IFC Semi's

On Saturday afternoon in Haggardstown the last 4 four teams left standing in the intermediate championship are coming head to head:

'The Great Pretenders' O'Connell's
'The Yound Guns' St Joesph's
'The Runners Up' Clan na Gael
Sean 'we haven't gone away you know' O'Mahony's 
  

As I've Stated before on here, the IFC is one of the most competitive championship there is!!!
So What makes the semi finals of this daunting competition even more competitive than a Roy Keane Michael Jordan arm wrestle?

not one but Two local derbies!, thats what..... Brilliant! 




First up we have The the Mid Louth Derby, (or East louth? answers on a postcard please) between the Castlebellingham men O'Connells and the men from Dromiskin St Joesph's at 6.30pm 

Both teams will be happy with their form but the Joe's disposal of the Mochta's in the quarter finals was by far the most eye catching. 
Although the O'Connells defeated by the Fechins by a solitary point, this is maybe a more significant result having come from behind to win shows that this year they mean business having lost tight games in past.

This game will be decided by the two smallest men in Haggardstown, barring Murphy Rooney goes to watch!  Niall Conlon from recent Celebrity Banisteoir Fame and the back in 2006 form Derek Mulligan.
Both men when they are in form, describe the most used word in sport these days:Unplayable.


The Dundalk derby will headline the fightcard of saturdays action and it will be massive splash of green and Yellow!

Last years runners up The Clans, play the most consistent of consistent Dundalk Teams in recent years the O'Mahony's.

Both teams play a similar style of pacey football with an emphasis on open forward play. The unlucky minor semi final debacle means the Clans are due some luck but they will have to earn it.

I feel this game will come down to that coveted middle thirds scrap for possession.  Although the Clans will come out smaller in that sector compared to their opposite O'Mahony's opponent they are more equipped to be scrappier! with Stephen Fitzpatrick, Paul Gore and Gary Hoey relishing in that environment.






My Verdict: is a repeat, ironically, of last years Semi final between the Clans and O'Connell's but two draws is not out of the question as Bragging rights are the main prize up for grabs not a place in the intermediate final!

It's Business Timeeeeeeee

So here we are folks, after the glamour of the ACC/Sheelan Cup, mullen Shields, the grime of the league's....

We now have the cream rising to the top in no better place than the Championship.


This year we have knock out stages stacked full of narratives and local Derbies.


This Sunday will be the busiest day of action, two finals take place in the Grove, then later that evening the remaining senior finalists place will be up for grabs.
 
SHC Final
Knockbridge Vs Pearse Og

Surely the Knockbridge men will do it again!? if they're not on their game no better team than Pearse Og to take the title from them.

JFC Final
Glen Emmets Versus Dunleer

Glen Emmets have been somewhat of a bogey team for Dunleer in recent seasons beating them as recently as last years semi final after a replay.

Although the Glen Emmets dumped out the Plunketts in the shock of the Season, I think Lanleire's form has been superb throughout, beating hunterstown and the Seans impressively.

I'll go for Dunleer 

Watch out for Conor Grimes this years Louth minor, yes, he is minor! although you won't think it when you see him for the first time at the edge of the Square for the tullyallen men but he can play some ball too.
and Shane Kennedy from Dunleer, who will possibly have won two championships in the one day in both codes? has that ever happened!?




SFC Semi's
Cooley and the Pats

Saturday night will see the old married couple of Louth football the Peninsula's (Mr Pat's and Mrs Cooley) face off again in their own familiar domestic setting of Dowdallshill.

The Pats like routine just as much as they like beating Cooley, but one of these days the kickhams are going to snap and stand up for themselves and take no more of the Pats abuse.

Will it be on Saturday night?

On recent form it doesn't look likely....actually, on recent form of PK and Ray Finnegan it doesn't look likely. But for Cooley, in their 125th year with the two Brian's back on Board they have a glimmer of hope.

Verdict: Pats, Sorry Cooley I just don't trust you's enough!!!



Newtown Blues versus Dreadnots

Similar to the game on the Saturday. This Sunday night game will be just as tight and just a big of a breakthrough for the underdogs.

Clogherhead have let the dark horse tag weigh heavy on their shoulders but they are still there shaking off the Mary's in two games but, that will bring on Paddy Clarke's Charge's no end and with the pressure now off this young team, that is where the blue's might begin to worry.

This game threatens to be that bit more open, what will decide this game is both full forward's.
 Who, I might add were not involved with Louth this season Colm Judge for the Blues and Pepe Smith for the Dreadnots 

Both have come into form at the right time putting distractions and injuries behind them and are leading their teams excellently.

how far will they lead them and excellently? 
that, will depend on the supply.

Verdict: Blue's Just....ahhhh i really want to go for the Dreadnots also.

Here's a sneaky extra Point to why.
This game will be under lights in Haggardstown, I know the Dreadnots have alot more experience in those particular conditions. which might give them that little edge semi's are so finely balanced on.




Jez, I'm very excited now after that.....at the end of the day what a great line up of action.

So get out there and support, what is expected to be some quality matches of hurling and football !!!

also a note to the Minor Semi's Also

i'll need predictions as I'm not that well informed
Plunkets Versus Marys Sunday?? and Clan's Versus O'Connell's/Stabannon/Joe's

let me know by tweeting me @LouthProud and hashtaging #louthminor

Thanks for Reading

IFC Semi's preview next week