Surprise finalists in SW junior A final
As the 2010 GAA season began St. Mary’s were reigning SW junior A football champions. First-time winners in 2009, their relatively young side was expected to make a bold bid to retain the title and maybe go a long way in the county. However, in a season of surprises, all the pre-championship favourites have fallen by the wayside. The champions themselves were the first to fall when beaten by Castlehaven’s second string in the first round. The defeat of Caheragh by unheralded Bantry was another major surprise while a significant result was the comprehensive defeat of Gabriels by Clann na nGael. Once again Kilmacabea were among the favourites and they had a good win over Muintir Bháire. The team to catch the eye early on was Clonakilty, with a number of regraded seniors and they scored a good win over fancied Bandon.
The teams beaten in the first round had a second chance and the big surprise here was the defeat of Bandon by O’Donovan Rossa, the fancied Lilywhites out of the race without winning a game. Champions, St. Mary’s, got back in with a win over Carbery Rangers, as did Gabriels with a win over Barryroe. Rossa’s again surprised when beating Muintir Bháire in round 3.
The championship proper began in round 4, no backdoor, no safety net. Rossas’ run came to an end when beaten by Argideen while Clon continued their impressive form when knocking out St. James. Dohenys were going nicely too, beating Castlehaven while Kilmacabea showed great form in accounting for Kilbrittain. The champions departed the scene when beaten by Caheragh, who looked to be getting their act together. Clann na nGael beat Ilen and beaten finalists in 2009, St. Oliver Plunkett’s, were still in the race, beating a disappointed St. Colum’s.
The race was now down to the last eight and when Caheragh scored a replay win over Plunkett’s, they were installed as favourites in many eyes. Clon had lost five players to senior and fell to Kilmacabea who needed a late rally to win. Again they were looking nervous the farther they progressed. A depleted Dohenys were well beaten by a Gabriels’ side who had improved immensely since the first round while Clann na nGael got a big fright from battling Argideen, hanging on for a single-point win.
The semi-finals saw four real footballing sides in action, with hardly a kick of a ball between the four. Caheragh were favoured to beat Gabriels but on a wet night in Bantry were turned over by the Schull/Ballydehob combination. This was a fine performance by Gabriels, a mixture of young and old, and they fully deserved their 0-13 to 0-10 victory on the night.
The second semi-final saw the hopes and dreams of Kilmacabea of a first-ever title again shattered. A sending off of a Kilmac player and a Clann goal just before half time were decisive and Clann looked well in control but had to survive a late Kilmac rally before registering a 2-6 to 1-7 victory.
So now the race for the Mick McCarthy Cup is down to two, Clann na nGael, who have won the title on four previous occasions, 1941, 1942, 1943 and 1981, and Gabriel Rangers, who have never won the title, losing in three finals, 1979, 1983 and 2005. Will it be a fifth title for the Drimoleague/Drinagh combination or a first-ever title for the Schull/Ballydehob side?
Both teams have shown a variation in form this season although Clann have been the more consistent side, getting directly to the final. By coincidence the teams met in the first round and Clann recorded a comprehensive 3-8 to 0-8 victory that wet day in Aughaville. The Scorchers have shown excellent form in their wins over Ilen, Argideen and Kilmacabea but have failed to put teams away when well in control. They struggled to beat Argideen, a rather fortunate goal by Jamie Walsh being decisive, and they failed to put fourteen-man Kilmac to the sword in the semi-final, despite goals from Shane Connolly and Pat Joe O’Donovan.
The defence has been the backbone of the side, conceding only three goals in four games. Young Tomás Connolly has made the full back position his own in front of reliable goalie Eoin Daly and is well flanked by Finbarr O’Connell and J J Collins. The half back line is the anchor of the side with captain Mícheál ‘Haulie’ O’Driscoll in rampant form at centre back. The two wing backs, Derek Crowley and Brendan O’Connell have been a revelation, often driving forward for scores. Danny Holland has been very strong and consistent at midfield and Ger O’Donovan has proved an able helper. Up front young winger William O’Mahony provides real class and knows where the posts are while Jamie Walsh provides great cutting at centre forward and is a superb kicker of long frees. Tomás Hayes isn’t short of experience on the wing and this half forward line can be extremely effective. Ace goal-scorer Pat Joe O’Donovan fills the full forward position with Vincent Collins filling one corner and the other corner alternating between a few players including Danny Cahalane, the experienced Paul O’Rourke and the lightning fast Shane Connolly.
After their slow start to the campaign, Gabriels have improved with every game although they have shown numerous changes in positions and personnel. Darren O’Mahony has made the goalkeeping position his own with the reliable Tony Sheehan guarding the square. Aidan O’Mahony is a sound corner back while the long-serving Liam Hegarty has been very solid on the wing. The ageless Pat Nolan has varied between centre back and midfield and surely deserves a SW medal after a great career in the green. The strong John Ward is a real work horse at midfield and much will depend on his performance. He will probably be partnered by the lively Ger Hurley.
On their day the Gabriel attack is one of the slickest in the division and a joy to watch in full flight. Mark Cronin in the corner has been the top forward in the championship and has an amazing 2-30 to his credit. He is a class act when on song. While the impression is sometimes given that Gabriels have a one-man forward line, nothing could be further from the truth. Young Ger O’Callaghan is a flying wing forward and certainly isn’t afraid to shoot on sight while tall Cork minor Stephen O’Mahony is a handful at full forward. Séamus Kelleher has given great service on the wing and Eddie Goggin is no slouch. Don Ward is experienced and tough and not afraid to get involved.
So who will take home the Mick McCarthy Cup? Clann na nGael will start as slight favourites and rightly so as they have been the more consistent side and have that big win over Gabriels in the first round to their credit. Their defence has conceded only three goals while Gabriels have conceded eight, which places question marks over Gabriels’ close defending. Clann also seem to have the stronger pairing at midfield and it will be interesting to see the clash between Danny Holland and John Ward. While the Gabriels’ attack may have the more explosive power, Clann’s is better balanced and scores are shared better. Of course Gabriels have Mark Cronin and that is a big plus for them. If Clann don’t put the shackles on him it could spell disaster. Will Gabriels’ young forwards Ger O’Callaghan and Stephen O’Mahony be intimidated by the occasion or will the wise and experienced heads like Pat Nolan, Liam Hegarty, Tony Sheehan and Don Ward come up trumps? Will the pace of the Clann forwards be too much for the Gabriel veterans and can Mark Cronin and company penetrate the solid Clann defence?
This final is wide open and will only be decided on the day. Whichever team brings its best game to the table will triumph and because Clann have been more consistent in that respect, we give them a very tentative vote to win.

“Cois Farraige”