Key men: Castlebar's Niall Lydon in action against Paul Earley of Ballintubber

My vote goes to ballintubber in a hotlycontested derby

SUNDAY sees the climax of the club football season as Castlebar Mitchels face up to a formidable Ballintubber team in an eagerly awaited county senior football championship final, writes Connaught Telegraph GAA columnist Martin Carney.

For every player, irrespective of whether he has worn the county jersey or not, representing your town or parish in the blue riband event of club football is where he wants to be. Reputations hard-earned in the county colours will count for nothing once these lads cross the white line on Sunday as basic issues of parish pride and love of place will take precedence over everything else.

In the world of the GAA, bragging rights still mean a lot and this west Mayo derby will be hotly contested to the bitter end.

It is no surprise that these neighbours are once again competing in the final. In recent years they have justifiably earned a reputation for consistency.

In the 2010 and 2011 finals, Ballintubber enjoyed victories over Sunday’s opponents. They disappointed the following year in losing to Ballaghaderreen at the final hurdle, while last year the Mitchels won their 28th senior title after a 20-year hiatus. Indeed Mitchels’ subsequent impressive drive to the All- Ireland club final on St. Patrick’s Day was one of the year’s highlights and should act as a source of confidence as they face an in-form Ballintubber.

By steamrolling a team of Knockmore’s pedigree in the semi-final, Ballintubber gave a timely reminder to all of the quality they possess. Inspired by the irrepressible O’Connor brothers, their tally of nine goals, seven in the first half, was an endorsement of excellent approach play, unselfishness and clinical finishing. The teamwork evident, if it can be repeated, would cause massive problems for the Mitchels.

Apart from those already mentioned, it was the guile of Alan Dillon and the contribution of Alan Plunkett, in particular, as well as the all- round effort that is a feature of their every performance, that set Ballintubber apart.

The tone was set in the semi-final from the throw–in by an irrepressible Stephen Broderick and it is in this central area that the game will be won or lost on Sunday.

Yet Mitchels are no slouches in this critical sector. Danny Kirby and Barry Moran, if they find form and stamina, have the power, the skills and the know–how to dominate exchanges. Kirby oozed defiance and determination from the off in the semi-final and Barry Moran knocked over some very good points. Indeed it was the big county man’s dominance over the O’Shea brothers in last year’s decider that was ultimately game-defining and reminding himself of this should inspire.

Jason Gibbons has yet to rediscover the verve and aggression that set him apart in the spring. Ballintubber will hope for a return to form of their captain and were he to excel this would add significantly to the temperature in the middle.

I expect that Tom Cunniffe will be detailed to shadow the in-form Cillian O’Connor and the underrated Donal Newcombe will mark Cillian’s brother, Padraic.

Though he has missed most of the season, I expect a recall for Eoghan O’Reilly and this should, to some extent, offset the loss of Ger McDonagh, the victim of a long-term injury. Whether he or Alan Feeney are detailed to mark Diarmuid O’Connor remains to be seen. The absence of Ger Mac due to an accursed cruciate injury is a big blow to the Mitchels. A players’ player to his fingertips, McDonagh’s unseen heroics will be sorely missed, as will his inspirational on-field presence.

Neil Douglas and Neil Lydon have been to the fore in the Mitchels attack all season and if Richie Feeney can maintain pressure on the Ballintubber half-back line the seeds could be sown for a win.

On current form, even though Castlebar Mitchels recorded a group stage victory over their opponents in Clogher last May, Ballintubber are ranked justifiable favourites. Their key players are playing at the top of their game and, though I cannot see them getting the same freedom and space as that enjoyed in the semi-final, they may still hold the balance of power up-front.

Mitchels need an optimum performance from all, a quicker settling in period than has been the case in some of their recent games, and a consistency for the 60 minutes that has been absent for the most part in this year’s championship.

Verdict: Ballintubber by three points.