St. Martin’s seek second leg of super Co. double
Motivated favourites tipped to prevail
ST. MARTIN’S are where they want to be, but they must be wary of Enniscorthy Starlights when the sides meet in the Tom Doyle Supplies Senior football championship final in Innovate Wexford Park on Sunday (3.30 p.m.).
In an average year a club would be satisfied with one county title, but for St. Martin’s they already have an array of silverware that many clubs would not see in a lifetime.
They still have one important hurdle to surmount though, and that comes just seven days after lifting the Pettitt’s Senior hurling title - that of the Senior football crown to complete an historic first double for the club, while also becoming the first club to do so since neighbours St. Anne’s (Rathangan) back in 2000.
Starlights will have an important say in the eventual destination of the title. The Enniscorthy town side are dreaming big again, having moved through the pack practically unnoticed. Starlights hope it’s a dream that will come true as they have waited since 2004 to bring a coveted Senior title back to the Cathedral town.
Curtailing the St. Martin’s surge will prove a hugely difficult task for them, but they have belief in their own ability, and in the squad which has taken them this far.
They believe they’re capable of denying their opponents that historic double which is what makes this final all the more intriguing.
Starlights were awesome in the manner in which they disposed of a highly-fancied Castletown with a powerful second-half display, although they realise that it’s going to take something similar on this occasion, but over the full 60 minutes, if they are to lift silverware. They stand on the brink of glory but it’s going to take a special display to take them over that final hurdle.
Starlights will be facing a galvanised St. Martin’s outfit, who last Sunday dismantled the aristocrats of Wexford hurling, Oulart-The Ballagh. This is a talented St. Martin’s side, and they will be fielding at least 13 of the of the staring hurling team in their quest for further glory. They will come out with the big guns blazing in an effort to inflict serious damage on the Starlights from a very early stage.
As a team St. Martin’s are right up there at the top but now it’s a matter of recovery, casting aside the soreness and knocks from what was a bruising hurling final battle.
Preparation is vital but St. Martin’s have it down to a fine art given the demands placed on them over the past ten weeks.
They are managing both squads’ mental state as well as their physical well-being to perfection, producing teams over successive weekends ready to do battle.
St. Martin’s have been fortunate with injuries. Rory O’Connor, a doubt all week, came through the pain barrier to produce a superb hurling final despite carrying a heavily bandaged leg, but it’s an injury that will keep him doubtful for this football decider. His loss would be felt but they have some cracking back-up talent which was noticeable when he missed out on the semi-final replay victory over Shelmaliers.
For St. Martin’s to continue to perform, the seamless slotting in of these players is necessary since this season has all been about a squad effort, as they utilised the bench to perfection in demolishing Oulart-The Ballagh. This is where they are far stronger than any opposition and it should stand to them in this clash with a rejuvenated Starlights.
The opportunity of that historic double will not be lost on this St. Martin’s outfit. No doubt celebrations have been put on hold since Sunday night as they will not want to miss out on this chance.
St. Martin’s are blessed with talent right through the team. They are solid in defence where they have players of the calibre of captain Willie Devereux, Conor Firman, Harry and Joe O’Connor, while Aaron Maddock and Mikey Coleman complete a sextet that will be difficult to cast aside.
But it’s in midfield that the crucial link will once again be evident. Daithí Waters, man of the match in the hurling final, is one of the top performers around, and along with the solid workrate of Jack O’Connor they will be expected to give their side a vital edge in this battle.
Starlights will not need to be forewarned of the threat that players like Ciarán Lyng, Barry O’Connor and Jake Firman carry in attack, while Jamie Carty is crucial for that vital goal. A fit Rory O’Connor will bring to much to the team, while the intelligent goalkeping of Tomás Hayes helps to launch attacks from deep in defence. Goalscorer Paudie Kelly and youngster Peter Barry contributed in rich measure to the replay win over Shelmaliers.
Starlights were exceptional in that second-half against Castletown. This is where they will start from in an effort to prevail in what is a daunting challenge.
Apart from that win over Castletown, they have emerged through the campaign away from the headlines despite the talent at their disposal, so they should in no way be written out of this final.
Pa Doyle is an experience and capable last line of defence, while Jack Kelly, veteran Tom Wall and Mel Doyle will be striving to stifle the highly-rated opposing attack.
Kevin Foley and Liam Ryan, better known for their hurling exploits, will be handed the task of winning sufficient ball in midfield where Nick Doyle will also be expected to figure prominently, while Aaron Dobbs, Darragh Pepper and Ryan Mahon will bring speed and skilful play to the attack.
Starlights need a win after so many disappointments over recent years, but St. Martin’s will need no motivation as they have the history and tradition to go with it.
I fancy St. Martin’s to prevail with something to spare, completing that magical double in the process.