They would have never assumed it was was going to be easy, but the willingness to dig out a result when things seemed to be going against them against Melvin Gaels is something that Hollymount-Carramore will have been delighted to have shown on the field a fortnight ago. On Sunday the south Mayo men have the chance to create another little bit of history for themselves when they take on Moycullen to be crowned the intermediate kings of Connacht.
Once again Tom Connelly will be looking for big performances from a number of key men to get them over the line on Sunday, team captain Darren Coen chipped in with 1-6 in their semi-final win, but all of those scores came from placed balls and Hollymount-Carramore will hope to see a bit more of a return from play from Coen on Sunday. The Costello trio of Ian, Kevin, and Dermot, who all started the last day, will be expected to contribute on the scoreboard and to stop the the Moycullen men building from the back, with Conor Keane and Kevin Ferrick will also be looked to for big preformances in attack.
All Ireland minor winning captain Stephen Coen and Keelan McNamara, who grabbed their side's first goal in their semi-final win, will need to put in big shifts in the middle of the park to ensure that a solid footing is established to get their forward unit moving. At the back, Darren McHugh will be looking to direct operations in front of him as Barry Sheridan, Padraig Feerick, and Robert Molloy (who popped up with two points the last day ) will have to be on their toes to clamp down on the Moycullen half forward line.
Donnellan's men pose a serious threat
The Moycullen intermediate footballers will have to bring their “A” game to Pearse Stadium this Sunday to beat a highly rated Hollymount side in the Connacht Intermediate football final, writes Ray Silke. Michael Donnellan’s charges were comprehensive victors over Ml Glavey’s on a score-line of 2-16 to 2-7 in their semi-final in Hyde Park. They have a full panel to pick from for the game on Sunday which means team captain and former inter-county hurler and footballer Mark Lydon will be in a position to lead the team out, which is a big plus.
They will also be looking for big displays up front on Sunday from dual stars Conor Bohan and Philip Lydon, and two very impressive youngsters, Seán Kelly and Declan Connelly. Young Peter Cooke who was named man of the match in the semi-final will also want to continue his good run of form and his long distance frees in a close game are hugely important. Defensively Moycullen are well served by Galway Community College teacher Seamus Friel in goal, the pacey David Wynne and Philip Ezergalis, centre-back Eoin Walsh, who is a key player, and Aiden Claffey at wing-back. Galway county player Gareth Bradshaw can also have a big impact for his team in a link role from wing-forward.
