Gaels poised for glory

REGARDLESS of who wins this Sunday’s Meath SFC Final between Simonstown Gaels and Donaghmore/Ashbourne, it will be hailed as a major breakthrough.

Neither club have succeeded in lifting the Keegan Cup so far, therefore a new name will go on the famous trophy after Sunday’s decider. Simonstown are seeking a first ever senior title, while the old Donaghmore club were successful in 1927, 1928 and 1942.

The well-worn cliche ‘both clubs are in the final on merit’ is hardly an apt one on this occasion and Simonstown especially can consider themselves somewhat fortunate to be in the decider, such were their Jekyll and Hyde displays throughout the campaign.

Ashbourne, who are managed by St Joseph’s CBS Drogheda teacher Sean Kelly, have been knocking on the door since they made the breakthrough by winning the Intermediate crown in 2007. This rapidly expanding club were finalists as recently as 2014, their first-ever final appearance in their present combined entity, but lost out to O’Mahony’s - who were winning their 19th title - on a 2-11 to 2-9 scoreline.

One of the pre-championship favourites, Ashbourne haven’t exactly set the world alight on the way to the decider and indeed have yet to produce anything close to their best form.

They were unspectacular when overcoming St Patrick’s in a dreary opening round before going down to Summerhill in round two. They then recorded wins against Duleek/Bellewstown and Ratoath before going under to Dunboyne after they were already assured of a knockout spot.

Following that they saw off the challenge of Dunshaughlin in a preliminary quarter-final, and while they recorded a big win in a last-eight tie against Seneschalstown, it was difficult to judge them on that display, such was the ineptitude of the opposition on that occasion.

They defeated Skryne 1-9 to 0-8 in a semi-final clash but again failed to convince that this was going to be their year.

Simonstown, on the other hand - who have Colm O’Rourke at the helm - failed to win in any of their three opening rounds and had to wait until round four before tasting a championship win when they defeated Dunshaughlin 1-13 to 0-11.

Earlier on they forced draws with Wolfe Tones and holders and neighbours O’Mahony’s and lost to Moynalvey.

The north Navan men built momentum as the competition progressed and impressed when seeing off the challenge of Na Fianna 3-11 to 0-8 in their final group match.

It took them extra time to overcome Dunboyne in a quarter-final and they had the rub of the green when getting the better of Gaeil Colmcille at the penultimate stage.

The last meeting between these sides was the Feis Cup Final in September when it took extra time to separate the teams, Ashbourne winning 1-17 to 1-14 after Simonstown led by four points in added time of normal time.

Colm O’Rourke was also manager when Simonstown reached the 2003 and 2004 SFC finals. They relinquished a massive half-time lead before going under to Blackhall Gaels, 2-9 to 1-9, in 2003. The following year O’Rourke’s old club Skryne came out on top 1-9 to 0-7.

Interestingly, both managers have won the Keegan Cup as a player, Kelly with Dunderry in 1995 and O’Rourke with Skryne in 1992 and 1993. Kelly, though, has also tasted success as a manager, leading O’Mahony’s to the title in 2008.

Sean Barry, who is an Ashbourne selector, has previously managed Simonstown and his son Shane is a member of the Simonstown club and came on as a sub in their semi-final win.

Of the two teams Simonstown have shown better form in recent times and seem to be judging their run to perfection. They have an abundance of talent and strength throughout the side, from keeper Robbie Burlingham to a full forward line that includes Pauric McKeever and Conor Sheridan. Centre back Brian Conlon is an outstanding player and an exciting county prospect, while the Navan men have a formidable midfield duo in Shane O’Rourke and Conor Nash.

McKeever, Mark McCabe and Sheridan will provide most of the scores in attack and it will also be a major boost if Meath panellist Sean Tobin is fit to take his place in the forward line following injury.

Ashbourne have injury worries regarding Michael Deegan and the McGovern brothers, Daragh and Thomas. Deegan is the biggest worry and his absence would be a major loss as he is his side’s main score-getter.

In Andrew Tormey and Bryan Menton they have two players well used to playing at the top level. Sean Curran, James Colgan and David Morgan are also experienced campaigners in what is a well-balanced Ashbourne team.

Both camps will feel that their time has come to lift the title, but on present form Simonstown seem better equipped to make the breakthrough.