Junior 2 HC Final Preview... Saints can take fourth tier title

In the grand scheme of things the Junior 2 HC might not be considered one of the big prizes on offer but it's surely fair to say that for those who are involved winning Saturday's final will be as significant as claiming the MacCarthy Cup itself.

The players from Kildalkey and St Patrick's will certainly be giving it everything when they take each other like two gladiators in the Roman Coliseum - with the Saints tipped to return to Stamullen as the champions.

The Stamullen side have chalked up some noteworthy triumphs in their march to the final such as the 5-21 to 0-9 win over Dunboyne and the 4-11 to 0-6 victory against Dunderry. They also defeated Clann na nGael by 10 points while Kildalkey struggled to defeat the same opposition in the semi-final with only a point to spare.

St Patrick's, who are managed by Daithi Finnegan and Colm McKenna, have some interesting hurlers in their set-up including Philip O'Brien who is part of TG4's Underdogs series (like Kildalkey's intermediate player Paul Fagan). Also among their ranks is that talented hurler and seasoned campaigner JP Ryan who won an All-Ireland JHC medal with Meath back in the day and who is still in search of success on the playing front.

They also have Gerry O'Donohue, their chief marksman, and Neil O'Flaherty, one of the very few if not the only dual player they have in their team. St Pat's were given a walkover against Kilskyre/Moylagh in the semi-finals which probably didn't help their cause.

Kildalkey also picked up some notable wins on their way to the final such as a hefty defeat of Kilskyre/Moylagh. They really had to work hard to defeat Clann na nGael in the last four getting through by just a point. Andy Fagan, Cathal Egan, Mattie Cully were their top scorers in that victory getting 2-11 between them. Cully especially effective.

The fact that Kildalkey can field three championship teams is a tribute to the club but the Village's predominantly youthful side face a hardened St Pat's outfit who look poised to claim the trophy.