Preview: Novel final has potential to be a classic

SFC final preview

After a hectic day’s action last Sunday, the stage is set for the SFC final between Kingscourt Stars and Crosserlough, two of the heavyweight senior clubs in the county who have surprisingly little shared history on the big day.

The sides have won 20 Senior Championships between them (Kingscourt leading with 11) but have met in just two finals, with the Stars winning in both 1980 (0-10 to 0-9) and 1991 (3-11 to 0-10).

At the outset of this season, Crosserlough, who were in the semi-final last year and lost the final by a point the year before, were on most pundits’ shortlists. Kingscourt, however, were overlooked by many and viewed as a side in transition.

However, they have proven the doubters wrong by storming to a fifth final since 2010 and, like Crosserlough, winning all six matches en route.

The Stars had the easier draw in the group stages, with all four of the sides they played failing to make the knock-out stages while Crosserlough had to deal with would-be quarter-finalists Lavey and Ramor United. Both sides negotiated those hurdles and in the quarters, came through close games, Kingscourt coming from behind to beat Mullahoran after extra time and Crosserlough almost squandering a big lead before seeing off Gowna.

The Stars were rated as the outsiders of the four semi-finalists. However, minus Joe Dillon and James Farrelly (who picked up an injury in the warm-up) and deprived of Padraig Faulkner after he was injured early on, they turned in a revelatory performance.

Alan Clarke, their leader for so many years, moved to midfield and physically imposed himself, nullifying the in-form Gearoid McKiernan, and all around the field, Kingscourt raised their games, with Peter Corrigan, Sean Burke, Cian Shekleton and John Oates among those to stand out along with the excellent Barry Reilly, whose place-kicking and composure on the ball were exemplary.

Earlier on, Crosserlough had come through an absolute dogfight against Castlerahan, the outstanding side for the past two years. Captain Pierce Smith was integral off the bench while the full-back line, in particular John Cooke, turned in their best display yet.

Patrick Lynch, Stephen Smith and Shane McVeety also vied for the Man of the Match award so it’s fair to say that both sides come into the final in fine form.

The context of what a win would mean is interesting. Kingscourt have a side full of senior medallists including Clarke, Reilly, Philip Tinnelly, Barry Tully and others. They are looking for a third medal, an outstanding achievement in any era.

Padraig Faulkner, who looks set to be cleared to play after his injury, has been their lynchpin and would be picking up his second title were he to be presented with the cup by the county chairman Kieran Callaghan on Saturday night. A Stars win would see Faulkner join an exclusive club; his father Pat also captained the club to senior glory.

The Lough, on the other hand, are without a championship success in 48 years. They have been building for a few years and the feeling is that a breakthrough win could be a major launchpad.

If Crosserlough can get their hands on the Oliver Plunkett Cup on Saturday evening, they will be the seventh different club to do so since 2012, which would mark a nine-season period of flux unprecedented in the Cavan Senior Championship since the 1970s.

Traditionally, the cycle in the competition has seen a team dominate for a decade before naturally falling away. A spell of disruption follows where the cup changes hands regularly and then, inevitably, a new side emerges to win numerous titles.

Crosserlough won the last of their seven titles in succession in 1972. There followed a decade where Annagh, Ramor, Cavan Gaels, St Mary’s, Laragh and Kingscourt all ascended to the throne – but it was the Stars who would go on to win the most in the years that followed.

Of the two finalists, while the Stars have plenty of new talent, Crosserlough are the more youthful and look best-placed to hold on to the crown for a few years. But the first one is the hardest to win, always.

The bookmakers favour Crosserlough (8/13) and there will surely be some punters enthusiastically taking the 7/4 on offer about Kingscourt. It should be closer than the odds suggest and much will depend on how the teams cope with the occasion – Kingscourt are past masters and have won titles in the past when they were given much less chance than the consensus for this week. They will perform.

But Crosserlough have the look of a side with more in the tank and the experience of losing the final two years ago could just see them edge it by a point or two.

IFC final

In the Intermediate Championship final (Sun, 5pm), Ballinagh enter as 4/9 favourites to claim a title they have previously won in 1979, 1992 and 2007, with Butlersbridge ranked as 2/1 underdogs.

The sides came into this championship from different directions. Ballinagh were senior champions seven years ago before dropping down; this is their second crack at the Gilroy Cup.

Butlersbridge have been steadily building, culminating in a first appearance in this particular final. Their side is led by the brilliant Caoimhín O’Reilly up front along with centre-back and captain Feargal Flanagan, who was magnificent in the semi-final win over Bailieborough.

They have answered every question asked of them, utilising a free-flowing attacking style; while they have shipped scores at the back, they have been sensational at the other end, with the likes of Jonny Leddy, Paddy McPhilips and midfielder John Fitzpatrick also influential.

But Ballinagh’s blend of youth and experience looks potent. Their defence, led by full-back Patrick Carroll, managed to negate a star-studded Ballyhaise forward line last Sunday. Their midfield of Padraic O’Reilly and Thomas Moore are rock solid and up front, even if Niall McDermott and Kevin Smith are shut down, Shane Finnegan and Thomas Smith can score freely.

The ’Bridge have been a breath of fresh air and if they can continue to tighten up at the back, they will be close but Ballinagh get the nod.