Castletown fancied to edge a classic
IFC PREVIEW
If their respective semi-finals are anything to go by then Saturday's IFC final between Kilbride and Castletown could be akin to the shootout at the OK Coral.
It wasn't that defences didn't perform, they certainly did, but the rampant attacks saw Kilbride and Castletown accumulate 3-52 between them against St Michael's and Moynalvey respectively.
Both sides scored 26 points, while Kilbride created a hatful of goal chances against St Michael's and were content to take three of them.
St Michael's only managed to score 13 points, while a fancied Moynalvey only fared marginally better, registering 1-14 in their semi-final.
Such attacking prowess suggests a classic encounter, but prior to those last four games neither side had exactly set the world alight, although Castletown were a little more consistent with their 5-14 against Duleek-Bellewstown in round two and 3-18 in the quarter-final against Drumbaragh suggesting that.
Before their superb semi-final haul Kilbride's biggest return was their 2-15 against Blackhall Gaels, but they have been consistent in
their scoring.
The return of Conor McWeeeney has been a huge boost to an already prolific attack which includes the exciting Josh Harford and the immaculately accurate David O'Leary.
Adam Malone is another dangerous attacker, while Kilbride are also defensively sound with Finn White, captain Timmy Farrell and Andrew McWeeney forming a solid half-back line.
Castletown have a greater spread of scorers with Rian McConnell their go-to man from play and placed balls. The talented midfielder is sure to figure for Meath in the near future and is one of the most exciting prospects in the game.
Add in the ever dangerous Kevin Ross, pivotal playmaker Killian Smyth and rampant half-back Killian Price it is easy to see why Castletown were able to rattle off big scores.
With veteran goalkeeper Johnny Ginnitty conceding just five goals in the championship it shows his importance and the value of an excellent defence that includes Evan Hoey, who made a name for himself when doing a good job on David Clifford in Castletown's All-Ireland Club JFC semi-final a couple of years ago.
That experience of winning the Leinster Club title and being in the latter stages of the IFC ever since, combined with McConnell and their wider attacking threat makes Castletown marginal favourites, but expect a classic.