Can Dunderry win - or will it be St Colmcille's?

There is sure to be a big crowd in attendance in Pairc Tailteann on Saturday for what is an attractive double header wit

h the main act the replay of the IFC final between Dunderry and St Colmcille's.
Both sides served up a thrilling contest last Sunday before a large attendance with Dunderry's Luke Martyn slotting over a late point that helped Dunderry earn a draw.

St Colmcille's shipped a heavy blow early on when they had Graham Reilly sent off yet they still led for lenghty spellls.

They looked like they might snatch victory when Ciaran Kelly put them one point ahead with five minutes to play however Dunderry hit back with Martyn's bravely-taken point to leave the teams tied at 0-12 apiece.

St Colmcille's manager Colm Nally spoke about a number of players who had crucial roles such as Niall Ronan and James Conlon.

'Being a professional athlete, one thing that Niall knows is how to be composed under pressure,' he said.

'When you have a young team like that it is brilliant to have someone like Niall in there because he brings a level of composure with him, he leads, he's talking to fellows, and he is getting them to keep calm. He also won one crucial ball for us when our backs were against the wall.

'James Conlon was fantastic, he was impossible to mark and Dunderry had two and three men on him, they were pulling and dragging. I thought, right at the end, he got a shove in the back and David Coldrick missed that as well.

“All in all I'd be delighted with the result and James was outstanding for us,' he added.

Dunderry manager Kevin Dowd siad that his team will be looking to improve on the aspects of their game they fell down on last Sunday.

'Considering we had the extra man we would probably be disappointed not to kick on and win the game. Look, we're delighted to get a second chance,' remarked Dowd.

'We're delighted to be in two finals in the one year, we've the league (A FL Div 3) final to look forward to as well so it's a brilliant year for us, we're getting another crack at the whip, if the boys want it it's there for them no doubt.'

ALSO ON SATURDAY

Bective play Rosenalis (Laois) in the Leinster Club JFC quarter-final at 2pm in Simonstown and Ratoath play Carlow Town in the Leinster Club JHC at ratoath at 2pm.

The Meath Primary Schools Hurling and Camogie finals take place in Trim on Saturday morning from 9.30am as the new format for the competitions is unveiled.