Kilbride can shade Junior B decider

One thing we can be sure of about Saturday's Junior B FC final is that Kilbride will not lack support at Pairc Tailteann, 3.30pm against Gaeil Colmcille.

They brought a big contingent to their semi-final against Slane at Dunshaughlin; their very own Kop with their green and red flags waving in the breeze and they should provide their team with the encouragement needed to take home the silverware in this showdown. 

Gaeil Colmcille will have other ideas. They too will be well supported, but they will face a team that is a resugent force in Meath football.

Fifty years ago Kilbride won the Keegan Cup, one of five SFC titles they claimed between 1964 and '71 , but they have endured a protracted spell in the doldrums. A great deal of work at under-age levels is now starting to pay dividends and the team's progress to the Junior B decider is a demonstration of that.

Under manager David Harford - and the coaching assistance provided by former Shelbourne, Shamrock Rovers and Hibernian manager Pat Fenlon - Kilbride have produced a string of impressive displays such as the 1-10 to 0-12 victory they achieved over a very capable Slane team in the semi-final.

Kilbride are backboned by a group of talented young players such as Joseph Donnelly who scored four excellent points from play in that win over Slane. Craig Sheridan and Michael Farrell are others who know where the posts are.

They also have experience and none are more experienced than the Brian White.

Gaeil Colmcille have notched up a series of impressive victories on the way to the final. Earlier in the campaign, for instance, they overcame Trim 5-19 to 0-15 with Barry Farrelly getting 2-5 or the 4-15 to 2-7 win over Na Fianna and what about the 4-16 to 0-12 trashing of Dunboyne. In the last four they defeated Boardsmill 3-15 to 0-11.

They have a very potent attack, but Kilbride have a resolute defence and that could be one of the factors in helping them claim victory and take another step back into the limelight.

That and their support. Kilbride to win, just.l.