The most eagerly awaited final in years sees neighbours Drumbaragh and Kilmainham battle it out for the right to be called Teach na Teamhrach Meath Junior Football Championship winners.

Both teams topped their groups and neither lost a game. Kilmainham's record shows that they played four, won four scored 84 points and conceded a miserable 16. Drumbaragh won their five games to qualify for the quarter-final scoring 110 points and conceded 42. Their round three victory over Duleek-Bellewstown caused a bit of a stir when the Emmets rattled in 11-20. On their way to the decider Drumbaragh have scored a very impressive 21 goals.

The squads

Drumbaragh: John Rennicks, Peter Brady, Trevor Lynch, Sean Caffrey, Stephan Kavanagh, Daniel McManus, Mark Smith, Paul McManus, Gary McCormack, Seanie Bennett, John Madden, Colin Forde, Paddy Murray, DJ Carry, Damien Carry, Willie Arkins, John D Smith, Brian Forde, Martin Kavanagh, Thomas Carry, James Connolly, Darragh McNamara, John Morrisey, William Carry, Noel Corcoran, Peter Carry, Colm Carry, Enda Nulty, John Smith, Ryan Farnham.

Kilmainham: Peter Smith, Shane Butler, Stephen Newman, Jonathan Quigley, Stephen Woods, Davy Farnan, Darren O'Sullivan, Fergal Black, Kevin Jordan, Declan Nelson, Ros Mooney, Mark Fallon, Joe Mahon, Pat O'Sullivan, Ger Morgan, Michael Newman, Michael Mahon, Seanie Mahon, Shane Morgan, Paddy Hennigan, Harry Newman, Mark Newman, Barry Lynch, Trevor Lynch.

Results to date

Round 1
Drumbaragh 3-12 Navan O'Mahonys 2-8
Kilmainham 0-10 Moylagh 0-5

Round 2
Drumbaragh 1-13 Curraha 0-10
Kilmainham 2-19 Kilbride 0-2

Round 3
Drumbaragh 3-11 Bective 1-13
Kilmainham 5-12 Drumconrath 0-7

Round 4
Drumbaragh 11-20 Duleek Bellewstown 0-0
Kilmainham 4-10 Dunsany 0-5

Round 5
Drumbaragh w/o from Skryne

Quarter Finals
Drumbaragh 0-13 Meath Hill 1-4
Kilmainham 3-13 Dunshaughlin 1-8

Semi Finals
Drumbaragh 3-11 Cortown 2-7
Kilmainham 1-10 Dunboyne 0-11

Managers

Finian Murtagh Drumbaragh and John Tiernan Kilmainham


Key men

Drumbaragh - Willie Arkins, William Carry, John Smith, Ryan Farnham, Peter Carry, Colm Carry, James Connolly and Darragh McNamara.

Kilmainham - Ros Mooney, Joe Mahon, Seanie Mahon, Barry Lynch, Mark Newman, Gerard Morgan and Mickey Newman.

Last Meeting

We only have to go back to late August for their last meeting. Pairc Tailtenn provided the setting for the Tailteann Cup final. Drumbaragh ended up winners on a 3-8 to 2-9 scoreline. Kilmainham's county star Mickey Newman created havoc in the opening 15 minutes as the Navan road outfit raced into a 1-3 to 0-0 lead. A Darragh McNamara goal brought Drumbaragh back in to the game but a second green flag raised by Newman gave Kilmainham a 2-5 to 1-5 interval lead.

Thomas Carry goaled and the teams were level early in the second half. Between the 15th and 25th minute Finian Murtagh's men hit a purple patch scoring 1-3 which effectively sealed the game.

The teams that day were:

Drumbaragh: William Arkins, John D Smith, Brian Forde, Paddy Murray, John Morrissey, William Carry 0-1, Noel Corcoran, John Smith 0-4, Ryan Farnham, Peter Carry, Colm Carry 0-1, Enda Nulty, Thomas Carry 1-1, James Connolly, Darragh McNamara 1-1. Subs: DJ Carry 1-0

Kilmainham: Declan Nelson, Ros Mooney, Mark Fallon, Joe Mahon, Michael Mahon, Seanie Mahon, Shane Morgan, Barry Lynch, Trevor Lynch, Fergal Black, Harry Newman, Mark Newman 0-1, Pat O'Sullivan 0-1, Gerard Morgan 0-2, Michael Newman 2-4. Subs: Davy Farnan, Shane Butler 0-1

Key Questions

How much of a loss will Brian Forde be to Drumbaragh?

Will Kilmainham keep All Star nominee Mickey Newman on the edge of the square?

Can the Kilmainham defence cope with the pace of the Drumbaragh forwards?

Can the Drumbaragh midfield pairing of John Smith and Ryan Farnham break the dominance that Barry Lynch had in the middle of the park on Tailteann Cup final day?

How much will Kilmainham depend on Mickey Newman for scores?

Will final day nerves get to the teams who know each other so well both on and off the pitch?

In one word - Kilmainham Tweet

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