Ep. 176 – The West awake – The Intermediate decider

Ep.176 — Golden-Kilfeacle v Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams, Intermediate Final Preview
It is an all-West decider, Golden-Kilfeacle against Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams, and Cashel is the perfect cauldron for it. Two semi-finals that out-entertained the senior grade have teed up a feral local derby, tight venue, crowd on top of the play, atmosphere guaranteed.

Golden-Kilfeacle were tipped from a long way out, they carry the favourites tag, but there is no such thing as a two horse race in Tipp. Knockavilla have ridden through a turbulent few years, lost key players, kept developing lads underage, and now they are in a county final with nothing to fear. That alone tells you there is resilience and bite in the Kickhams dressing room.

We dig into the venue call, Cashel over Semple. As players, you always dream of Semple, but an intermediate final can get lost in the stadium. Cashel keeps the noise in, every shoulder is felt, and one early hit can light the fuse for the whole stand. Expect a game that feeds on that energy, quick puckouts, frantic rucks, and the sort of roars that make county finals stick in the memory.

Form lines are clear. Golden look balanced and well drilled under Brian Leamy, focused and steady all year. Jack Leamy is in serious nick, 1-10 in the semi, scores from play and placed balls, while Sam Hall adds pace and composure. Knockavilla have match winners too, Adam Daly clipped seven or eight from play the last day, a reminder of his underage pedigree for Tipp, and they have that siege mentality, nobody gave them a chance, now they want the cup.

Tactics will be about nerves and matchups. Get your pairings right, do not obsess over the opposition, mind your own house first. Golden bring a little more experience at this stage of the year, Kickhams bring freshness and freedom. The middle third battle decides who sets the terms, and whichever side limits cheap frees will tilt the percentages their way.

Predictions lean slightly toward Golden, experience, recent semi and final mileage, and a knack for closing out tight ones. The panel is clear on one thing though, neighbourly rivalry levels the field in county finals, and Kickhams will have a right cut off them. Promotion to Premier Intermediate is on the line, silver, status, and bragging rights, it does not get much more serious.

Settle in for a cracking afternoon in Cashel, young talent everywhere, hardened leaders minding them, and seventy minutes that could steal the weekend.