Minor Final set for major battle

It may be overshadowed by the Senior Final but next Saturday's Newtowngore Engineering U17 Division 1 Championship Final promises a clash just as exciting and every bit as hard to call.

Defending champions St Mary's Kiltoghert take on a Allen Gaels Fenagh St Caillins combo who won the Division 1 League title earlier this year and Saturday's clash in Mohill's Philly McGuinness Park could be a sign of things to come in the county.

Saturday will also see the refixed Smith Monumentals IFC Semi-Final take place in Cloone at 1 pm, which will allow Allen Gaels fans to take in both games. Interestingly, a draw after extra-time, not beyond the bounds of possibility, would see the Intermediate Final pushed back by a week in that event.

WHO WILL WIN IT?

Up for grabs!Fenagh Cup is up for grabs as defending champions St Mary's Kiltoghert face Mohill in repeat of last year's Connacht Gold Leitrim SFC Final

It is hard to know who benefits from last Saturday's game falling victim to the weather - Annaduff might get reinforcements from their second string side who lost 1-14 to 1-9  to St Mary's in the Junior Semi-Final, which could strengthen their hand considerably.

One area of concern for the winner is  the tight turnaround before the final. Kiltubrid in the Intermediate and Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins at Senior level had games postponed  and a week after their delayed victories, they both exited the championship at the semi-final.

Back to an intriguing Minor Final where St Mary's are attempting to defend their title and an Allen Gaels Fenagh St Caillins team that isn't overly popular in some quarters. St Mary's numbers had other clubs looking on enviously while amalgamations beyond the normal ones often induce annoyance and hysteria. 

St Mary's dominance of the underage scene saw has seen them win the Division 1 championship at U13 and U15 level in recent weeks and back to back titles at U17 level would reinforce the growing notion that if they can ensure the transition of these players to adult level, the Carrick men could be  turning into an unstoppable force in the years to come.

Amalgamations are  tricky subjects - some hate them, some see the benefit of providing the highest level of competition for clubs who might not have the numbers to compete otherwise. It is not a new phenomenon  - Sheemore Gaels won a Senior title in the 1970s while more recently, a Fenagh Gortletteragh combo won Minor and U21 crowns so the precedent is there.

In fairness, Allen Gaels Fenagh St Caillins have done it the right way, confining their selection to players to those in the actual Minor age group from Over 15 to U17 and it has paid off - it might be the way for more clubs to go, certainly some are thinking that way at adult level!

Fears that they'd run roughshod over all proved groundless with Glencar Manorhamilton testing them to the limit in the League Final while St Mary's handed them a 2-13 to 1-13 defeat in the group stages although the combo were without James Gilheaney that day and that is a major absentee.

Both teams played Annaduff in this year's championship, St Mary's winning by nine points, Allen Gaels Fenagh by seven in the semi-final but in the League, Allen Gaels Fenagh stormed to a 2-21 to 1-10 victory over St Mary's  although the Carrick men were missing a few key players in that encounter.

Both teams are liberally sprinkled with members of this year’s County Minor team - Allen Gaels Oran Foley and Fenagh St Caillins Colm McLoughlin, Dara Greenan, James Gilheaney and Ruairi O’Rourke were all starters for the Green & Gold compared to Darragh Gardiner and Brian Keaney landing regular starting spots.

But in the extended squad, St Mary’s had Liam Crowe, Aaron Gardiner, Cian Reynolds, Senan Bohan, Josh Maye, Daire Shannon & Niall Stenson which demonstrates their strength in depth that could prove vital on the day but in Killian Mulvey, Daniel O'Loughlin, Adam Reynolds and Ray McGarry, Allen Gaels Fenagh won't lack for quality.

Interestingly, both teams will feel their up against it and both will feel pressure - there is undoubtedly pressure on the young St Mary's lads to maintain the club's run of success but Allen Gaels Fenagh were very impressive winning the League and that  also creates pressure.

Postponed Intermediate Semi-Final refixed as Minor Final switched to Saturday

Picking a winner here feels almost impossible because juvenile games can turn in an instant - James Gilheaney and Josh Maye are possible match winners but you never know in a game like this. Either way, neither team will take the other for granted next Saturday.

My hunch is Allen Gaels Fenagh St Caillins have a slight edge but I wouldn't put money on it in a contest that could be the game of the weekend.