LGFA All-Ireland Club Intermediate final
St Paul’s v Naomh Ciarán
(Kingspan Breffni Park, Saturday, 2.30pm)
St. Paul’s journey in search of All Ireland glory reaches its conclusion tomorrow when they take on Naomh Ciarán of Offaly in the All Ireland Intermediate club final at Breffni Park.
It has been an unbelievable year for the Shaw’s Road side who have been the standard bearers in Antrim ladies football for more than a decade having collected the last 10 league titles in succession and they have added eight championships in that time but a win on Sunday would take their achievements to another level.
This year St. Paul’s made the decision to drop into the Intermediate grade in Ulster and it has paid dividends with the hoops collecting the Ulster title before going on to victory in a tight semi-final against St. Nathy’s of Sligo.
St Paul’s came from four points down early in the second half to pip the Sligo champions at Shaw’s Road. Level at 1-0 to 0-3 at the end of a low scoring opening half the Belfast girls were rocked back on their heels in the opening minutes of the second half when the visitors got in for a goal and a point. It was backs to the wall time now for the Antrim and Ulster champions but they showed great character and driven on by Lara Dahunsi and the scoring power of the McGuinness sisters Kirsty and Caitlin they found a way back to set up a final meeting with Naomh Ciaran.
Manager Brian Coyle has left no stone unturned in his preparation for Sunday’s decider but is confident his side have the character and skill to overcome what looks like a strong opponent in the Faithful side.
“This week is mainly about managing the players so they can deliver their best at the weekend.
All of the hard work is done ahead of Saturday’s showdown that will be broadcast live on the LGFA Facebook page, with any niggling injuries or illnesses taken care of”.
“We finished all our hard stuff so we’ll just do a bit of shooting practice this week.
Brian Coyle and his St. Paul’s side who will make their bid for All Ireland glory at Breffni Park tomorrow
“There are a couple who have tonsillitis and a couple of others who have exams this week too, so we are dealing with what we have now. Our injuries have been monitored as there are a couple of the girls carrying knocks and we just have to keep an eye on that.”
Coyle received a boost during the week with the news that Stacey McCann will be available for selection for Saturday’s final. The Tyrone girl will make the long journey home from a holiday in Australia and will certainly add to St. Paul’s options
McCann only made the trip Down Under last week, but quickly arranged a flight back so she can take her place in the team and that underlines the spirit and desire of his entire team says the St Paul’s boss.
McCann was just one of many St. Paul’s stars in that dogged display against St. Nathy’s where they showed bags of character to overturn a very strong Offaly side and they will need that character again at Breffni on Sunday if they are to achieve their ultimate goal’
Stacey McCann, Lara Dahunsi and the McGuinness sister, Kirsty and Caitlin were just a few of the stars in St. Paul’s win over St. Nathy’s and it will take another strong team performance if they are to succeed tomorrow.
St. Paul’s have the experience, resilience and skill to overcome the Offaly girls and despite facing strong opponents in a side who displayed similar character in overcoming Inch Rovers of Cork in their semi-final after extra time, I expect the Antrim champions to take the title.
Lara Dahunsi, who’s never say die attitude helped St. Paul’s to victory over St. Nathy’s 
Kirsty McGuinness will provide St. Paul’s with a serious scoring threat