Mayo IFC final protagonists see attack as the best form of defence

With the greatest of respect to all other combatants, it's fair to say that the two best teams have qualified for the Egan Jewellers Mayo Intermediate Football Championship final this year, writes Brian Gillespie.

In fact, if both teams play to their potential, the decider – throwing in at 2 p.m. on Sunday (October 19) in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar, as the curtain-raiser to the senior final – could be a game for the ages.

Both teams overcame iffy first-half displays in their semi-finals last Sunday. That was particularly the case for Moy Davitts, who actually trailed Ardnaree by three points at the break in Ballina but put in a storming second half to outscore their opponents by 1-16 to 0-4. Such a devastating display would be difficult for any team to stop.

But Kilmeena are not just any team. Champions two years ago, they were most unlucky to drop down from senior after just 12 months at the top level. They were competitive in the senior grade but just couldn't get over the line in their games.

The disappointment of relegation was put to one side this year, however. Kilmeena have been very impressive en route to the final. On Sunday last, they were three points to the good at half-time against Kiltane and put in a fantastic third quarter to pull away. The concession of two goals in quick succession early in the fourth quarter didn't derail them overly much either as they ended up eight-point winners in the end.

The concession of four goals gave them some homework ahead of the meeting with Moy Davitts. At the other end, however, they are capable of racking up a big score. But so too are Moy Davitts, and the disappointment of losing last year's final to Crossmolina following a replay is sure to be a huge motivating factor for the east Mayo men.

“The objective at the start of the year was to get back into a county final and hopefully right a couple of wrongs from last year," agreed selector Ronan Gilmore. "We have another big step to go. It's been one step at a time the whole way through and we'll see what happens in the final.

"We've been getting to the big stage but we haven't been getting across the line. Kilmeena have gotten across the line, in fairness to them. We just want to get ourselves into the position in the final that we can get across the line, and hopefully get a step or two beyond that as well."

Player Ryan Binley, who is carrying an injury heading into the game, knows the teams can deliver a great game. “I'd say it will be cagey enough to start with," he said, "but they are two free-flowing teams when they get going so hopefully it will be an entertaining game to watch."

He added: "It makes training easier when you have a county final to look forward to. It brings a buzz to training. It makes it all worthwhile. We are looking to build on the experience of previous years."

In the final analysis, the destination of the title will go to the team with the shooting boots on. Neither Kilmeena nor Moy Davitts are likely to hold back, regardless of the occasion. They teams are similar in believing that attack is the best form of defence, so you can expect a big score to be tallied up.

The question to be answered is which team can deliver more on the scoreboard. Moy Davitts' main failing is that they tend to play in fits and starts. If they can eradicate that habit and deliver a consistent display for the hour, they can deliver a title they've been threatening to annex for a few years. It's very likely to be a close-run thing, however.

TEAMS

The teams for the final were named during the week.

Kilmeena's starting 15 is the same as that named for last Sunday's semi-final but they made one change on the day, and that player, Liam Moore, made a huge contribution. Barring injury, you can expect to see him at some stage in the final, maybe even from the start.

Moy Davitts' team for the final shows two changes to that which lined out from the start last Sunday, but a few more alterations before throw-in wouldn't be a surprise.

The Kilmeena teams is: Paul Groden; Luke Durkan, Ciaran Kilcoyne, John Ryan; Colin Hastings, Stephen Staunton, Jack Mulchrone; Jack Carney, Kevin Ryder; Conor Kelly, Darragh Slattery, Ronan O'Donnell; Darragh Keaveney, John McGlynn, Daniel Kelly.

Moy Davitts have been named to start as follows: Chris McGlynn; Kevin Moylett, Tadhg Ruane, Jack Dunleavy; David Byrne, Oisin McHugh, Colm McHale; Conor Reid, Padraig Ruane; Brian Reape, Cian McHale, Ryan Kenny; Ronan Clarke, Brian Heneghan, Liam Byrne.