St. Colmcilles and Dunderry will go head to head this Sunday in the Meade Potato Co sponsored IFC final in a bid to climb to the senior football championship ranks. Dunderry last won the Intermediate championship in 1990 while St Colmcilles were champions two years previously. in 1995 Dunderry claimed the Keegan Cup but both clubs have had lean times in the past years.

From the outset of the championship St Colmcilles were installed as favourites. The Bettystown outfit sailed through Group A with maximum points from five outings and in the process scoring a very impressive 11 goals and 76 points in the process. 

Dunderry's form in Group C has been imixed with three wins, a draw and a loss. The former Keegan Cup winners have not been as prolific in front of the posts as the Cilles either with a total of 8 goals and 67 points over their seven games on the way to the final.

St Colmcilles held their own in Division 1 of the all County Football League after gaining promotion last year with Gaeil Colmcille. Colm Nally's charges finished with eight points from their 13 outings and face Blackhall Gaels in a Div 1/2 playoff to decide their league fate for 2017. 

Dunderry have a Division 3 final to look forward too after finishing runners up to Syddan. Ted Dowd's men won 8, drew 2 and lost 2 on the way to the final.

The destination of the Mattie McDonnell will depend on the performances of the 'Big Players'. Graham Reilly has been in inspired form for the Cilles this season. Even when he was well held in that extra time semi final win over Walterstown the county man finished with 1-6 to his name. Former county minor keeper Jordan Brown is very solid in goals and his kickouts are very important to his team's performance. Adam Lynch, Ciaran Ward and Joe Sweeney are very solid defenders. Robbie McCluskey complements Reilly in the middle of the park. The Colmcilles attack is very impressive. The work rate of former Munster and Ireland rugby player Niall Ronan and the scoring power of Ben Brennan, Ciaran Kelly and Meath minor James Conlon will give Dunderry plenty of problems.

Dunderry have been the surprise packets in the IFC this year. They have an experienced team coupled with some very fine younger players. David Jennings in goals, very little gets past Aaron Newman, Conor Dempsey, Martin Garry and play maker 'Swiss' Clarke in defence. Paddy Kennelly has the ability to give Colmcilles serious problems around the middle of the park. In attack Dunderry will look to ace marksman Stephen Coogan for the majority of their scores and a another big effort from Luke Martyn, Conor Farrell and Simon Carty.

Paths to the final

Round 1

St Colmcilles 5-14 Syddan 1-8
Dunderry 2-5 Curraha 0-9

Round 2
St Colmcilles 0-16 Nobber 1-10
Dunderry 1-10 Kilmainham 2-6

Round 3 
St Colmcilles 4-15 Nobber 1-13
Dunderry 0-8 Donaghmore Ashbourne 0-12

Round 4
St Colmcilles 2-17 Ballivor 2-7
Dunderry 0-14 Drumbaragh 1-11

Round 5
St Colmcilles 0-14 Cortown 0-5
Dunderry 2-9 St Michaels 0-11

Quarter Final
St Colmcilles 1-17 Curraha 1-11
Dunderry 2-9 Trim 0-7

Semi Final
St Colmcilles 2-19 Walterstown 0-16
Dunderry 1-12 Ballinabrackey 0-10

Teams and scorers from the semi finals

St Colmcille's - Jordan Brown; Adam Lynch, Eoin Woods, Ciaran Ward; Jamie McDonnell, Joe Sweeney, Ian Mullen; Graham Reilly (1-6, 0-2fs), Robbie McCluskey (0-1); Ciaran Kelly (1-4, 1-0 pen, 0-2 fs), Ben Brennan (0-1f), Ruairi O'Grady; Jack Reynolds, Niall Ronan, James Conlon (0-5). Subs - David O'Byrne (0-1) for O'Grady, John McKenna for Woods, David Sheerin for Reynolds, Conor O'Byrne (0-1) for Kelly. Extra-time - Daragh Brodigan for Lynch, Danny McMahon for McDonnell, Sean Collier for McCloskey.

Dunderry - David Jennings; Aaron Newman, David McCormack (c), Conor Dempsey; Darren Callaghan, Damien Clarke, Martin Garry; Patrick Kennelly (0-4), Liam Dempsey (0-1); Mark Kane, Luke Martyn (0-1), Stephen Coogan (1-3, 1-0 pen, 0-2 fs, 1 45); Alan Watters, Conor Farrell (0-2), Simon Carty (0-1). Subs - Jack Brady for Dempsey, Shane Maguire for Kane.

The fixture

Dunderry v St Colmcilles Sunday October 16th at 15.45pm in Pairc Tailteann Referee David Coldrick

Our Verdict

St Colmcilles

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