Leitrim County Finals Preview

All is ready for bumper weekend of Final action as Pairc Sheain Ui Heslin and Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada play host the deciders of the three main adult championship competitions in addition to the Blue Riband of underage football, the MFC A Final. A remarkable feature of this years finals at Senior, Intermediate and Junior A is that all finalists have already met in the competition at respective group stages. In a further coincidence, all of these games were part of the Round 3 series all teams having secured their places in the respective quarter finals by the conclusion of the Round 2 series. On a general note it is accurate to say that there was very little at stake in any of these previous encounters and as such previous results will count for little on this weekend. The law of averages would suggest that at least on of the results will be reversed this weekend. The burning question is which one is that likely to be???

Below we preview the adult games and we look forward to the sun shining on the most important weekend of Leitrim Club Football 2010 hosted by the excellent facilities of Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada and Ballinamore Sean O Heslins

Connacht Gold Leitrim Senior Football Championship Final 2010

The stage is set for the eagerly awaited showpiece of Leitrim Senior Club Football as reigning champions Glencar/Manorhamilton place their title on the line and chase a coveted 3-in-a row on Sunday next in Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada as they face down the considerable challenge of St. Marys-Kiltoghert.

The 2008 and 2009 champions have been the outstanding team in Leitrim Club Football since they captured the clubs third SFC title two years ago and are also the current ACL D1 crown holders having also contest the League decider in 2008. They have carried the mantle of favourites throughout this years competition with the calm assurance of a team that has learned and earned a winning habit that can often be very difficult to dismantle.

Challengers St. Marys have arrived at the final very much under the radar but have, nonetheless, been quite impressive on their run to the final, having taken care of the considerable challenge of neighbours Annaduff with a semi-final performance which suggests they have much greater intentions than just making up numbers on Sunday. Also chasing their fifth title, it is worth noting that they were reigning champions whenÓglencar/Manorhamilton defeated them in the 2008 semi-final with the considerable help of late goal.

As Glencar/Manorhamilton chase history on Sunday, they can be assured that their opponents will be equally determined to reclaim the county blue Riband and while Glencar/Manorhamilton may have taken a first strike by having defeated St Marys earlier in the Group stages, this will count for little at 3.30 on Sunday as the action commences and we look forward to a classic encounter in the chase for the Fenagh Perpetual Cup.

GWP Leitrim Intermediate Football Championship Final 2010

The clash of Drumkeerin and Aughawillan in the GWP Intermediate Final in Ballinamore on Saturday next at 4.45pm is eagerly awaited as the clubs which contested the 2008 and 2009 finals arrive at this stage again with the destination of the Frank Reynolds Memorial Cup as Leitrim Intermediate Football Champions and the considerable prize of a place in the 2011 Senior Football Championship Draw also on offer also.

Aughawillan would have been on a favourites shortlist from the outset of the competition with the experience of the last two seasons in ACL D1 under their belts. They have arrived at this stage on the back of an impressive run through the competition having included a defeat of their Saturday opponents at the Group stages and took care of the challenge of neighbours and 2008 champions Aughnasheelin at the semi-final stage. They will be hoping to go one better than last year but will be very wary of the Drumkeerin challenge.

Drumkeerin have improved steadily throughout the competition and are well poised to make a strong challenge for ultimate honours. With a potent mix of youth and experience they will be eager to atone for loss in the 2008 decider and avenge the earlier defeat by Aughawillan in the competition. They will probably carry the title of underdogs into the fray but that will not trouble them as they challenge earnestly for 2010 championship honours. It is worth noting that they have already disposed of the considerable challenge of another of the pre-competition favourites ACL D1 side Dromahair in the semi-final.

We look forward to rip-roaring contest on Saturday as the destination of the Intermediate crown is decided.

GWP Leitrim Junior A Football Championship Final 2010

Eslin and Leitrim Gaels, as the only first teams in the competition were favoured to arrive at the decider from the outset and so it has proved as the destination of the Dick Ellis Memorial Cup is up for decision in Ballinamore on Saturday at 3pm. A place in the Intermediate Football Championship 2011 also goes to the victors.

Eslin, having plied their trade in ACL D2 over the past two seasons, have contested the Finals of 2008 and 2009 at this level and will be very determined to make it a case of third time lucky this time. Seasoned championship campaigners at this level, they will be hoping that that the gods smile on them more favourably than in the past two seasons and that the efforts made at underage level over the past ten years will bear for them a rich harvest on Saturday. They have arrived at the final with a string of impressive victories, including the group stage scalp of their opponents this weekend.

Leitrim Gaels have made very steady progress over the past number of years and have reached their first ever Junior A Football Championship Final. Junior B Football Champions in 2007 and Junior C Football Champions of 2009 they arrive at this stage, having already had a bumper harvest this year. Although operating from ACL D4 they proved their credentials by capturing that particular title in July and added the ACL D5 title for good measure. They have surmounted all necessary hurdles in this years JFC A quietly and will be very determined to claim their biggest ever prize on Saturday.

 

 

24-Sep-10 by