The replay of this year’s Claregalway Hotel Intermediate Football Championship final between Oughterard and Micheál Breathnach takes place in Pearse Stadium on Saturday (3.30pm ).
Thet two sides must go head-to-head once again after their titanic battle just under two weeks ago finished in a 0-14 to 0-14 draw.
Micheál Breathnach will feel they left the game behind them on the day, having led by three early in the second half. However Oughterard’s never-say-die spirit and bravery was deserving of the chance to replay on the balance of play.
Placed ball kicking will be key to both sides in what will surely be another close affair. Both sides have excellent free takers, both who opt to kick from the ground, in the form of Matthew Tierney of Oughterard and Ruadhán Ó’Curraoin of Micheál Breathnach. They will need to be hitting almost 100 per cent conversion to give their respective team the best chance of winning the game and entering the provincial championship.
It was Tierney’s nerveless free in the final kick of the game for Oughterard which brought the game to a replay.
Oughterard manager Tommy Finnerty, who interestingly is an uncle of Fiach Ó’Bearra of Michéal Breathnach, will be hoping his side can come quicker out of the blocks this weekend. Michéal Breathnach had started the better of the two sides, and at no stage of the game did they fall behind.
Ex-Galway player and man-of-the-match in the drawn game Seán Denvir will be crucial to Michéal Breathnach if they hope to get over the line. He kicked four points from play on the first day out, and Oughterard will need to keep closer tabs on him if they are to stand any chance of winning.
