King & Moffatt JFC A final: St Barry’s v Clann na nGael on Saturday in Dr Hyde Park at 3 pm
St Barry’s arrive in Dr Hyde Park on Saturday hoping to bridge a 17-year gap when they face Clann na nGael in this year’s junior football decider.
For their part, Clann will be determined to put their heavy defeat in last year’s final at the hands of St Michael’s behind them and progress back up to the intermediate ranks for 2025.
It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster season for St Barry’s in the championship. The Tarmonbarry side, managed by Longford man Colin Clarke, opened their campaign with a good win against St Ronan’s, however defeats followed against St Aidan’s and Western Gaels.
But subsequent wins against Strokestown, Boyle and Ballinameen (in a thrilling semi-final) have propelled them into the final and they have built up a nice head of steam as a result. Pauric Halpin, Cillian Campbell, Emmett Conroy, David Keenan and Eoghan Diffley have all been very prominent in their run to this final.
Clann, who were relegated from the intermediate ranks just two years ago, will feel that they belong in the higher grade. They have been very consistent in this championship and their wins against St Aidan’s in the quarter-final and Roscommon Gaels in the semi-final have been impressive.
Clann have a good blend of younger and older players. Players like Cathal Shine, Graham Pettit, Cian McManus and Ronan Gavin have been around the block, while the likes of Tomas O’Neill, Cian Gavin and Gavin McManus have also been doing very well for the Johnstown club.
St Barry’s will be trying to take a leaf out of St Michael’s book from last year when the Cootehall-based club blitzed their way to the title. There will be a huge interest in the game in the parish and they will bring a big crowd to the Hyde on Saturday. However, Clann will be determined to put that poor result from last year behind them on Saturday and they might just have the edge.
Prediction: Clann na nGael.
