Na fianna can make a serious challenge

Keegan Cup holders Navan O'Mahonys will be expected to win Monday's SFC final against Na Fianna as they bid for back-to-back titles.

However, it may not be that straightforward and a tight contest is anticipated with Na Fianna likely to pose some serious questions for the Navan rearguard.

O'Mahonys captain Gary O'Brien believes that the semi-final test against Dunboyne will stand them in good stead next Monday.

“You can go into a game believing you’re better than you are, maybe it’s no harm we had such a strong test from Dunboyne going into the final,' remarked the O'Mahonys captain.

“We have actually worked very hard on our defence in the past couple of months, but the game against Dunboyne was one of those days when a team was really up for it and they can get a run at you.

'I see Na Fianna as a pretty hungry team, they’ve had their share of disappointments and they are obviously a very talented team as well,” he added.

If it all goes well for him on Monday he will pocket his fourth SFC medal with triumphs already achieved in 2008, 2012 and 12 months ago against Donaghmore/Ashbourne.

Na Fianna captain John Baldwin believes that the expreience his team has gained over the last two years, since they were promoted as IFC champions, will be a big help when they face O'Mahonys.

“We know that we face a huge battle next Monday against Navan O’Mahonys, but there is a great buzz in the parish, the community is getting behind us,” he told the Meath Chronicle.

“We all know that, collectively, we will have to perform better than we have at any stage this year if we hope to get the Keegan Cup out of Navan.

“We have the experience of two years ago (the 2013 final against Summerhill) and that was a bit of a novelty for us, our first final at senior level against our neighbours over the road in Summerhill.

“Eleven players from that team started in the semi-final against Gaeil Colmcille, myself included, and I can definitely see a different attitude now compared to the game in 2013. Once we retain that focus we will be in good shape for the challenge that O’Mahonys will pose,' he added.

PATHS TO THE FINAL

 

FIRST ROUND
Navan O’Mahonys 2-17, Seneschalstown 2-5.
Na Fianna 1-10, Blackhall Gaels 0-12.
SECOND ROUND
Navan O’Mahonys 1-12, Donaghmore/Ashbourne 1-8.
Na Fianna 3-10, Dunshaughlin 1-10.
THIRD ROUND
Navan O’Mahonys 0-15, St Patrick’s 1-12.
Gaeil Colmcille 1-16, Na Fianna 1-8.
FOURTH ROUND
Ballinlough 0-12, Navan O’Mahonys 1-8.
Na Fianna 2-10, Walterstown 0-9.
FIFTH ROUND
Navan O’Mahonys 2-10, Skryne 0-10.
Na Fianna 1-12, Simonstown 0-14.
QUARTER-FINALS
Navan O’Mahonys 1-18, Summerhill 0-9.
Na Fianna 1-15, Donaghmore/Ashbourne 0-11.
SEMI-FINALS
Navan O’Mahonys 0-22, Dunboyne 2-13.
Na Fianna 1-19, Gaeil Colmcille 0-12.

ADMISSION

€15 Adults
€10 Students/OAP with appropriate ID
U-16s (over 14) €3
U14s free

Adult tickets available for sale in Jack Kiernan’s and Super Valu/Centra outlets.