‘Island go for title

‘Island go for title

30 September 2015

LOUGHINISLAND and An Riocht go in search of their maiden IFC title this Sunday in Páirc Esler at 4pm.

Neither team has won at this grade before as both have been more accustomed to the senior level in recent times, but the desire for silverware is as strong as ever in both camps.

However, Greencastle did win the inaugural IFC back in 1973 before An Riocht came into being.

Loughinisland have been favourites for this competition from the outset and their two defeats of Ballymartin have proven that pedigree.

An Riocht have been solid and they managed to overcome a tricky Bredagh assignment in the semi-final.

The big focus in this final will be on the respective performances of the Kingdom’s Martin Clarke and the Loughinisland’s Dan Gordon.

Both were integral players in Down’s run to the All-Ireland final in 2010 and they should be the standout competitors on Sunday afternoon.

Gordon has been crucial to his side’s progress to date while Clarke has been improving with every outing.

Loughinisland were victors by five points in the league meeting between the entities back in April.

A lot has happened since then, but there is little to counteract the fact that the Blues are still the superior team.

Conor Megoran and Stefan Mason will need to be a lot more accurate in front of goal than they were in their 

semi-final victory over Ballymartin. Rory Mason is trusted and reliable from frees while Aaron McClements has a knack of getting forward from midfield to convert.

There are question marks over the Loughinisland defence and they may install a rotational policy in relation to the marking duties on Martin Clarke.

With the experienced Ryan Stranney, John McCarthy and Seamus O’Hare waiting in the wings, the Blues have options if things aren’t going to plan on the pitch.

An Riocht will need Chris Killen and Deaglain Morgan to step up to the plate in the scoring stakes if they are to get their hands on the cup. Noel McArdle will be on hand to support Martin Clarke with plenty of assists while Kory Colgan adds a physical presence from the middle.

Rory Cunningham will need to be tracked from midfield as he has the fitness to cover every blade of grass on the park.

Defensively, the Kingdom aren’t exactly stingy with veteran Liam McVeigh and Paul Sherry important man markers.

Brendan McVeigh is a commanding presence between the sticks while Sean Clarke is a dynamo on the wing.

Loughinisland have more experience of big days out in Newry and if they manage to be economical with their scoring chances then the WJ Farrell Cup will be making the journey back through the Mournes to East Down.