It’s a meeting of an old familiar face with his former comrades on Sunday when Charlestown meet St Kevin’s, Castlerea, in the Connacht semi final. Denis Kearney was in the middle of the field for Charlestown in the 1993 Mayo intermediate final, a side that included current Charlestown goalkeeper John Casey, current Charlestown manager Ciaran McBrien, and the county final’s man of the match David ‘Ginger’ Tiernan who was on the bench 16 years ago. So if any man will have the inside track on the Charlestown and what they are about it is the Carracastle native, who currently resides in Swinford another Mayo side he togged out for in his playing days.
He has managed the Castlerea side to the two Roscommon titles in a row now and in 2003 and 2006 was the man behind Curry’s Sligo senior titles, and before the turn of the century was the man who guided Swinford to the intermediate crown in Mayo. It is some CV he brings into Sunday’s game.
Not that Charlestown manager Ciaran McBrien will be letting his side pay to much attention to what the opposition have on the sideline. McBrien has proved to be one of the shrewdest operators in Mayo and will have his side well prepared for Sunday’s showdown. The last time that Charlestown were in the provincial series they went on to win it in 2001, before losing out to Nemo Rangers from Cork in the All Ireland semi-final.
Both sides will be going into the game with a full deck to play from and that will be causing a few headaches for both managers as they try to find their best 15 to start with. Charlestown started the county final without Kevin Duignan, the wing back was not 10 per cent and only made a substitute appearance, but will be pushing hard on Sunday to make the starting line up. Another man who did his chances no harm against Knockmore in the county final was Brian O’Connell who made a startling impact when he was thrown into the fray midway through the second half of the Mayo decider.
Once again a lot will rest on the shoulders of David ‘Ginger’ Tiernan who is the heart and soul of the side, and the veteran who picked up man of the match for his display in the county final will be looked to for leadership once again. Alongside him in the middle of the park Tom Parsons has bags full of ability, and his side will be hoping that he can turn in a star display on Sunday. Captain Aidan Higgins will not be found wanting on the commitment stakes at the back, while Richie Haran’s shooting boots will need to be on form once again this weekend in the Hyde.
As for their opponents, they had a poor league campaign just about avoiding the drop as they concentrated on the championship. They saw off St Aidan’s in the county semi-final after a tough struggle, while they saw off Western Gaels in the final by 4-9 to 1-13. They have been in action in the Connacht championship already this season, seeing off Tourlestrane in the quarter final. On paper there should not be much in it on Sunday, will Kearney’s local knowledge be enough to see the Roscommon men home? It will be a fascinating encounter in the Hyde.
St Kevin’s, Castlerea v Charlestown
Hyde Park, Roscommon, Sunday November 8
Throw in: At 2pm
