INTERMEDIATE COUNTY FINAL PREVIEW

Date

Young Irelands v Lisdowney – Sunday 20th October at 3.15pm in UPMC Nowlan Park

Sunday the 20th of October 1996 saw one of the greatest days in Young Irelands history, as they won their first Senior County Final after a replay against James Stephens.
Fast forward 28 years to the exact day, and Young Irelands will be hoping to replicate that great triumph with another day to remember in the Club’s history.
There has been such a wonderful build up in Gowran & Dungarvan ahead of Sunday’s County Final, with so much colour and excitement, particularly in Gowran National School as the children prepare to cheer on their heroes.

Next Sunday’s County Final is a repeat of the League Final that Lisdowney won by a solitary point (3-17 to 2-19) a month ago, as they struck late with an injury-time goal and a point to deny Young Irelands.
Barry Power and the management team have done a magnificent job in transforming Young Irelands fortunes since coming on board last year.

A strong 2023 campaign saw them just denied by a late Dunnamaggin goal in the quarter final on one of the worst days ever weather wise to play a match.

However, shortly afterwards Young Irelands won the U-19B Final in Gowran – this weekend last year – and that victory began a whirlwind 12 months for the Club as they won the U-21B in late 2023, while both the Junior A and Junior F titles followed in 2024.

Young Irelands first game in this year’s Intermediate campaign was against Mooncoin, who were down a number of their marquee players from last year. The Gowran men duly delivered a 10 point victory. 4-14 to 1-13. They were up and running!

Further victories followed against Fenians and Blacks & Whites and following a one point defeat against Tullogher-Rosbercon, Young Irelands bounced to winning ways with a last gasp point from Paddy Brennan to secure a hard fought victory against St. Martins.

That victory was massive as Young Irelands topped the group on scoring difference, booking that all important quarter final spot, having finished with 8 points along with Mooncoin and Tullogher-Rosbercon.
The quarter final was a local derby against near neighbours Blacks & Whites. After a closely contested first half, Young Irelands asserted themselves after half time highlighted by goals from Killian (penalty) and Sean Carey.

The Semi Final paired Young Irelands against the 2023 senior relegated Danesfort. A tight tense affair throughout, but Young Irelands displayed a will to win attitude to ensure they would get over the finishing line.

Those two wins against St. Martins and Danesfort proved they have strength of character and resilience in abundance, and they certainly won’t be lacking in that regard on Sunday.

Sean Carey and Ted Drea have been two of the outstanding forwards to date, forming such a telegraphic understanding similar to the Club past greats, DJ and Charlie in their prime.

No doubt Lisdowney will keep a close eye on the duo, and that emphasises the importance of the rest of the attack and midfielders to contribute on the scoreboard.

Lisdowney will go into Sunday’s Final as marginal favourites, having the greater recent experience as Intermediate champions following a penalty shootout over Thomastown in 2020.

The central spine of their team is very strong with Inter-County Senior goalkeeper Aidan Tallis, Niall Brennan, David and Pat O’Carroll along with Brian Kavanagh expected to be to the fore.

Brian Kavanagh scored 1-7(0-2 frees 0-1’65) in their nail-biting Semi-Final win against Mooncoin, while Eibhean McEvoy who came on as a first-half substitute scored the all important goal late on and has surely put himself in the frame to start on Sunday.

6 of the Young Irelands starting 15 from their Semi-Final win against Danesfort are U-21 this year, with many more of the players involved in both the U-19 and U-21 wins in 2023 having played their part throughout out this years campaign.

The future is very bright for Young Irelands regardless of what happens next Sunday, but as Barry Power said post-match to Adrian Ronan on KCLR recently, the future is now and it’s important to make the most of this opportunity particularly with how competitive Intermediate is.

They have an opportunity next Sunday to grasp the moment as they go in search of Intermediate glory 32 years on from the Clubs maiden triumph at this level.

PS: If the match ends in a draw next Sunday after extra-time, a replay will be required on the October Bank Holiday weekend.

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