A cracker of a final in store Kilcoole to take on Ashford
Preview with Kieron Kenny WHAT a cracker of a game this Junior ‘A’ football championship final could be on Saturday.
Both teams came through replays to take their place in the final and now that they are there won’t want to leave Arklow on Saturday without the title.
Ashford had to put in a really determined second half performance against Saint Pats to get them through.
Joey Doyle and Conor Dowling form a fine midfield pairing and the experience of Brendan Manning in leader of the attack is crucial.
The energy of Ross Quinn and Graham Mooney forms a good half-forward line. Aaron Nugent wears his scoring boots every day and has had a great year.
Jason Taylor and Michael Dickenson create the room for him inside.
County Minor Thomas Kearns is a fine prospect and with the strength of Wesley Manning and the energy of Daniel Kavanagh it’s a solid half-back line.
Lee Fitzpatrick took over in goal from Will Hender-Phillips last week and done very well behind Michael Taylor and Iarla O’Donnell in the corners and the impressive full-back Conor Dowling.
They have built momentum nicely under Ronnie Phillips and the Doyle brothers Darren and Philip and ended a ten-year wait for a final appearance.
They drew with Kilcoole in the group stages earlier in the summer.
What a year it has been for the Kilcoole club so far. In two football finals the big ball game has been reborn in Kilcoole in 2016.
Ciaran Dutton and Gerry Murray have worked wonders managing their men to the final as their squad seemed to get smaller the more they progressed as their ‘C’ team also set their sights on glory.
Their strength is definitely in their middle third with a solid half back line of Ronan and Dara Keddy flanking Matt Kennedy.
Vinny Quigley was carrying a knock last week and he didn’t exert his usual influence on proceedings and Toby O’Brien carried most of the workload in the middle.
Quigley is a deceptive player with bags of skill on the ball and a clever play maker.
Jack Bellamy has found super form at the right time, Matt Gilbert will punish any indiscretions by Ashford and Danny Kavanagh is also back available after a hand injury.
Luke Evans is another fine young talent and with Lee Dutton, Eoin Keddy and Declan Roper are capable score getters too.
They will be sweating on the availability of Conor O’Toole to take station in the full-back line with Keith Reynolds and Colm McGovern where they have been solid all year in front of Glen Tighe. With such a feel good feeling about the club at the moment they will fancy this.