Aughavas hot favourites but Drumreilly pedigree means nothing can be taken for granted in intriguing Junior decider

If we've learned anything from this Leitrim Club championship season, it is that favourites are favourites for a reason and that's probably why Aughavas are feeling both confident and nervous ahead of next Sunday's Fresh Today Junior A Final in Heartland Credit Union Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada.

Aiming to follow the example of Leitrim Gaels  & Allen Gaels and even Glencar Manorhamilton Ladies, Aughavas may be buoyed by the notion that they are tipped to lift the Frank Reynolds Cup on Sunday but they'll be wary too ... and they have good reason to be!

Drumreilly, in the Senior ranks just five years ago and caught up in the cull of teams from the Intermediate grade last year, are the sort of team who loved to upset the odds, defy predictions, particularly when it is the neighbours involved!

On the face of it, the stats from this year's competition favours Aughavas - Aughavas averaged 20.6 points per game while only conceding 9.2 ppg, a remarkable stat considering their first game was a one point win over Aughnasheelin. Drumreilly's scoring has been equally impressive - 18.6 ppg with a defensive return of 13.4 ppg and they too won their group, securing an  automatic spot in the semi finals.

But delve into the figures and you see that Aughavas had two second string teams in Glencar Manorhamilton and Melvin Gaels in their group while Drumreilly had a Mohill team who had the likes of Keith Beirne and Jordan Reynolds getting game time in their games, making Group 1 a much tougher proposition.

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Both teams have been transformed in recent years, enforced by the loss of players through emigration and retirement but both have marched through this grade with a bit of class.

Eanna McNamara is quite rightly the headline act for Aughavas - a County Senior & U20 star, McNamara carries that bit of class that marks him out. An outstanding defender, McNamara has the ability to change games when he charges into attack.

With Fiachra Casey at full-back, Paul Bohan at centre back and midfielders Eoin Kenny & Shane O'Brien, Aughavas are a very solid outfit and you couldn't but be impressed by the way they shut Aughnasheelin out of the game in the second half of their semi-final in Gortletteragh.

Upfront, Aughavas have lost some solid performers in recent years but the emergence of the Shortt brothers, Joey McBrien and Conor Canning means they have scores coming from everywhere. Darren & Adrian Shortt, in particular, are real handfuls in attack and they will cause damage if they get enough supply.

Drumreilly have been rejuvenated over the last season and a half, an influx of young players giving them a new energy. There are still wise heads there in keeper Nigel Maguire and Jimmy Holohan upfront and considering how long he has been lining out for Drumreilly, Conor Gaffney probably qualifies as a veteran even though he is only 28 or 29.

Gaffney is the sharp end of the Drumreilly stick, the man who can deliver scores but to concentrate on him solely would be to do a dis-service to Peter Prior, Stephen Meissner, Conor Edwards and Darragh McNiff who have impressed with their directness and energy.

In defence, Archie O'Connor looks a prospect at centre-back but what really stands out about Drumreilly's defence is their one for all approach, everyone going 100 miles an hour with bodies dropping back to get the tackles in.

One would think we could be in for a titanic battle if Eanna McNamara picks up Conor Gaffney, which would seem the sensible move - Gaffney was once the brightest talent of a superb Leitrim Minor team but injuries have plagued the Drumreilly man but the talent remains.

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One wonders if asking McNamara to shadow Gaffney might rob Aughavas of that unpredictable factor going forward - we all know what McNamara can do with ball in hand but, at this time of the year with the weather we get, a destructive effort might yield better results.

No more than Leitrim Gaels and Allen Gaels, Aughavas carry the burden of favouritism - they will play their League football in Division 1 next year and they are probably, all round, a slightly younger team. Their results rightly have them down as favourites but favourites have been known to stumble.

Drumreilly won't care about favourites or underdogs or anything like that - they will battle as if their lives depend on it and they will best Aughavas in a way they might not have been so far in this year's championship.

But as it often does, finals come down to who performs near their best on the day - all we can go on is form. Aughavas would appear to be hitting the high notes that bit more frequently and if the game is open and free flowing, they have the scoring power to do real damage.

If Drumreilly can make it a war, drag Aughavas into a fight, it will get very interesting. Aughavas probably have an edge off the bench but that doesn't always translate into the heat of a Final. It will be tight and hard fought but Aughavas get the nod to prevail.