A junior final to whet the appetite
Junior 1 Football Final preview
This year’s Junior 1 football decider, the curtain-raiser to the Westmeath Intermediate Football final on Sunday, is a clash between St Joseph’s and Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall (CFCW) and it promises to be an enthralling battle for the Hugh Daniels Cup.
Both teams have taken different paths to reach this decider, but there is little to separate them, as their earlier draw in the group stages suggests. With so much at stake, this junior 1 football final is set to capture the imagination of passionate and enthusiastic GAA supporters from both clubs, and indeed neutrals.
CFCW, having been relegated from intermediate football last year, are determined to bounce straight back and return to the higher ranks. However, they face a tricky task against a young, lively St Joseph’s side, who are full of pace and attacking flair. St Joseph’s are aiming to win their first junior title since 2004, and their campaign so far has shown they are more than capable of achieving that feat.
Managed by former Rosemount and Westmeath goalkeeper Eoin Carberry, St Joseph’s have a youthful and exciting team. Key players like Mikey Lynam, brothers Aaron and Jordan McDonnell, and forward Dean Slevin have all played pivotal roles throughout the year, while veteran Westmeath goalkeeper Aidan Lennon provides invaluable experience between the posts. With plenty of firepower up front, St Joseph’s are certain to pose a significant threat.
On the other hand, CFCW come into the final with the edge in experience. Under the guidance of Michael Tynan, a former senior football winner with Ramor UTD in Cavan, they will be looking to draw on the resilience that saw them lift the intermediate title in 2012. Tynan was also at the helm when they narrowly lost the intermediate final the previous year, so he knows what it takes to navigate these big days.
CFCW boast a solid spine with players like Darragh McCormack, who scored 1-3 in their semi-final victory over St Loman’s, alongside the influential Joe Rabbitt, Darragh O’Reilly, and Emmet Corrigan. The experienced duo of Darren Kilcoyne and Ryan Plunkett maintain a link with the 2012 intermediate winning side, bringing a wealth of know-how to the table. Their mix of youth and experience could prove crucial in a tight contest.
This final brings together two proud footballing areas, with St Joseph’s representing the Streamstown community, near Horseleap, and CFCW from the north of the county. The stage is set for a classic encounter, with both sides hungry for success. The fact that both teams know each other so well after their group stage draw only adds to the intrigue.
Expect a great crowd and electric atmosphere at TEG Cusack Park on Sunday. The junior and intermediate finals are always well attended, with the local communities turning out in force to support their teams. The colour, excitement, and passion that comes with these big days in Westmeath football will be on full display, as two traditional footballing areas battle it out for glory.
Will St Joseph’s youthful exuberance carry them to their first junior title in 20 years, or will CFCW’s experience and hunger to return to intermediate football see them crowned champions? CFCW carry the favourite’s tag, but they must improve in terms of their finishing in the semi-final if that is to become a reality. Traditionally, the junior final generally delivers in terms of excitement and these two well matched sides are unlikely to disappoint in that regard.