Preview: AIB All-Ireland Club SFC Final - St. Brigid's v Daingean Uí Chúis

**AIB All-Ireland club SFC final
**

Daingean Uí Chúis (Kerry) v St. Brigids (Roscommon), Croke Park, 3.40pm - TG4

This should be a fascinating showdown between two teams that have shown both guts and guile to make it to this All-Ireland Final.

It’s a second All-Ireland Final in three years for St. Brigid’s, which is a testament to the quality in their ranks.

Three years ago they were beaten by Glen in a match that will surely haunt them until they do win an All-Ireland Final. They dominated that game for long stretches and led by four points with as many minutes remaining only to succumb to a late burst of scores by Glen.

The big unknown coming into this game is just how relevant that defeat is when you weigh up the likely winners on Sunday.

Will the pain of that defeat spur St. Brigid’s on to make amends this time around or will it just crank up the pressure if they find themselves in a tight game with victory tantalisingly within grasp again in the closing minutes against Daingean Uí Chuis?

Roscommon people will tell you that St. Brigid’s still haven’t quite played to their full potential this year even though they find themselves in an All-Ireland Final.

That’s more of back-handed compliment than a criticism because they have been very good, especially in a Connacht campaign that included wins over two very strong teams in the shape of Ballina Stephenites and Maigh Cuilinn and in the All-Ireland semi-final against Scotstown when their defence was superb.

There’s a feeling though that if this St. Brigid’s team really clicks then they could produce something very special such is the quality they have from back to front.

Their half-back line of Paul McGrath, Brian Stack and Ruaidhri Fallon is arguably the best in the country at this level, Eddie Nolan and Mark Daly are a strong midfield partnership, and in attack they have a revolving cast of players capable of bending a game to their will.

Bobby Nugent was the main man against Scotstown, Conor Hand against Maigh Cuilinn, and Ben O’Carroll against Ballina Stephenites.

O’Carroll is probably the best of the bunch but was quiet by his high standards in that semi-final win over Scotstown when he was substituted. If St. Brigid’s are to win on Sunday he’ll need to bring his ‘A’ game.

St Brigid’s are arguably a better balanced team than Daingean Uí Chuis, but that advantage could easily be cancelled by the individual brilliance that the Kerry and Munster champions have in their ranks.

Paul Geaney was sensational for them in the All-Ireland semi-final when he overcame niggling calf and hamstring injuries to completely turn the game after his introduction as a substitute.

He’s fit enough to start on Sunday and if he gets a good supply of ball then he’s the most likely match-winner on the pitch.

He’s ably assisted in a very dangerous attack by Dylan and Conor Geaney and the match could well be decided by how well the St. Brigid’s full-back line copes with the Dingle inside forwards.

Ruairí Smith, Seán Trundle, and Robbie Dolan were excellent against Scotstown and are all very good man-markers, but this Dingle attack is the best they’ve come up against yet this year.

The other Daingean Uí Chuis player that St. Brigid’s will have to somehow curb is Kerry star Tom O’Sullivan. He scored six points in that semi-final win over Ballyboden and his ability to carry the ball forward and get on the end of attacking moves makes him a huge threat.

You could make a strong argument for both teams to win this All-Ireland Final but you have to plant your flag somewhere.

Defences win titles and the tight-marking of their full-back line combined with the forward thrust provided by their excellent half-backs could give St. Brigid’s the edge in a game of fine margins.