Tubberclair face Louth test for place in Leinster final

Irrespective of what happens in their Leinster semi-final tomorrow (Saturday), it has already been a hugely memorable year for Tubberclair GAA.

The club has achieved their prime objective of winning the Westmeath intermediate championship, and their U-20 team won the Division 1 county title, offering more reason to believe a bright future lies ahead.

On Saturday, however, Tubberclair have the chance to add another chapter to the success story as they face Hunterstown Rovers of Louth with a place in the Leinster intermediate final at stake. Saturday’s Leinster semi-final takes place on Louth soil, at the home ground of Stabannon Parnells (throw-in 1.30pm).

Ironically, it was Stabannon Parnells whom Hunterstown defeated in the Louth intermediate final. Having won their county crown, Rovers have since defeated Wicklow intermediate champions Hollywood (4-17 to 2-7) and Park Ratheniska of Laois (0-11 to 0-6).

Louth football has enjoyed a wonderful year, winning their first Leinster title since 1957 by defeating Meath in the final amid a frenzied atmosphere at Croke Park. The Wee County also won the Leinster U20 title and contested the provincial minor final.

Hunterstown’s best known player is Louth attacker Ryan Burns, an All-Star nominee this year. Another player to watch out for is Micheál Reid, who was on this year’s Leinster title-winning Louth U20 team - a side which also contested the All-Ireland final against Tyrone. Rovers are jointly managed by Sean Kelly (a former Meath player) and Sean Barry.

Louth clubs have a strong track record in the Leinster club intermediate championship, with four winners from the Wee County over the years.

In contrast, no Westmeath team has ever won the Leinster title at this grade. Tubberclair are one of three Westmeath clubs to reach the final, doing so in 2009 when losing out narrowly to Maynooth, the others being Rosemount in 2016 and Athlone in 2015.

On the way to this year’s Leinster semi-finals, Tubberclair defeated Kilkenny senior champions Mullinavat (3-17 to 2-9) and Wexford intermediate winners St Martin’s (2-27 to 0-1). The goals against Mullinavat came from Fred Kelleher, Dáire O’Connor and Matthew Whittaker, with Eoghan McCabe contributing 0-7, while Kealan Connell raised both green flags in the one-sided quarter-final.

That facile win over St Martin’s - who rested several players in preparation for last Sunday’s Leinster senior hurling semi-final - will hardly serve as much preparation for what will be a very different test on Saturday.

These are exciting times for Tubberclair, with the club’s second team keeping the positive vibes going by defeating Milltown last Saturday to secure their place in the Westmeath junior ‘B’ final.

Off the field, Tubberclair GAA has purchased land beside their existing pitch and the club has ambitious plans to improve its facilities. A major fundraising campaign was recently launched and it has received a highly positive response.

Tubberclair are the last Westmeath team standing in Leinster club championships this year. Senior football champions The Downs and junior winners Ballinagore bowed out at the first time of asking. It was a similar story in hurling, with defeats for Castletown Geoghegan, Delvin and St Brigid’s.

Incidentally, Tubberclair’s sister club Goldsmiths were knocked out of the Leinster LGFA Intermediate Championship by Louth champions St Fechin’s who went on to win the Leinster title. Tubberclair supporters will be hoping for a different outcome when their side, managed by Daniel Sammon and Keith Higgins, face Louth opposition on Saturday.

The other Leinster intermediate semi-final will see Offaly senior ‘B’ champions Clara take on a highly rated Sallins outfit from Kildare in Newbridge on Sunday. Tubberclair would surely relish the challenge of taking on either of those teams in a Leinster final, but in order to do so, they must cross what promises to be a very challenging hurdle against Hunterstown Rovers on Saturday.