Formbook suggests Clann na nGael can take the title

When talking to Tommy Hanley you suspect that what he has achieved a manager with Clann na nGael this year in taking them to Saturday’s Leinster Club JFC final comes very close if not matches, what he chalked up in his own brief, if eventful playing career in inter-county football. 

He carved out, of course, a unique spot in the history of Meath football, that doesn’t look like it’s going to be eclipsed any time soon, by captaining his county to an All-Ireland u-21 FC title in 1993. The following year he followed it it when he was a member of Sean Boylan’s team that won the NFL. 
The NFL and u-21 victories were very significant milestones, but his happy countenance at Trim last week, after his team had defeated Ballymore Eustace to book a place in Saturday’s showdown against Wexford side Rathgarogue Cushinstown, told its own story.
Now he, along with selectors John Tuite, Jimmy Tuite, Jerry Kelly and the players are within 60 minutes of landing a provincial crown.
There are plenty of reasons for believing they can go on to clinch the deal and achieve one of the greatest triumphs in the history of football in the Athboy and Rath Chairn areas. 
Right up there is Hanley’s well-founded assertion that his young team is getting better with every game. Learning. 
The youthful Clannsmen certainly seemed to pick up some invaluable lessons in their semi-final victory over a very capable, neatly efficient Ballymore Eustace side.
While the Meath JFC champions had a decent opening half they were able to up the intensity of their game a few notches after the break pushing on to win with the help of a Darragh Griffin textbook penalty. 
Clann na nGael’s game is founded on a ferocious work ethic, plenty of skill and a self-belief that perhaps goes back to the days when many of the players were on the same team at under-age level and won tight matches against teams from senior clubs, the likes of Simonstown Gaels, Navan O’Mahonys and Dunboyne; the best in the county. 
Hanley alluded to that after the semi-final and that togetherness that has developed among a group of players who get older together. Time and again this year Clann na nGael demonstrated that spirit, that belief. 
Early in the second-half against Ballymore Eustace for instance the Kildare side struck a devastating blow when they found the net and went three points ahead (1-9 to 1-6).
Yet instead of demolishing their morale the goal seemed to inspire Clann na nGael to greater things. Adversity made them stronger, not weaker. 
Rathgarogue Cushinstown are a rural club based outside New Ross with the two sides of the parish amalgamated for GAA purposes since the 1960s.
Like Clann na nGael they are dual club (intermediate in both levels).
Under former club player James Bulger they won the Wexford JFC last year and followed it up by claiming the county’s Intermediate A FC this year (in Wexford the IFC is split into two sections, Intermediate and Intermediate A). 
The club’s most famous player of recent times is Eamonn Cleary who won a hurling Allstar in the early 1990s.
On their way to Saturday’s final the Wexford side defeated Mooncoin, Craobh Chairain (Dublin) and Shannonbridge, an impressive list that underlines their strength.
“We’ll be treating the final the same as any other game,” said player Peadar Cody whose brother Matt is captain.
“We are really loving the journey and the experience and we’ll be confident we can give a good performance, whether that’s good enough or not we’ll see,” added chairman Robbie O’Connor.
Like Clann na nGael, the Wexford side is full of young players eager to make their mark and they will be clearly a very formidable force. 
However, there are enough good reasons for believing Clann na nGael can take that extra step and claim the title.