Charlestown ladies all set for Connaught final showdown
LGFA CONNAUGHT CLUB IFC FINAL preview: By Aiden Henry
CHARLESTOWN ladies Gaelic footballers will be hoping to win a historic first ladies Connaught title when they meet Leitrim champions Kiltubrid in the provincial intermediate final, which will be played in St. Croan’s Park, Ballintubber, Roscommon, on Saturday at 1 p.m.
At the start of the year the goal for this Charlestown team was to win the county intermediate title and move up to senior club level. This was achieved after many memorable victories. Anything after that was always going to be a bonus.
After their county final victory over Louisburgh, they went on to represent their club and county in the Connaught championship. In the semi-final they were pitted against what was regarded as a strong Boyle team, the Roscommon champions. After producing another fine display, they ended up deserving winners and booked a spot in the Connaught final.
On Saturday, they have the opportunity to add another chapter in their historic journey by winning a first ever Connaught championship title.
Judging by what we have seen from them up to now there is no reason why they can’t continue their magnificent winning run.
The one thing that sticks out above all else regarding this Charlestown team is that they are a very balanced side. From one to 15, they are all fine footballers and play as a unit throughout. They work and work for each other all day and have developed into a team that never knows when they are beaten.
To date, they have been asked many serious questions by their opponents and have come up with all the answers.
But we have also seen that they are not a side confined to just 15 players. They have a very strong bench and have plenty of quality players to call on if needed.
However, playing the Leitrim champions in the final, Charlestown will not be taking their opponents lightly. Indeed, word from the camp is that Charlestown are more than aware that nothing less than a top class performance will be good enough to beat Kiltubrid.
The Charlestown squad and management are right to acknowledge that they will face a real team in the final.
I think if anyone had any doubt about the quality of this Kiltubrid side before their away Connaught semi-final clash with Galway champions Oranmore Maree, that doubt was erased at the end of that contest after the Leitrim side produced a masterclass performance and come away with a 6-8 to 1-11 victory. If you beat a Galway team in the Connaught club championship, you have to be more than good.
But it should come as no great surprise to see Kiltubrid doing so well in the intermediate club championship. They were involved in the Leitrim senior club championship and did very well.
Indeed, they just lost by a single point, 3-5 to 0-14, against the eventual champions, Glencar/Manorhamilton. We saw how the Mayo senior champions, Burrishoole, had to pull out all the stops before beating Glencar/Manorhamilton in the senior Connaught club semi-final by three points just over a week ago.
After finishing second in the Leitrim championship table, Kiltubrid then faced the third placed team in the senior B final with the winners going on to represent the county in the intermediate grade. This is the reason why Kiltubrid, although a senior side, are allowed play in the Connaught intermediate grade.
From what we know of them, Kiltubrid are a well balanced team. They have a solid defence, a good midfield pairing and a forward line that are good at converting their chances, especially their full-forward, Michelle Guckian.
Indeed, Guckian is regarded as one of the best No. 14s in the game and will take a lot of minding.
It sets it up for a very interesting and intriguing final. However, if Charlestown can reproduce their best form they have to be in with a great chance of winning this game. While it will be tough, I expect Charlestown will produce the goods and capture the title.
Verdict: Charlestown.