Fermanagh Senior Football League Division 1 Final
Derrygonnelly Harps v Ederney St Joseph’s
Saturday December 12th in Brewster Park @ 7.00pm
A staggering 35 weeks since they started the league this Saturday sees the Division 1 League Final between Derrygonnelly and Ederney in which both sides will have strong aspirations of finishing the season with the League trophy.
I spoke to a number of people and found out who they think will win the clash.
Erne Gaels Chairman, Declan McCaffrey = Going for a Derrygonnelly double! I seen them in their championship games with Ederney this year and granted yes the drawn game they were very lucky to survive but in the replay in Garrison they were a different class, exceptionally well balanced side all over the field , even with Daly missing at full back I believe the Harps will have far too much all over for Ederney. Ward and the Jones’, Decy Cassidy and Eamon McHugh are all experienced campaigners, if Ederney can take a early lead and if McGrath, the McCuskers and Stephen McElrone get an early grip then they could push hard, but I’ll stick with Derrygonnelly to do the golden double
Belcoo forward, Paul McGrath = I think Derrygonnelly will crown a fine year on the field with the league title on Saturday evening. Ederney are on a great run since just before the league split and will be confident they can come out on top. For me though, the Harps possess a wider range of scoring options up front and a stronger defensive unit which should see them secure the 2015 League & Championship Double.
Roslea defender, Niall Cassidy = Think Derrygonnelly will win it. When you win the Championship it’s easy to keep the motivation going in a winning team. But in saying that we are still playing in December so I’d say a bit of appetite has gone in both sides. If Derrygonnelly snuff out Ederney’s key men like the McCuskers and Marty McGrath they will win.
Irvinestown forward, Liam Murphy = I would favour Derrygonnelly just on the basis they have been the strongest team in Fermanagh this season. Achieving the double will be a motivation & I would expect them to edge a close match but good luck to both teams.
Erne Gaels forward, Shane Rooney (pictured) = Would fancy Derrygonnelly to win this one. I just feel they have more quality over the field compared to Ederney. How fit Paul Ward is will also have a big bearing on the outcome, as his pace is a huge threat to any defence. Derrygonnelly is very well set up at the back and can break out at good speed. The loss of Tiarnan Daly will be a blow to Derrygonnelly but I would still fancy them.
Rostrevor club man and Pete McGrath’s nephew, Pete McGrath Junior = I expect the Fermanagh league final to be a very evenly contested affair. Both Ederney and Derrygonnelly are highly talented sides, filled with energy, enthusiasm and ability. Having already claimed the Fermanagh Championship crown, Derrygonnelly are targeting a double which would be an incredible feat. They are a well balanced team, built on a tight defence but also with a potent attacking threat. However the Ederney men will be looking to avenge their defeat at the hands of Derrygonnelly after a replay in the Championship. It is for this reason that I am tipping Ederney to edge a high quality game by a single point, but, don’t be surprised if we see it end all square!!!
Tyrone GAA TeamTalk, Paddy Hunter = The long season and their win last week could well give Ederney a slight edge, experience may play a part but there’s quality in this Ederney outfit and that may be enough to see them over the line by a couple of points. It will be close.
Kinawley forward, Ruairi Corrigan = Ederney have regrouped well after their championship loss but I think Derrygonnelly would have to be favourites. They have great strength and depth throughout their squad and although Tiarnan Daly will be a big miss, I feel they may nick it.
Maguiresbridge forward, Matthew Teague = I think although Ederney have finished the season strong Derrygonnelly have looked consistent all year. Staying strong when they could have dropped off after winning a Championship along with a slightly stronger bench and the lure of a domestic double to win it for Derrygonnelly.
There you have it, 7 go for Derrygonnelly and its 2 for Ederney.
Roll on Saturday at 7pm in Brewster Park.
