Senans fancied to make their mark

NORTH KERRY SFC SEMI-FINAL

Finuge v St Senans

Sunday, November 18 Tarbert, 2.30pm

THERE’S nobody quite like Finuge to test your mettle.

There was probably a slight intake of breath in Mountcoal the moment they learned their semi-final fate. Straight away they would have known they were in for a battle and probably that’s no bad thing if they’re to finally break their North Kerry championship duck.

Senans’ ambitions will be tested to the fullest in Tarbert on Sunday afternoon and if they do come through they’ll be all the better for it. For their part Finuge would more than happily embrace the role of underdog and party-poopers.

It’s probably fair to say that St Senans – having never won the competition – are most neutrals’ second side this year, but if anything that will inspire and motivate Fergus Fitzmaurice’s side.

Having beaten Listowel Emmets first time out St Senans will rightly go into the match as favourites. The way they’re playing, the quality they have, the season they’ve had all suggests they should have too much for a Finuge side who battled relegation all year long.

The thing is though Finuge have a championship pedigree that St Senans must envy and sometimes that matters. Even Lixnaw’s hurling form this year is likely to be a boon to them, they’re used to winning and winning can be reinforcing.

Both sides have quality players – if Pat Corridan can reproduce his Feale Rangers form Senans will find him a hard nut to crack – but the Saints seem to have a little more quality with guys like Seán T Dillon, Barry Mahony, Paudie Quille and Seán O’Connell hitting top form right now.

There’s every chance that Finuge can win this match, it would be no shock, but the smart money must be on Senans.

Verdict: St Senans