IFC Final 'Final' Preview 2013

Geraldines Vs St Brides

Sunday 6th October 4pm

Dowdallshill

Although I haven't built up the game too much....

I've had a bit of a Senior final hangover, I haven't been drinking all week with the Blues but I'm feeling the effects of standing on a bank in Drogheda for 5 hours without a coat!

but, I'm really looking forward to this years Intermediate show piece.

It is like a litmus test a leaving cert of sorts for alot of these young men that have dominated the underage game.

Leaving Cert

The Gers have competed in 5 Minor Championship Finals in the last 7 years!

The Brides are no chumps at underage either in fact beating the Geraldines in 2011. A possible 8 from that team will start for the Brides come Sunday and 5 for the Gers.

In fact the only player with no minor final experience for the Geraldines is their full back Nicky Mackin. 

That just shows you the volume of youth and potential talent this final possesses.

But, potential never won anything.

Experience Vs Final pedigree

That's why I think ironically this game will hinge on the experience of the Brides elder statesmen.

The core of Aaron Hoey, Ray Kelly, David Dunne all of whom played in a senior final in 2002 makes it easy for the Brides youth to express themselves as the veterans will be a well of calm at the right stages be it having the nous to get on the ball or not to panic when things are not going there way.

Also, They might want it that bit more and I think it would be a shame for those 3 servants to finish their career without a championship medal....Hoey and Kelly especially, as they are arguably two of the best club players in louth of the past decade.

Verdict

The two sides have met twice previously this year, first in the league which the Gers won at home and secondly in the Championship group stages in Dowdallshill which the Brides won....I think this years Championship history is going to repeat itself. Brides.