Oughterard come up against Kerry intermediate champions Templenoe this Saturday in Kilmallock, Limerick on Saturday (2pm ).
The Kerry side enters Saturday’s tie as hot favourites which will not bother many in Oughterard who will be desperate to add to their cups from Galway and Connacht - a win putting them just one game away from that in a first All Ireland final.
Oughterard will travel in numbers to what is a tight pitch which may suit them and prevent Templenoe from playing expansively which they have done so far.
The Templenoe team is made up of a number of stars from the Kerry senior team which lost out to Dublin in this year’s All-Ireland final. Their team includes Tadgh Morley, Gavin Crowley and the two Spillanes. Adrian and Killian. Former Kerry minor and U21 player Stephen O’Sullivan is also a vital cog for the south Kerry outfit.
O’Sullivan was the star for Templenoe in their Munster final win over St Bracken’s, notching 0-6 in total (2 frees ), and Oughterard will have their hands full with O’Sullivan and Killian Spillane in the inside line with their movement and trickery likely to be difficult to contain.
Oughterard will be looking to the Tierney brothers and captain Eddie O’Sullivan for inspiration this coming Saturday.
A prominent feature of Oughterard’s games throughout this campaign has been the striking off the ground of both Tierneys. They will need both men to be on
form as Templenoe do not give up many chances, so scores must be taken at every opportunity.
Matthew Tierney is likely to be given special attention by Templenoe given his exploits in the county and Connacht finals where he was awarded man of the match in both games.
He scored a magnificent solo goal in the provincial decider where there were without doubt eyes from the Kerry club on him. It is likely Gavin Crowley will be designated with the man-marking duties on the young starlet.
Oughterard, however, also offer a big threat from the half-back line in the form of the two Monaghan brothers, Ryan and Cian, who have been consistently excellent this season, popping up with scores high up the pitch with regular occurrence.
It will be a fascinating contest in Kilmallock. Templenoe are hot favourites, but will not be naive enough to underestimate their opponents and their strengths.
It will be a big ask for Oughterard, but manager Tommy Finnerty and his men will hope they get over the line to be in Croke Park in a fortnight's time.
