Legion have what it takes to set up Crokes meeting
COUNTY CLUB SFC SEMI-FINAL
THE season might be barely two months old at county level but by the end of next weekend, Legion and Kenmare will have played each other three times across three different competitions.
The sides have already met in the County League (which Legion won in Round 2) and will meet in the County Championship on Sunday week, but before that both have to face off again for the right to Dr Crokes in the senior club final.
Neither side were necessarily fancied to be here, Kenmare more so than Legion, but both now find themselves with an opportunity to reach a final that might take on greater significance as the season progresses.
Legion have the more relevant track record here having reached the 2013 and 2014 finals of the competition only to lose on both occasions to their fellow Killarney side. There has been an appearance in a 2015 County Final since of course but their early season form suggests they have so far shaken off the effects of a pretty miserable 2016 for the club at senior level.
The year started much earlier for Kenmare as we know with that All-Ireland Intermediate Club semi-final defeat to eventual winners Westport of Mayo, but anyone who thought that their stay at senior level would be short lived got their answer with a very unexpected victory for the club away to Kerins O’Rahillys at Strand Road two weeks ago.
The knock-on effect of such a win means they will still be a senior team in 2018 no matter how the rest of the year progresses and without such worries they might relish the prospect of this encounter where they will go in as underdogs once more.
Legion’s win over Dingle after a replay has to be considered significant as it was achieved away from home and that they are heading to a level which they want to compete at in terms of gaining silverware.
Whether or not there is an element of caution by both sides ahead of the County Championship meeting the following Sunday remains to be seen, but this is a great opportunity for both to test themselves against the All-Ireland Senior club champions whenever the time comes.
Kenmare will want to make amends for the County League defeat at the very least but Legion appear to hold the initiative in advance to set up a third all Killarney final in the competition in five stagings.
Legion