Michaels should have the measure of Éire Óg

Éire Óg vs St Michaels

ÉIRE Óg and St Michael’s will go at it this Saturday afternoon for a place in the final of this season’s PIFC and few could begrudge either side their day in the sun.

St Michaels are on familiar ground after making it to the showpiece game last season only to lose out to Mallow by the narrowest of margins and while that last day disappointment would have rocked many sides, Michaels look to have been inspired by the defeat and have been one of the sides of the championship so far this year.

As one would expect the start was slow enough for them this campaign however they still managed to scrape past a very credible Macroom side on the opening day by the smallest of margins.

There next day out was all of five months later however they seem to have been working hard in the interim as they demolished a Newmarket side that had plenty expectations themselves.

This weekend will be a step up for Michaels as Éire Óg have done well themselves this season. A good win over Beál Athan Ghaorthaidh in round 1 set the ball in motion while a comfortable 4-9 to 1-12 win over highly fancied Bandon really set down a marker next to their name.

There is plenty history between these two sides however a quick look back to last year will show you just how close these two sides are.

In 2017, it was Michaels that advanced easily however Éire Óg had almost saw them off the first day only for that one to end in a draw.

Éire Óg will know that if they give Michael’s an inch they will take a mile so the Ovens club will need to be strong at the back, dominant in the middle and clinical up front if they have any chance of winning here.

Many will believe that St Michael’s only have to turn up for this one but that is most certainly not the case as Éire Óg will be strong contenders.

Hard to see past St Michaels this weekend, but Éire Óg are genuinely in with a real shot. The boys in red and yellow will need skill, passion and no shortage of luck – and while two of the three can be worked on, the most important one of all is down to fate.

Verdict: St Michaels