Famed Hoops can prevail in close encounter

IFC PREVIEW

Another round of the IFC. Another game between Navan O'Mahonys and Rathkenny. De ja vu all over again only this time it's do or die, this time it really is for real with a big prize up for grabs - a place in the final, and it promises to be a close encounter at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday, 12.30pm. A very close encounter indeed.

Early last month in the second round of the championship the teams played each other in a Group A match. On that occasion O'Mahonys won, but just about, 2-8 to 0-13. They made it through helped by the fact that Rathkenny missed two late decent chances of at least snatching a draw.

Everything indicates Sunday's clash will also come down to fine margins, to the proverbial hop of a ball - but O'Mahonys can win through once again.

There is a lot going for both teams right now, sure. Rathkenny were really on their game when dismissing the challenge of Walterstown in the quarter-finals. Their victory was a powerful statement of intent, their football full of conviction and played at tempo the youthful Blacks found impossible to contain.

Donal Curtis' men had the game sewn up at half-time when they led 1-10 to 0-5. Over the course of the hour, eight players contributed to their scoreline, their focused, sharp-toothed attacks underlining their threat.

That threat was particularly highlighted in they way they created and took their goal just before the interval, the well-structured, fast-paced move, skilfully finished to the net by David Curtis, one of the team's talented young contingent.

The Rathkenny kick out worked well, their passing and movement formidable. They looked like at team hitting form at just the right time but Sunday's opponents are a very different proposition to a young Walterstown outfit who never clicked on the day.

O'Mahonys revealed a great deal about themselves in their 2-10 to 1-9 win over Ballivor at Dunsany. They not only defeated a robust, forceful Ballivor side, they did it after they had Evan Coffey sent off just before the interval.

They briefly fell behind after the break but soon found their rhythm to regain the initiative, helped greatly by a brilliantly taken goal by Ronan Clarke. He came on as a substitute and his presence, and crucial contribution, indicates something else O'Mahonys have - a formidable, if youthful group of players on the bench, who can make a difference in the white heat of battle.

O'Mahonys also have something else. A superbly orchestrated kick-out, the best this observer has seen this summer. Aaron Byrne's kick-outs invariably found their target despite Ballivor's best efforts. When O'Mahonys attack they can do so with lightning thrusts that can greatly discommode a defence.

Rathkenny are team performing well right now but O'Mahonys are too and they can progress to the final.

Verdict - Navan O'Mahonys.