IFC Final Focus: Dunshaughlin tipped for swift return to senior ranks

IT is not always the case that the two best team make it to the final but there can be few arguments about the right of Dunshaughlin and Duleek/Bellewstown to contest this Saturday's Intermediate football decider at Pairc Tailteann (4pm).

They have been the two standout teams in the grade and their clash at this ultimate stage has the ingredients to be a thriller. Dunshaughlin have been favourites to make an immediate return to senior ranks from an early stage and apart from a slight wobble in their quarter-final against Rathkenny they have lived up to those expectations.

Duleek/Bellewstown were also short-listed for outright honours from the start of the campaign and while they have the capacity to match any team in the grade, a lack of consistency has been their Achilles heel. There was never any doubting their ability to turn on the style and they showed that in spades in their semi-final trouncing of Dunderry.

It was that display that has greatly increased the combined side's chances of success and anything close to that showing will make this a very interesting clash.

That Duleek/Bellewstown performance will have sent confidence sky high and it was one that they needed if they were to have a chance in the final.

Their previous visit to Pairc Tailteann wasn't a particularly satisfying one as they went down tamely to Meath Hill in the group stages. However they bounced back in the best possible style and showed that they were capable of producing a big display at 'headquarters.'

Joe Sheridan's men also demonstrated another side of their game throughout this campaign, their ability to cope with pressure when it mattered most. Anything less than victory in their final group match against Rathkenny, the team that ended their hopes at the quarter final stage in 2021, would have seen them edged out of a knockout spot by Meath Hill.

Duleek/Bellewstown had to dig deep that day to eke out the win and they showed similar character in the quarter-final against neighbours St Patrick's which they won following a penalty shootout.

The game seemed beyond them when they trailed by a point deep into added time but they managed an equaliser to send the game to extra-time. Then in the penalty shootout they showed nerves of steel to prevail.

Dunshaughlin's path was a little more straight forward, apart from that fright in the quarter-final when they needed a late goal from substitute Conor Jennings to see off the challenge of a dogged Rathkenny.

They ran up impressive tallies in all of their group matches against Kilmainham, St Patrick's, Blackhall Gaels and Bective and maybe the lack of competitiveness in those game was a factor when they came up against Rathkenny. Whatever the reason it proved a wake up call and normal service was restored as they finished well clear of Nobber in the semi-final.

The tallies chalked up in their semi-finals, 2-18 for Dunshaughlin and 4-17 for Duleek-Bellewstown, suggest that this could turn into a shootout by the respective set of forwards.

Both teams possess the firepower and in the likes of Luke Mitchell, Mathew Costello, Ruairi Kinsella, John McDonagh and Mathew Moyles should ensure that Dunshaughlin are not struggling on the scoreboard.

Will Duleek/Bellewstown be able to match them in that department? Well John Flood, Alan Bowden, Jamie Crosby and Ciaran Flynn, who is having his best ever season, rarely fail to deliver, midfielder Shane Crosby can be relied upon to bomb forward from midfield and cause problems while Sam O'Leary, Oisin Miland and the impressive Tom Bowden are also capable of surging forward and picking off a score.

The midfield tussle will likely be an interesting one with Crosby tasked with marking the towering Conor Gray and both will be determined not to allow the other win clean possession.

Much will depend on how county player Robin Clarke marshals his defence and not allow himself be pulled out of position by the elusive Ruairi Kinsella. With two big men on the inside forward line in Mitchell and Costello Duleek/Bellewstown's aerial prowess could well be tested in the early stages.

Forwards usually decide games but this one could come down to the defence that copes best with their opposite number. Dunshaughlin nullified the threat of Nobber dangerman Sean Meade with Oisin Foley doing a great man marking job. The corner back could be tasked with a similar role on Saturday.

Dunshaughlin has an experienced back line and a youthful attack, their opponents have a mixture of both in their respective areas. Duleek/Bellewstown might find it much more difficult to get scores as freely against a team of the calibre of Dunshaughlin and that could leave them struggling.

The vote goes to Dunshaughlin to make a quick return to senior ranks.