Canavan brothers can prove the difference, but only if they both fire
Ciarán Pic: The Left, Darragh Ruairi Errigal Cup Seamus Canavan, Mcferran Cardy/sportsfile Ramsey Lift Of Dagerous And Canavan Duo:
It is no surprise to see the two names at the top of Errigal Ciaran’s scoring contributors. Ruairi Canavan leads the way with 0-40 (0-18 from play). His older brother Darragh has kicked 0-15.
The issue is that they haven’t always done it together. Darragh did score in the Ulster final triumph over Kilcoo, Ruairi did not. In the semi-final win over Clann Éireann, Ruairi hit 0-9 while Darragh’s return was just two points. It was a similar story in the Tyrone decider versus Trillick.
Dr Crokes used Gavin White as a man-marker on Dingle’s Paul Geaney in the Kerry SFC final with Fionn Fitzgerald stationed closer to goal. Winning one of these matchups would go some way towards securing a date in Croke Park. Winning two would be colossal.
At the start of the second half in the Connacht final, Coolera-Strandhill were trying to reel Pádraig Pearses in. Goalkeeper Keelan Harte collected the ball outside the 45 on the right wing and unleashed a corker, reducing the margin down to one.
This was a theme. The number one had 27 possessions, one assist and several score involvements. He didn’t save the penalty and dropped a ball out for a 45 but it didn’t matter. They didn’t need a traditional goalkeeper. He had enormous value in how they attack.
How will Cuala respond to that? Austin O’Malley has been well warned now. Expect Harte to be pressed quickly when he ventures forward. They enjoyed success when they pressed Tullamore in Parnell Park last November.
For the last few weeks, intercounty squads have been cramming on the new rules as everyone tries to get a sense of what the game will look like. A select few teams are operating outside of that process. The Sigerson Cup and club championships will proceed with the old rules. That meant a tricky Christmas period for many of them.
Historically, club and college teams played counties in challenge matches. That didn’t make sense in certain cases. So, the few remaining clubs have either played college teams or clubs at a different grade. Interestingly, Austin Stacks did play Kerry in a challenge last weekend under the new rules while also playing a college team under the old rules.
Many of these games have taken place on pitches already lined for the future. This weekend four clubs have the opportunity to show what was valuable from the past.
The same old talking point still applies to the intermediate championship. Kerry clubs are strong favourites. They have won 15 of the last 17 Munster intermediate titles and seven of the last All-Ireland intermediate titles, with another two final appearances.
As is often mentioned, Austin Stacks are the 9th-best club team in Kerry while Ballinderry are the 17th-best club team in Derry. There are some caveats to that. Ballinderry played Division 1 football in 2024. They won an All-Ireland senior club title in 2002. Their recent promotion back to the senior ranks came at the first time of asking.
Plus, it hasn’t always been Kerry’s 9th best side. Ardfert’s intermediate All-Ireland in 2015 came after a senior club championship that had 11 senior clubs in it. Billy Lee has stressed he understands the ‘quality’ they will face in Tullamore. Trends can change quickly too. A loss here would mean only one Kerry club have made the intermediate final in the last five editions.
In 2003, Crossmolina Deel Rovers returned to their second All-Ireland final in three years. John Maughan had led them to Mayo and Connacht glory before they fell short against Nemo Rangers. 21 years later, Maughan is again trying to help his native club to Croke Park.
His Munster title with Clare had already happened by the time Maughan overcame Knockmore in the Mayo SFC final. A second spell in charge of Mayo would soon follow. In total between Mayo, Clare, Roscommon, Fermanagh and Offaly, the former Army captain completed a provincial slam of managing a county in every province. Now he is back on the line beside coach Thomas McNulty and manager Brian Benson.
A club that won six county titles in 10 years and was relegated to intermediate in 2018 are now on the up again. Kildare’s Caragh stand in their way of another outing in HQ.