Senior Final Build Up: Players Predictions

When getting predictions who better to ask than the people in the Know.

I've asked a player from each of the 10 remaining Senior clubs to cast their views on the Big Game on Sunday. 

Senior Players and in fact Louth Senior, U21, make up the names  

some have played or currently play with the players that will feature heavily on sunday old college school mates 

What follows is some very interesting insights from Basically the people who know best.....

Enjoy



Robbie Leavy, Ardee St Mary's

Who do you think will win on Sunday and why?

The Pats are obviously favourites but have been caught by the underdogs before (Joes) I cant see that happening again though. I reckon it will be a close match but find it difficult to look past the Pats, The Dreadnots are a young fit team, but I think the Pats players experience in county finals will prove to be a major deciding factor.It wont be long before Joe Ward has a spell in Clogherhead but I think he'll be spending another year in Lordship.

who will be star of the Show?

There will be a lot of county players on show on both sides, all of whom could be the star of the show, for the Dreads they will be relying on the likes of Pops,Califf,Sheflin and Pepe to bring the game to the Pats.Pops had a great game against the Blues and id imagine he will put in another good display on Sunday as he doesnt put in a bad performance all to often. The Pats don't really as much on there county players but if the Dreads have a chance they have to stop Paddy and Ray Finnegan, probably the two best players in the county. I reckon Paddy will be the star of the show once again as he seldom disappoints on the big days both for club and county.

and anything else you'd like to add or you are looking forward to seeing?

I look forward to seeing the midfield battle, but I think the most interesting battle will be between Dessie Finnegan and Pepe Smith, if Dessie can keep him quite the Dreads will find it hard to get too many scores, on the other hand if Dessie cant get the better of Pepe the Dreads could cause an upset.

Adrian Reid, Mattock Rangers

There won't be a kick of the ball between the two teams but I think the Pats might have the experience in the final to edge out the Dreadnots. 

They seem to have the "hoodoo" over the Dreadnots in recent matches. Anything's possible with Paddy Clarke in charge though...

Who will be the star of the show?

I don't know! I think the duel of the game will be Danny O'Connor and Pop Rath though.

Craig McKenna, Dundalk Young Irelands

'In my opinion I can't see past the Pats, their experience in these big games is vital and ease's alot of pressure other teams would feel, Plus having All-Star Paddy Keenan, also helps. 

In saying that, As a goalie I know all too well how Pepe Smith can finish his chances, making me look silly a few times! I think it will be a good game with some quality football being played, hopefully the weather plays its part in that too, but if I was gonna have a bet? I'd be putting it on The Pats.'


Alan Kirk, Ardee St Mary's 

'I think the Pats will be too strong for the Dreadnots, as their experience will tell hugely.  Hope I'm wrong, as it would be great for Louth football if the Dreadnots won but, I just can't see it happening!'

'Also I think if Karl white plays well the pats play well. He's the link man on the forty for the Pats and makes them tick. Lets hope it's a close game.'

Derek Crilly, The Gaels

'Think the Pats might just shade it, Dreadnots are very talented side and will be a force over the next few years, but the Pats greater experience and physicality should just get them over the line on Sunday.'

'Expecting Paddy Keenan or Ray Finnegan to stand out for the Pats, while Pepe Smith and James Califf will be main men for Drednots. Cian McEvoy or Peter Kirwan could make a name for themselves on Sunday, both brilliant players.'

Ruairi Moore, O'Raghallaigh's 

'I reckon Pats will have too much for Clogher although it will be a lot closer that the group game earlier on in the championship. Clogher have some of their big players back from their travels and they will make a huge difference, Shev,Peach etc.'

'I just think Pats, with the experience of last year and previous wins, aswel as their players and a very effective system, will run out 1 or 2 point winners. I'd be expecting the usual suspects to perform, Paddy Keenan, Ray Finnegan and two O'Connors for Pats, Shev, Pepe Pop and Dermot Cambpell for Clogher. Looking forward to match ups of 2 O'Connors with Pop and Dermot.'

Pats to win, but sneaky 20 quid on Clogher!



Jamie Farrell, Cooley Kickhams

'I hope the Dreadnots but I'd say the pats will win and Ray Finnegan will be star of the show.'



James Murray, Newtown Blues

'I think Clogherhead are a very good team in their own right but the pats are seasoned campaigners and know what it takes to win.pats by 4 points but a lot tighter than people expect.'

'For pats they have arguably two fantastic players in ray Finnegan and paddy Keenan who rarely if ever seem to play a bad game, clogher have a strong middle of Califf and Shevlin and pop Rath who has been excellent all year.'

'Hopefully Johnson isn't too whistle happy and let's the game flow,pitch will be in good order and should be great atmosphere...'

Sean Hand, Kilkerley Emmett's
 

'Of course it's hard to look past the pats, as they have the experience of been in this situation over the last number of years. They also have an added bonus of having All-star Paddy Keenan pulling the strings in the middle along with Ray Finnegan backing him up. but, from my experience in football sometimes its the smaller dog that has the bigger fight and I certainly wouldn't rule out the underdog the Dreadnots, in this game.'

'For the pats I reckon Ray and Paddy will be flying the flag but the Dreadnots are a great up and coming team with the likes of Pops, Shevlin, Califf and Smith in the side. Personally I thought they would have been at this stage last season. So this has the makings of an interesting game.'

'Just hope the ref doesn't ruin the game being whistle happy!!'


Fiachra Sheridan, Glyde Rangers

 'I think it's hard to look past St. Pats for Sunday, but I feel the
Dreadnots have a decent chance and they have nothing to lose also they
are mostly a young team this may work to their advantage as they
could have a greater hunger for their first championship, whereas pats
have numerous titles already. I steel feel the pats should have enough
in their locker to win the game.'

'The star of the show will probably be either Paddy Keenan or Ray
Finnegan, they are 2 extremely influential players for the pats with
years of experience and I would expect both of theses players to stand
out on Sunday.'

'I'm looking forward to seeing the midfield battle on Sunday with
Keenan and Shevlin, both inter-county players going head to head.'
 


 
Most telling of all 

Nicky McDonnell, Naomh Martin


'Looking forward to a entertaining game on Sunday with two contrasting styles of play with the defence minded pats against the more attacking Clogher side. Having played  both teams in the group stages , they are formidable outfits & obviously very well drilled. The Pats have that bit  more experience , they have some serious leaders in their line up  that they could nearly manage themselves a distinct advantage over the Clogher men in my opinion but Clogher have the  more experienced coach in Paddy Clarke which should stand to their young side! '

'From  playing the Pats in the  league semi a  couple of weeks ago, its given  me a lot more hope for Clogher than I might have had previous to that game.  A deciding factor of Sunday’s match up will be the way Clogher set up , hopefully they will get at the Pats from the word go, long direct ball is the only way to beat their stubborn defensive set up. If Clogher sit back , play a defensive game to curtail Paddy Keenan’s influence, they’ll Lose. end of story, so it’s vital they have confidence in their own ability & as I said before , quick ball to the inside forward line could see the bonfires burning brightly in Clogherhead Sunday night !'

Key match ups -
Keenan & Mallon V Shevlin & Califf

MOM –
Peter Kirwan

My prediction is a  Clogher win   1-09  0-11
 




So there you have it .....Majority of the lads have selected the Pats to prevail but all bar one are aware of the threat the Dreadnots pose....should be a great final!



MOre to come tomorrow