Cahir Youth versus Parnell's Experience

The last TESCO Homegrown All Ireland Club final of 2012 takes place this weekend when Cahir of Tipperary face Parnell’s from London in Ballymore, Kildare with the Intermediate title at stake.

 

The star attraction will no doubt be Niamh Fahey who lines out for Parnell’s in the middle of the field. Fahey won a Senior All Ireland Final with Galway in 2004 and followed that up with an All Star the following year. She has since taken up a career in soccer with Arsenal and is one of the main players in the Ireland international soccer team. Her influence on the Parnell’s team was underlined as her battle with former Galway teammate, Annette Clarke went a long way to deciding the semi-final meeting with Kilkerrin/Clonberne.

 

Both teams have had difficult paths to the final. Cahir enjoyed a good victory over Sneem/Kenmare from Kerry but were pushed all the way in the Munster decider by Cork’s Éire Óg winning by a margin of 2 points. Their All Ireland semi-final victory over Newtownbutler of Fermanagh was a goal laden affair as Cahir’s 5 goal haul proved decisive. Cahir are a youthful team whose oldest player is just 21 years of age with the teams average age being just 17.

 

Parnell’s path to the final has been a difficult one as they have twice been taken to replays. Their British Intermediate Club Semi-Final victory over Kerry Kingdom Gaels was a resounding one as they scored 7 goals on the way to an easy win. However, they were pushed all the way by Fr. Murphy’s in the British final requiring a replay before eventually winning the second match comfortably. They were then impressive winners against St. Laurence’s of Kildare but again they were pushed all the way in the All Ireland semi-final by Galway’s Kilkerrin/Clonberne. The two sides could not be separated in their first meeting as they were still level after two periods of extra time. The London team ground out a narrow victory in the replay winning by 3-11 to 2-8.

 

The midfield battle could prove to be vital as Parnell’s call on the experienced duo of Hannah Noonan and Niamh Fahey. Team captain, Hannah Noonan is an important player for Parnell’s and like Fahey has tasted All Ireland glory with London in 2008. The Cahir duo of Aisling O’Connor and captain, Anne Marie O’Gorman, will hope to stifle the influence of the Parnell’s pair and provide the leadership for their young side.

 

TESCO HomeGrown All Ireland Intermediate Club Final

 

Cahir (Tipperary) v Parnell’s (London)

Venue:                 Ballymore, Kildare

Date:                     Sunday, December 9th

Throw In:             1.30pm

Referee:              Maggie Farrelly