Burke and Daragh Swords but were nearly considered kind of the older lads now at this stage but we have some of the young lads now coming up,” he said. Playing at club, college and county level must be a challenge, we wondered. “To win with your club is the main thing,” he explains. “Like, it's what you want to do. Even four years ago, my first year senior, when we won the Junior, we just kind of got taste for it; there's no better feeling than winning.” The versatile player, who now lines out at midfield, is happy in that position. “I do feel the most comfortable in midfield, it is where I just kind of know where to be and that but I don't really mind playing anywhere.” The Caragh captain sees Sunday’s opponents, Leixlip, as a very “strong” side. “We played Leixlip a few times in the past few years and I they're very strong. I’m just looking forward to getting to the throw in and all the nerves go away once the game starts, you get stuck in and you forget about everything. It’s just another game of football.” Support from the club and the village of Prosperous has been very good for Michael Browne and his team he says. “It’s really good from the club and supporters. Everyone's backing the players, backing me. Anything I needed it's been really good, really good year. I’ve been taking notes every year and been there to build my own map of how to coach and what works and what doesn't work,” the manager concluded.