Killer instinct can help the Hill take final step in IFC title chase
So near yet so far. That's where the four semi-finalists who are in the hunt for the IFC find themselves, including Meath Hill and Ballivor. They, like Castletown and O'Mahonys, can see the big prize - the title - shimmering up in the distance, like a mirage in desert but there's a long way to go to get there. They must still travel across territory full of potholes and pitfalls.
Meath Hill and Ballivor will seek to take a massive step forward on their respective journeys when they meet up at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday, 2pm.
Both teams carry significant form coming into the game, especially Meath Hill. They are undefeated - and that's one of the main reasons why we opt for them to win this game. Everything they have touched has turned to gold this year. So far.
It all started with the Corn na Boinne. They dug deep to defeat Oldcastle in the final of that competition in early April. That form continued in the championship, winning three from three. They have what former Kilkenny manager Brian Cody once termed "the killer instinct at the core " - and he should know. There are other sound reasons for believing they can advance. Take their scoring difference of plus 15 from their three group games. Impressive.
In the quarter-finals Meath Hill faced a very capable Kilbride side and won. Not only that, they won pulling up, their scoreline underpinning the power they have in attack - 3-16 to 2-9. Seven Meath Hill players got on the scoresheet - a very decent spread of scorers indeed, including 'keeper Dominic Yorke who netted from a penalty kick.
Gary Breslin, Ryan Owens and Cormac Sheehy are only three members of a very formidable attack. Meath Hill are a team too that work ferociously hard, constantly chasing and harrying. That comes from players who are hungry. Hungry to win. That's something Ballivor don't lack either. That work ethic. One of the cornerstones of their 2-10 to 0-10 last eight win over Oldcastle was a large quota of turnovers they executed. Players like David Raleigh, Evan Fitzgerald, Brian O'Halloran, Brendan McKeon typify their approach. Relentless in their search for ball. As a collective Ballivor were brilliant against Oldcastle. Can they repeat such a polished team effort?
That 2-10 also suggests a team well capable of translating chances into scores and Ballivor did that effectively but they missed a few too. Chances they should have taken. Shots fell short or went wide. They can't afford to do that against Meath Hill.
Ballivor too had to rely on Thomas Raleigh making two splendid saves while Oldcastle hit the post in the closing minutes. That suggests a certain vulnerability in defence. Meath Hill have the resources, the hunger and that killer instinct to make the most of such a vulnerability.
Verdict: Meath Hill.