Players IFC Final Panel

I'll begin the build up for Sunday's battle for the Seamus Flood Cup with an intermediate players panel.

Such was the Success of the players panel for the Senior Final, I decided to go and do it again.

and like last week, these guys have the most interesting insights and know best about the most competitive grade in adult football in Louth.

So take note of their opinions and Enjoy!

Cormac Malone, Na Piarsaigh

who do think can get over the line and why? 

'It is a fairly even contest in my opinion with both teams having a good mixture of youth and experience, however I would think the O'Connell's should just shade it, based on playing at senior league standard over the past number of years, however they have froze in big games in the past, but I would think they have learned from that.'

'From a Clans point of view they have a strong forward 6 who can all take a score, and if they can put some early scores on the board it could effect the O'Connell's. The Clans will obviously have last year in the back of their minds and will not want a repeat result so I really do see this one going to the wire with only a point or two in it.'

 

any players in particular to look out for?

'Clans: The obvious choice is Drew Duffy who has been in great scoring form, from both open play and free taking. Mark McGeown is another man the O'C's will have to look out for, he is still relatively young but has been around for quiet a while. I seen JJ Quigley back in the Semi Final, he brings alot of pace and experience into it. Billy Smith is another exciting player who can cover alot of ground and pop up with important scores.'

 

'O'C's: Again Niall Conlon is the danger man for them. Jackie Agnew is another who is very strong going forward and very good defending also. Paul McKeever has been in good scoring form of late and seems to have taking over the free kicks from Stuart Reynolds.'

Jim McEneaney, Geraldine's

'I feel that Sunday will finally be the day the O'Connell's put a lot of demons to bed. We played the Clans in the group and we got a draw with a weakened team, they struggled across the line in a lot of their other games too up until the O Mahonys games as they were clearly the better football team on both nights. They may well be peaking for the final, but I feel the O'Connell's will get the win on Sunday,they have young players that have played senior league for a number of years now.'

'Also they have even younger lads that are showing great potential this year. One of which is Cian Doyle, he is the one to watch on Sunday, his speed on our big pitch in the Gers will suit him and there was excitement everytime he got the ball in the semi final, brilliant player with huge potential. Then there is also Jackie and Niall who both have unbelievable engines to bring the game to the Clans.'

'But, as much ability as the O'Connell's have, you can't help but refer to the fact that you really just don't know what O'Connell's team will turn up on Sunday and with the Clans being a genuinely good footballing team. They have every right to think they can win on Sunday.'

'It should be a great final in any case but you can't but not feel sorry for Ray McCabe missing Sunday, he worked tirelessly last winter up in Darver doing rehab work and he had to get an operation there a while back and misses out!'

'And Finally here's hoping the Geraldines U16's can get over the line in the curtain raiser!'

Daniel O'Connell, Roche Emmett's

'I would have to say that the O'Connell's look like hot favourites. They're in great form and have the players and depth in their squad to win comfortably. '

'The clans will need drew Duffy to be in top form if they are to stand a chance.'

Allan Matthews, Naomh Fionnbarra

'I think it will be O’Connell's turn finally, to get there hands on that elusive championship that has eluded them over the last number of years.'

'They have reached the finals of all the major competitions they have entered this season Sheelan Cup Divison 1 & Intermediate Championship for which they deserve great credit.'
'They started the championship as everyone's favourites to win it but got a reality check v St Brides they have improved with each game since and were very impressive in the semi final victory over St Josephs.'
'Their fitness levels seem to have improved as the season has gone on. The reason I think it will be an O’Connell's victory is because they seem to get the scores more easily and don’t over rely on one man to get the scores I think the Clans rely a lot on Drew Duffy.'
'I have only seen Clans once and it was in Semi Final v Sean O’Mahony's were they should have won the drawn game but a lack of ruthlessness cost them on the night as the Sean's pegged them back t. Also, the O’Connell's like to drop men back but will hit the Clans with a wave of attack/players when they do get forward and it’s a tactic which is very hard to stop.

Players to watch
O’Connells: Niall Conlon & Mark Stanfield(Stanfields doing a lot of the hard/unnoticed work to create the space/Scoring chances for Doyle & Quigley)
Clans: Drew Duffy & Billy Smith (need to play him closer to goals though)

Prediction O’Connells 1.12 Clans 0.10

MOM Niall Conlon

Finally, The Grades top Scorer 

Stephen Fisher, Sean O'Mahony's 

'Having played both teams this year and watched both play I think the IFC is heading for Castlebellingham this year.'

'The O'Connell's are very strong and fit this season and I think the winning of the game is in midfield. They are big and physical in there with Stuart Reynolds doing most of the catching, his quality of passing into the forward line is also brilliant.'

'I think the Clans weakness is at the back and that is were the O'Connell's can benefit. They are very good running with the ball if, it's not on to let it in first time. They are very lively in the corners and plenty of experience with Stansfield as full forward.'

'Niall Conlon and Jackie Agnew will be big big players in the final, both playing exceptionally enroute and they will have to be to win on Sunday.'

'On the other hand, the clans will be no push overs. They too, are also very good at running it with Billy Smith and JJ Quigley dangerous going forward. Also the O'Connell's will need to keep fouling to a minimum as Drew Duffy will kick frees over all night if giving a chance.'

'Also, I think if O'Connell's take Paul gore out of the game he picks up every breaking ball and rarely gives it away, he plays a big part going forward for the clans as a playmaker also if they keep McGeown quiet they will win easy.'

'It should be an entertaining final but there is a lot to ask for from a Clans point of view whereas the O'Connell's have less to worry about  and should win by 3.'

 

 

After a fairly hectic week for Louth Football, hopefully the spotlight can now be on the intermediate final.

With young teams who may have a big part to play in the future of football in the county.