(JJ Hurley)
(credited Delores Kidney)
Ballygarvan have a date with destiny on Sunday as they face Inniscarra in the McCarthy Insurance Group Junior A Football Final in Pairc Ui Rinn at 3pm.
Coming into the game as favourites, the South East side are under no illusion of the task they face from an Inniscarra side, who dispatched a very fancied Kilmacabea team in last week’s semi-final.
A point not lost on Ballygarvan’s team manager, Steve Maloney, as he reflected on Sunday’s showdown.
‘When you get to this level no team is going to dominate, every team is good, and I think Inniscarra have shown that,’ he said.
‘They are a good, strong physical side.’
Approaching Sunday’s game, Steve gave an honest assessment of his side’s chances.
‘Look it’s brilliant to be there, we can stand here and say we are going to have a cut-off it and we will concentrate on our own performance,’ Steve said.
Certainly, Garvan have the firepower up front from the O’Halloran’s and Evan O’Connor to trouble any side, Sean Brady in the half back line is also capable of providing the attack with that extra dimension.
However, with the pitch been subject to the elements of the weather for the past few weeks and hosting a full schedule of games, it could make for a physical encounter.
Ballygarvan will need no reminding of Inniscarra’s intent, as the Muskerry side have never taken a county adult title in football and their sights are fixed on correcting that record.
In addition, it’s only two years since they lifted the Premier Hurling Intermediate County Title, the experience of which will be a positive on their desirers to lift more silverware.
Ballygarvan have been here before in 2008 and 2009, when they fell at the final hurdle to Eire Og and Glanworth, not that they will need reminding.
Ballygarvan, who have had a relatively quiet path to the final, but there has been flashes of inspirations along this year’s journey.
In the round-robin section of the South East Championship, two Kevin Lyon’s goals in as many minutes turned the game on its head against Ballinhassig.
Despite a dashing start to the SE semi-final by Ballymartle, the champions proved patient in their response as they reeled in their opponents.
One thing is certain, winter football always turns up low scoring games and Ballygarvan will have to take all their chances as well as not giving away frees in proximity of their own goal.
With Ballygarvan possessing the better footballers, Inniscarra will possibly try and draw the Carrigdhoun side into a physical contest, helped by the weather conditions.
However, Ballygarvan can do this but they will have to concentrate for the hour and at times ride out the storm.
(credit Ballygarvan GAA Facebook Page)
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