BE HUGE FOR BOTH!

Arklow and their GAA teams. Holding out for a one-point, 0-08 to 0-07, win, Redmond walked from the field calmly knowing the hurdles were now falling at pace in front of them.

Kilmac in the semi-final were the only unbeaten team left in the competition.

It was wet, windy and the ground was akin to a ploughed field after a busy Saturday.

This was surely the game for all the doubters to finally see their predictions bear fruit, not a hope of it.

A resilient first half and two goals against the elements had them in a healthy position.

They had enjoyed a lead double the value back on that July evening so not many of their loyal followers were cashing their dockets just yet.

Losing a man early in the second half will have brought a little anxiety.

Kilmac were trying hard to claw back when AGB broke, a Philip Healy pass which was probably meant for Ciaran Hyland instead found its way to Cormac O’Shea and the net rippled, they had learned as a unit from that July night and are now one hour from glory as they progressed to the final 3-05 to 0-7.

How easy it must have been for everybody connected with the team to emerge from the front of the dressing rooms having reached the final compared to how they all had left feeling dejected in July.

Redmond like his counterpart has learned plenty along the road to the final, he knows the challenge he faces on Sunday better than anybody and he will be ready.

Ballinacor are a team at this moment in time with plenty of experience running through it. Christopher Kennedy, Denis Heffernan, Martin and Philip Byrne, Davy Carter and Ciaran O’Neill are among a host of panel members who have played in a couple of intermediate finals in the past. Chrisy Murphy missed some of the games in the campaign with injury and his return was a timely boost, his leadership will be vital.

They create plenty of chances with their style of play and can mix it up as well as any team I have seen this year.

Pace and the ability to carry ball is something Joe Murphy likes in his team and moving targets rather than a stationary forward is his preference.

They have a midfield pairing that has been as good as any in Wicklow at any grade in 2016. Danny Dowling is a tireless worker who does a serious amount of grafting to free up ball for others to get forward.

His partner Paddy Byrne is a strong determined ball carrier and chips in with a score or two most days.

Ronan Phelan, Brian Hanlon and Conor Parsons are players who can also travel well in possession and Parsons is very accurate from placed balls.

They will hope Ger Byrne and James Murphy will be fit enough to play a part as both are classy forwards and good finishers and along with Jamie Nolan form a dangerous inside line.

They are fit, ready and really determined to make it back to Senior ranks this time.

The return of Mervyn Travers to the AGB goalkeeping position has been a boost to their hopes and his calming influence has really helped the younger players at the back.

James Tyrrell is a strong fullback and flanked well by the pace of Karl Kirwan and Tom Maher who looks like a player who was born to defend such is his natural ability close to his own goal.

Darragh Fitzgerald is one of the top talents in Wicklow at the minute and his influence on the game will be central to where the cup ends up.

Ciaran Hyland, Philip Gleeson, Danny O’Harte and Stephen Hurley are fine footballers and good athletes who would dearly love a championship medal.

Philip Healy has been a top forward for years but such is the strength that AGB now have he may not start although the hardship he caused the Ballinacor men the first day may help his cause when the selectors sit down to decide.

Gary Tyrrell, Cormac Hyland and Chris O’Brien will be around the middle third along with JP Hurley and Cal Kelly who will have a great battle with the Dowling/ Byrne pairing.

Ross Hynes has been a revelation since getting his chance and the speed and finishing ability of Cormac O’Shea and Cathal Kelleher must be an absolute nightmare to play against for any full-back line.

The return to Senior ranks at this moment in time would be timely for the development of the young players in Arklow and just reward for the dedication of others.

The game in July may or may not have much bearing on what happens Sunday but it has fashioned both panels and managements in to the units they are now.

Both know the damage either team could do given the opportunities.

It may not be as open as it was back then but it will be just as competitive and just as close.

I wouldn’t dare call the winner of this one.