Very little between the sides in intermediate semi-finals

Had Seán O’Mahony’s beaten Hunterstown Rovers on Sunday, the way would have been clear for a first all-Dundalk intermediate championship final in 33 years, and only the second since the competition was revived in 1978.

As we’ve come to expect of them when only a win will do, O’Mahony’s gave it a right good go at Stabannon. They trailed at one stage by six points, but when it came to the final whistle, they were just two behind.

The day before in the first semi-final, Gaels taking on Mattock Rangers, it was even tighter. There was nothing between them on a number of occasions, including at the end of 60 minutes.

Gaels went a goal ahead in extra-time, and looked to be home for all money. But like O’Mahony’s the following day, Mattock refused to give in, and at the end were just one point behind.

And that 1991 final? Gaels were in it, taking on Young Irelands in Knockbridge. It went their way, giving them the title for the second time. Two years later, Hunterstown were winners, and although they lost their status after that, a second Championship win in 1999 put them back in senior.

Rovers making the final doesn’t come as a surprise. They’ve had a fine league campaign, and while failing to hit the same heights in the knock-out, have done enough to justify their place as favourites. Sunday’s win was achieved despite losing their ace-in-the-hole, county man, Ryan Burns, through injury in the opening half.

Using league form as a criteria, Gaels shouldn’t be next or near the final. They suffered more defeats than most other teams, going down by big margins in some of the games, and missing out on a place in the top six. Ahead of them is a crucial tie with Stabannon as they try to stave off the prospect of relegation.

But it’s been much better over the past few weeks, drawing with last Saturday’s opponents in the championship preliminaries and then claiming a huge win in the quarter-finals with Kilkerley Emmets. Intrigue, and a lot of it, will surround their meeting with Rovers.

By then the senior championship finalists will be known. The title-holders, St Mary’s, engage Newtown Blues, and Naomh Máirtín are out against St Mochta’s at the semi-final stage this weekend.

While the betting suggests a third final of Mary’s and Máirtín’s in four years, don’t for one minute believe Blues and the Moch’s are going along just to make up numbers.

The cream has risen to the top here. From the very start, this quartet was firmly fancied to have it between them. Now that they’re there, none of them is likely to go down without a fight. There should be value for money at both venues.