Preview: 5 MFL finals down for decision this week

May 23, 2016

After the heroics of last Saturday its back to the club scene for our minor footballers

After the euphoria of the county minor footballers great win over Dublin on Saturday, attention turns to the finals of the 5 club football leagues in Pairc Tailteann over the next three nights.

Division 1 : Na Fianna v Donaghmore/Ashbourne. Monday 23rd May at 8pm. Referee Paul Mooney

A repeat of the 2015 u-17 final,which Donaghmore/Ashbourne won, this encounter promises to be a close affair. The Enfield men won the earlier round robin stage encounter by a single point and their only blemish in the league stages was a reversal against Skryne. They gained revenge when beating the Taramen in the semi final. It took a replay for Donaghmore/Ashbourne to beat neighbours Ratoath in their semi final. Perhaps surprisingly, the boys in green have no representatives on this years county minor panel while the Devine brothers Ethan and Daniel from Na Fianna are on Barry Callaghans squad. The Enfield club have already tasted success this year in winning both the minor and u-16 Division 1 Hurling League titles, and a hesitant vote goes to them to complete a minor double.

Division 2 : St Vincents/Curraha  v Dunshaughlin. Tuesday 24rd May at 8pm. Referee Pat Nelis.

Going on all results so far in Division 2, this should be a relatively easy win for the combination side. They progressed unbeaten through the group stages and were untroubled in most of the matches. However Dunshaughlin have gone about their task in a quiet manner and overcame Walterstown in the semi final to reach the decider. The black and amber have nothing to lose and will not lack in effort but it would be a major surprise if St Vincents/Curraha don't end up with the silverware.

Division 3 : Oldcastle  v Seneschalstown. Wednesday 25th May at 8pm Referee  Stephen O'Hare

This promises to be one of the best matches of the week. Although Oldcastle were unbeaten in the league stages, their opponents caused a shock in the semi final when beating a fancied Drumconrath/Meath Hill side by 10 points. They have improved gradually as the competition progressed and play a good open brand of football. Oldcastle have been working hard at underage level over the last number of years which cumulated in their first ever minor title in 2015. Former county star, Paddy Gilsenan is in charge of the Oldcastlemen and like their opponents play an open brand of football. A three or four point victory is envisaged for the North Meathmen.

Division 4 : Clann na nGael v Killary Emmets. Tuesday 24th May at 6-30pm Referee Martin Dawson

Both sides lost only one game in the group stages to finish in the top positions and have home advantage for the semi finals which both duly won. Killarys loss in the group stages was to Tuesday nights opponents, but they were short a number of first teamers on the night. The Athboy/Rathcairn side lost to Gael Colmcille who in turn lost to the Syddan/Castletown combination, so trying to predict a winner can be a risky business. On account of their earlier win over the same opposition, the verdict is a Clann na nGael win.

Division 5 : Kilbride v Bective/Dunsany. Monday 23rd May at 6-30pm. Referee Seamus O'Connor.

Unfortunately, there were quite a number of walkovers in this division , but both protagonists in the final have earned their place in the first minor final of the year. The Kilbride club have made massive strides at underage level over the last number of years. They have progressed through the various divisions winning county 7 asides and other underage titles. Their u-16s are currently in division 2 semi finals and several of their players are on Development squads. Bective and Dunsany have combined over recent years to compete at minor level and both clubs have benefitted at adult level. This is their first crack at a minor title and a win would be just rewards for their foresight of combining their resources . However with a number of their players experiencing junior football, Kilbride get the nod to come out on top against the combined side.


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