by John O'Brien

And then there were two. Ratoath and Nobber go into battle this coming Sunday for the right to be crowned Meade Potato Co Intermediate Football Champions 2015.

The game throws in at 3.45pm on Sunday afternoon in Pairc Tailteann, Navan. Both sides will be confident that they can lift the Mattie McDonnell Cup and operate in the senior grade next year.

Both teams are unbeaten in their seven championship outings to date with Ratoath having a 100% winning record and Nobber winning five and drawing one out of their seven matches.

Nobber have twice previously lifted the Mattie McDonnell Cup - 1980 and 2010 while Ratoath have never won the Meath IFC before.

The Nobber squad that defeated Cortown in Carnaross

We take a look at how both teams championship campaigns have gone this year and how they have advanced to the final of the competition.

Paths to the Final

Ratoath
Round 1 - Ratoath 6 - 11 v 0 - 12 Trim
Round 2 - Ratoath 3 - 10 v 1 - 9 Castletown
Round 3 - Ratoath 2 - 18 v 3 - 7 Dunderry
Round 4 - Ratoath 1 - 16 v 0 - 5 Ballivor
Round 5 - Ratoath 3 - 8 v 0 - 6 St Ultans
Quarter-final - Ratoath 4 - 10 v 0 - 8 Ballinabrackey
Semi-final - Ratoath 1 - 13 v 0 - 10 St Colmcilles

Fergal Power's charges have scored an incredible 20 goals in 7 championship games. They have scored 20 - 86 so far in their championship campaign. Their average score is 3 - 12 per championship match.

Ratoath were winners over Dunderry in Walterstown

They are quite solid as a defensive unit having conceded 4 - 57 in the championship. On average they concede 0.6 - 8 per game. Only Castletown (1) and Dunderry (3) have managed to score goals against the County Junior Champions of 2012. Trim (12) and St Colmcilles (10) are the only two sides who have kicked 10 points or more against the Ratoath men.

Nobber
Round 1 - Nobber 1 - 14 v 1 - 9 St Michaels
Round 2 - Nobber 2 - 10 v 0 - 5 Cortown
Round 3 - Nobber 0 - 15 v 0 - 8 Donaghmore/Ashbourne
Round 4 - Nobber 1 - 10 v 0 - 13 Kilmainham
Round 5 - Nobber 2 - 12 v 0 - 5 Clann na nGael
Quarter-final - Nobber 2 - 18 v 2 - 9 Castletown
Semi-final - Nobber 0 - 16 v 1 - 11 Trim (AET)

The North Meath men have racked up some impressive score lines also. They have kicked 8 - 95 in their championship campaign to date. On average they score 1 - 14 per championship match.

Nobber's Sean Meade

Defensively Dudley Farrell's charges have been quite solid, having kept a clean sheet in four out of their seven matches. They have conceded 4 - 60 in their championship campaign to date. On average they concede 0.6 - 9 per championship match. Similarly to Ratoath there are only two sides who have kicked double figures against the Nobber men - Kilmainham (13) and Trim (11).

Meetings so far this year
The two sides have already met twice this year, once in the league and once in the Corn na Boinne. Nobber came out on top on both occasions.

27/5/15 Corn Na Boinne Cup Semi-Final - Nobber 3 - 13 v 1 - 13 Ratoath
17/6/15 Round 9 All County Football A League Division 2 - Nobber 5 - 12 v 2 - 12 Ratoath

Last Championship Meeting
2006 IFC Round 6 Group Stage Nobber 1 - 11 v 2 - 3 Ratoath (Played in Seneschalstown)

Championship record over the last three seasons

Ratoath
Over the last 3/4 years the Ratoath club have grown massively and have been making huge progress. They won the Meath JFC in 2012. They reached the quarter-final of the IFC in 2013 narrowly losing out to eventual winners Gaeil Colmcille. In 2014 they were knocked out by the minimum at the semi-final stage at the hands of Ballinabrackey.

Ratoath's Brian Power

Nobber
Having won the IFC in 2010 under the guidance of Davy Cahill, Nobber competed in the senior grade for three seasons. In 2012 there were a non-qualifier and didn't make it through the group stages. In 2013 they suffered relegation after drawing with Oldcastle and being narrowly defeated by Dunshaughlin. In 2014 they narrowly avoided a second successive relegation to the junior ranks after defeating Carnaross in a relegation play-off.

Focus on the Big Match
Ratoath are one of the most talked about clubs in the county in recent times. The majority of people within Meath county circles see them as a future top senior club. It's difficult to argue with that statement. They have been producing a serious amount of quality young talented footballers the last number of years. They currently possess five senior county footballers including Conor McGill, Brian Power, Bryan McMahon, Eamon Wallace and Joey Wallace.

Over the last three seasons, they have made steady progress winning the JFC in 2012, reaching an IFC quarter-final the following year and being pipped by Ballinabrackey at the semi-final stage last year. It's only a matter of time until Ratoath are playing senior football. The big question is - will that be next season?

The prize - The Mattie McDonnell Cup

Dudley Farrell's charges will be hoping they can spoil the party. The North Meath men have been impressive this year in all competitions. They narrowly missed out on promotion to Division One of the league and have already tasted success this year in lifting the Corn Na Boinne.

Nobber have some skilful footballers including Alan Farrell at midfield, Jamie Owens, Sean Meade and former county star Brian Farrell. Nobber manager Dudley Farrell will be hoping to add another championship title to his collection. In 2005 he guided St Michaels to the Meath JFC title and in 2010 he won the Cavan SFC with Kingscourt Stars.

Nobber have been defensively sound in their championship campaign so far not leaking too many goals. The likes of Brian Meade at full back and Richie Shields at centre back will certainly have their hands full with the pacey Ratoath forward line.

Referee Martin Griffin

An important area where the game could be won or lost is the Ratoath half-forward line/Nobber half-back line. The Deesiders halfback line of Gerard Campbell, Shields and Brendan Heffernan will have to keep a tight eye on the skilful trio of Eamon Wallace, Bobby O'Brien and Bryan McMahon.

Another key area on Sunday will be the midfield battle. Ratoath's Cian O'Brien and Nobber's Alan Farrell will know each other well from playing alongside one another for the Meath juniors this year. Whoever comes out on top here will be a big deciding factor on the outcome of the game.

A lot may depend on who gets the ball in quickest to their inside forward line. The Ratoath attack are all dangerous, including the county men and corner forward Conor Rooney. Each one of them can be lethal on their day and are capable of notching up huge scores. Nobber are also well capable upfront with the Farrell brothers (Brian and Niall), Owens, Fiachra McEntee and Sean Meade in particular when on form he is hard to stop.

Ratoath are the bookies favourites and can be got at odds of 1/4. It's easy to see why they are favourites with the talented panel of players they possess and the massive score lines they have notched up in the championship to date. Nobber however are used to playing big teams on big days having operated in the senior grade recently. There is no doubting that a Dudley Farrell inspired team will have 100% belief and focus on the tough task that awaits them. This game could be a lot closer than the bookies suggest. They may have to fight it out another day. Don't be surprised if this game ends in a draw.

Verdict - Draw

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