Big ambitions in clash of two powerhouses as Allen Gaels face Strokestown

Having been favourites for almost all  year to win their  respective Intermediate championships, Allen Gaels & Strokestown now do battle to extend their seasons and perhaps bring home the AIB Connacht Intermediate title when they meet next Saturday  in King & Moffatt Hyde Park at 1.30.

Allen Gaels were the hottest of hot favourites all year and they delivered on that status with a series of dominant performances to lift the Frank Reynolds Cup and while they stressed that they never looked beyond their next game, it was notable in the aftermath of their victory over Dromahair that many of their players spoke openly of targeting Connacht.

And they have good reason to do so - few teams coming out of the second grade in Leitrim are as well balanced amd certainly not with the same firepower that Allen Gaels possess. Kieran Kilcline adds a clinical edge to the Gaels but they have scores coming from everywhere and a growing confidence that they can achieve big things.

Trouble for them is that they come face to face with a Strokestown team who wore the same mantle of heavy favourites in Roscommon. Remarkably, it was only three years ago that Strokestown won the Senior title but relegation and reboot followed and now they set their sights at Connacht.

Interestingly, 11 of the players who helped Strokestown past a Conor Cox inspired Eire Og in the Roscommon Final saw action in the 2022 Roscommon SFC Final so they aren't short of quality - Sean Mullooly & Colin Compton among their most famous names.

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Compared to Allen Gaels, Strokestown had to work a bit harder in Roscommon, beating St Brigid’s second string by four points, Shannon Gaels by seven and hammering Kilbride in the first round. A comfortable 15 point win over Creggs in the quarter-final was followed by a dramatic 3-12 to 2-13 victory over Fuerty in the semi-final.

A two pointer in injury saw them snatch the victory before they accounted for Eire Og in the final 2-13 to 0-15, goals from Keith Murphy and Evan Moran crucial.

One area Allen Gaels will hope to exploit is midfield where Strokestown struggled in their County Final and in Radek Oberwan & Brian Mulvey, the Gaels have a potent pair. But the fact that Strokestown still won while being overshadowed in that sector shows they have a very potent forward line.

Shane McGinley, Keith Murphy, Kevin Finn and Diarmuid McGann are dangers in attack while their veteran core of David Neary, Seán Mullooly and captain Colin Compton gives them great solidity.

In another twist, Strokestown recently played Leitrim Gaels in a challenge game, starting with three quick goals before suffering a loss, giving an indication of the strength of the challenge Strokestown pose.

The Drumshanbo men won't have faced a challenge of this calibre in the Leitrim championship all year but, as we've said before, the Gaels would more than hold their own at Senior level in Leitrim so now we wonder how does that translate into taking on Roscommon opposition.

If anything, this will be the first game where Allen Gaels won't start as favourites even if one expects them to go well and I'm sure they will embrace that challenge. They have suffered a blow with the loss of Colin Moran with a serious injury and that will affect their options off the bench.

Provincial games can take on lives of their own but this Allen Gaels team are different from what has come out of the county for a long time, probably since Ballinamore won the Intermediate in 2016. Strokestown are a different calibre of opponent certainly but I get the feeling that that won't bother the Gaels unduly - if they get a good run, watch out!