Pearses stand on the brink of history as Mahon bids to pull off personal double

Padraig Pearses manager Eamonn Mahon stands on the brink of a quite remarkable personal double. The Shannonbridge man guided his native club to a first ever Offaly SFC back in 1996 and now stands on the verge of a similar feat as manager of South Roscommon outfit Padraig Pearses. Pearses, who draw the bulk of its players from South Roscommon areas Creagh, Moore and Taughmaconnell, are searching for a first Roscommon SFC when they face Castlerea St Kevin"s at Dr Hyde Park on Sunday (throw-in: 3.30pm). The Woodmount-based club last appeared in a county final in 2005 when they lost out to St Brigid"s and everyone associated with Padraig Pearses will be praying throughout Saturday evening and Sunday morning that this will finally to be their year to lift the coveted Fahey Cup. Eamonn Mahon, who also managed Moate All-Whites for a spell, knows the vast importance of the occasion but is keen to play down the fact Padraig Pearses are still searching for that elusive first county championship. He also doubted whether the fact Padraig Pearses have not played a championship match since September 14 would impact upon his team this weekend, despite the opposition (Castlerea) having played three times since, including in two semi-final replays before eventually seeing off Western Gaels after a long hard struggle. Speaking ahead of the final, Mahon said: 'It"s fantastic for the club to reach the county final and everyone associated with the club is very excited and proud. Obviously, everyone is very keen to secure that first championship for the club and we"ll be giving it a monumental effort on Sunday to try to win it. I don"t think the fact that Padraig Pearses have never won the championship before is distracting the players in any way. As I say, all these type of records and statistics are there to be done away with. The title is up for grabs on Sunday and we intend to break that particular record.' Speaking with respect and admiration for the opposition, Eamonn warned his team face a very difficult match this weekend. 'Castlerea are a very good side. We lost to them in the league earlier in the year and I"ve watched them three times this year. They have improved every time I saw them. I thought they were very impressive in the second semi-final replay against Western Gaels and players of the ilk of Nigel Dineen, Ger Heneghan and Enda Kenny are always going to give you problems. They have fine players who tend to play well for their club. Sometimes you get good individual players who don"t turn it on for their club - but Castlerea"s big players don"t fall into that category,' Eamonn said. The county final was originally scheduled to take place a couple of weeks ago but the replay saga between Castlerea and Western Gaels meant a long wait for Padraig Pearses, who themselves disposed of Clann na nGael (1-12 to 1-4) in their semi-final on September 14. Eamonn Mahon admits such preparations are hardly ideal. But he doesn"t feel it will come into play on Sunday. 'I don"t think it will affect our players, to be honest,' he said. 'It"s probably slightly disruptive but we have to be there on the day of the match and show what we can do on the day. We managed to play a couple of challenge matches in the meantime and defeated St Faithleach"s in the league semi-final last weekend (1-14 to 1-10). Those games have been good for us. It"s been a bit difficult waiting for the outcome of the other semi-final but there was nothing we could do about it,' he added. John O"Connell broke his leg earlier in the campaign and misses Sunday"s game but Eamonn Mahon felt it important to acknowledge the full-forward. 'John O"Connell has been a big loss. He is an influential member of the panel and is missed on the field,' Mahon said. Padraig Pearses had a couple of players carrying a slight bug in recent weeks but are expected to have a full strength panel - apart from John O"Connell - this weekend. Padraig Pearses earned a place in the quarter-final stage after emerging from a group containing Elphin and St Aidan"s. Kilmore provided a stern test in the quarter-final and took Padraig Pearses to a replay before Pearses eventually progressed on a 1-10 to 1-8 scoreline at Kiltoom. A comfortable 1-12 to 1-4 defeat of Clann na nGael then secured a place in the final. Sunday"s meeting of Padraig Pearses and Castlerea is also a repeat of the 1968 county final when Castlerea emerged winners at the old St Colman"s Park ground in Roscommon. Padraig Pearses are likely to field a team consisting of Tomás Dolan in goals and a backline of Denis Whyte, John Whyte, Padraic Kelly, Paul Kelly, Enda Barrett and Declan Duffy. In midfield, the inspirational Pat Connell is likely to be partnered by former county minor star Niall Carty. All six Padraig Pearses attackers - as well as Pat Connell and Niall Carty - registered scores from open play in the semi-final defeat of Clann na nGael, and the same forward line of Paul Duke, Gerry Kelly, Sean Fahy, Alan Duffy, Niall Finneran and Michael Duignan seem likely to take the field on Sunday. Among those Eamonn Mahon can also call upon in confidence include Ja Egan, Damien Donnellan, Eanna Ryan and Aidan Fallon. Castlerea only reached the latter stages of this year"s championship by virtue of scoring difference after losing to St Brigid"s but beating Strokestown at the group stage. Denis Kearney"s side went on to defeat Roscommon Gaels in the quarter-final (1-7 to 0-3), before shrugging off the attentions of Western Gaels following three hard semi-final matches. Castlerea will look towards the likes of county goalkeeper Geoffrey Claffey, Nigel Dineen, Padraic Duignan, Ger Heneghan, Enda Kenny and Mark Killilea. A hard and tenacious outfit, Castlerea have been many people"s fancy to claim the county title since reigning champions St Brigid"s were eliminated by Western Gaels. Castlerea have won the county championship on five previous occasions (1967, 68, 71, 73 and 2003). Throw-in at Dr Hyde Park on Sunday is scheduled for 3.30pm.