Questions galore in semi-final showdown

Questions, questions, questions -  three champions and the current League kingpins line out next Sunday for the Connacht Gold SFC Semi-Finals in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada with the Fenagh Cup  within touching distance for the best four teams in the county.

Hitting form right now is not just desired, it is imperative so the teams that deliver best on their potential, that manage to knock their opponents out of their comfort zone and deliver on their game plan will go forward to a County Final that will be front and centre for the entire country when it is televised on TG4 on Sunday October 8.

Chatting with supporters before and after Ballinamore’s quarter final victory over Glencar Manorhamilton last Sunday, all you get is questions and a feeling that any one of the four remaining teams could lift the Cup, making this one hell of an attractive double header next Sunday in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada.

Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins eventually find the target to see off Glencar Manorhamilton

BALLINAMORE SEAN O'HESLINS 4-13 GLENCAR MANORHAMILTON 1-13

We take a quick look at both games and make an educated guess on how it is all going to pan out!

FENAGH ST CAILLINS V MOHILL

Questions litter the build-up to this contest - are Fenagh St Caillins unstoppable after their demolition of Leitrim Gaels or did it leave them undercooked ahead of a titanic struggle with their neighbours? Are Mohill incredibly coming in under the radar and hitting form at just the right time?

The fact that these teams fought out a thrilling draw in the group stages does little to answer those questions although there are caveats within that game - Mohill surged late to grab a draw and might even have won it but Fenagh finished the game with 13 player after Conor Dwyer was sent off and Ryan O’Rourke was black carded.

Remember too that the mercurial Fenagh man didn’t actually start the game, only coming on as a sub and you’ve got to feel that O’Rourke, individually, and Fenagh, as a team, are in a much better place with Ryan in flying form and that has got to count for something.

But Mohill are the county’s great disruptors, capable of taking any team down and they’ll feel that they are only beginning to hit form right now. They drew with Fenagh and handed champions St Mary’s Kiltoghert their first loss in the group and in Keith Beirne, they have a forward every bit as dangerous and influential as Ryan O’Rourke.

Ryan O'Rourke goals for Fenagh in the group stages draw with Mohill Picture: Willie Donnellan

Their big question is whether Jordan Reynolds will line out next Sunday - the whispers are that the young flyer is nearing full fitness but match sharpness may not be fully there but if he is available, Mohill’s chances increase exponentially.

As much attention as there will be on Keith and Ryan and who might try to restrict their impact, the battle for supremacy is likely to be decided in the middle of the park. Fenagh’s middle eight were supreme against Leitrim Gaels but the St Caillins supporters are worried that they didn’t get truly tested in the quarter-final.

Mohill’s half-back line is the bedrock of their team with Shane Quinn, Alan Tuthill and David Mitchell capable of knocking any attack, no matter how high powered, off their game. Throw in Domhnaill Flynn, Keith Keegan and the Harkins and Mohill’s ball winning ability is sure the equal of Fenagh.

The notion that Fenagh are a team on a mission is hard to shift - Donal Wrynn is in imperious form, Jack Gilheaney is dominating at centre-back and the way St Caillins compact the space in their defence, allowing for quick transition to the O’Rourkes has been the formula for success for many a team.

BALLINAMORE SEAN O’HESLINS V ST MARY’S KILTOGHERT

St Mary’s have long held the mantle of favourites to regain the Fenagh Cup but there is a feeling out there that the Carrick men may be vulnerable and that a Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins team hitting form at just the right time may be the team to end their dream of retaining the Fenagh Cup for the very first time.

Maybe, it was all too easy for St Mary’s but they’ve got two rude bumps on the road - losing the League Final after extra-time to Fenagh and Mohill recovering from a three point deficit to win by three were losses that have you wondering if the champions are starting to struggle.

That’s a hard question to answer - the fact that there were almost certainly guaranteed a semi-final spot regardless of the final game may have played its part but there was no denying that when the pressure came on, St Mary’s were passive and coughed up possession far too much.

What that Mohill loss, however, did show is that Paul Keaney could be deadly effective in at full-forward and after Ballinamore struggling for a while to quell Peter Poinard, could Alan Flynn throw the Leitrim star in at number 14, with Jack Casey buzzing dangerously around him?

The midfield battle will be a key area for St Mary's against Ballinamore next Sunday Picture: Willie Donnellan

That is a question Ballinamore have got to answer - O’Heslins were not too far off suffering a championship ambush last Sunday with the failure to convert chances almost costing them. Mickey Graham’s side could have had eight goals with a bit more clinical finishing and while the misses are concerning, the fact they created them must be a worry for St Mary’s.

Ballinamore’s big worry is recovering from Sunday’s exertions against Glencar Manor and hoping they have a clean bill of health, particularly the lively Paul Moran. But off-setting the physical tiredness is the mental boost and Ballinamore’s players will be buzzing right now and fear nobody.

Plus they know how to win - it is easy to overlook their championship win in 2021 as if it is in the dim and distant past while they have a good record against St Mary’s, demolishing them with goals that year to set up their final run.

These teams didn’t meet in the championship but finished level on points, St Mary’s grabbing the automatic semi-final spot thanks to scoring difference. Strangely, both teams were content with their paths to the semi-final, St Mary’s appreciating the three week break to get some work done and Ballinamore feeling the extra game has done them the world of good.

VERDICT

Ask me this a couple of weeks ago and I'd have gone for Fenagh and St Mary's without hesitation but now, I'm not so sure -  maybe it is an element of hedging my bets or just things have tightened up considerably as teams time their championship run to perfection.

 All four teams are impressive physical units with potential match winners all round the field. All four have strength in depth, some a bit more than others and that could prove crucial as I expect an attritional physical battle in both games while weather conditions may yet make underfoot conditions very draining for players.

Champions kept apart in intriguing Connacht Gold Leitrim SFC Semi-Final draw

St Mary's Kiltoghert face Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins and Fenagh St Caillins take on Mohill in Senior Semi-Finals next weekend

There is a suspicion that Mohill are peaking at just the right time and are coming in without the usual hype, which is being heaped upon Fenagh. Mohill are well able to deal with that and they'll relish this contest but form would suggest Fenagh St Caillins have the edge - two dismissals cost them in the group game and they have improved greatly since then.

Form  also suggests St Mary's and their loss to Mohill was a huge wake-up call. Ballinamore will test them to the limit and if they get goals, as they can, they'll be hard to beat but St Mary's strength is in their defence so we're in for a battle royale. 

So as far as predictions go, I'll go for Fenagh St Caillins and St Mary's Kiltoghert to prevail next Sunday.