No room for sentiment as rivals clash in big Westmeath showdown

Having witnessed Shandonagh and Milltown draw in an absorbing first-round clash, this scribe felt the two sides were destined to meet again in a shootout for this year’s Intermediate title.

For the neutrals, it's the clash they hoped for from the start. After last year’s final it was pretty obvious Shandonagh were going to be serious contenders again. They looked the team to beat in all respects. Their incremental improvement mirrors what Tubberclair have achieved in the senior grade and both clubs are on course to become established in the top flight.

There were wobbles, but Shandonagh are back in the final and look just as formidable as last year. However, standing in their way to the promised land are neighbours Miltown and there is no room for sentiment on Sunday.

Shandonagh dropped points against Sunday’s opposition in round one and were beaten by St Malachy’s in the group stages, but after overpowering Ballinagore, they duly avenged the St Malachy's defeat in the semi-final.

There was a significant cost, though. Brian Kavanagh, their talisman at full-forward, was sent off in the latter stages of the semi-final and will miss Sunday's decider. There’s undoubted quality there, but without their marquee forward, Shandonagh are less potent. It means the opposing defence can breathe a sigh of relief; their workload is suddenly less onerous.

Momentum may now be with Milltown. That’s always a dangerous proposition. New manager Barry Downey brings experience and wisdom to the group having cut his teeth in other counties and that can only be a plus. Having topped the group, they got past Rosemount in the semi-final, as expected, and they present a serious challenge to Shandonagh in Sunday’s intriguing local derby.

There are similarities to last year also. Milltown, just like Tubberclair, will be physically imposing and they won’t take a backward step. They have players with Westmeath experience, including Conor Dillon, Jack Duncan, Sean Dillon (U20) and Henry Duncan (U20), adding to their prowess. Conor Gibney is a serious presence at centre back.

Conor Dillon makes them tick in so many ways and his ability to range the pitch generally comes to the fore. He relishes the man-marking role and could cross swords with fellow Leinster senior winner Danny Scahill on the opposition side. That is just one of many fascinating jousts in this final.

Jack Duncan is a dangerous forward and the Shandonagh defence, prone to errors, need to be on their guard.

If Milltown come to this final with strength and growing belief, Shandonagh are there on merit. They have experience of senior football, too, and came so close to returning to the top tier last year. It seems inevitable they will complete that journey - the question is when?

The Kilpatrick club will want promotion to senior level now and it fits their profile. Scahill is outstanding, but they have other quality players in Tom Molloy, Adam Treanor, Maitiú Scully and improving midfielder Caelum Faughnan. Luke Tynan brings experience and quality to the attack also, adding to Molloy’s threat. Simon Carr’s tireless workrate is another plus.

Yes, Kavanagh (scorer of 5-55 in the championship) is a massive loss, but good teams find a way to cope with adversity. Ray Sheridan will hope his Shandonagh side have learned enough and developed sufficiently to do so on Sunday.

Like Shandonagh, Milltown have been operating at the upper level of this grade and have been in the final, losing to Garrycastle two years ago in a replay. Both teams have had their shaky spells and most likely the side that brings it all together on Sunday will prevail. Milltown are unlikely to win it with the 1-12 they posted against Rosemount, but they have shot impressive totals at times, including the 3-16 they scored in round one against Shandonagh.

Scoring power has been Shandonagh’s trump card to date and has often bailed them out when their defence has been porous. There’s no room for that at this stage, no margin for error against a hungry opposition.

This has the potential to be fiery, too. Niall Ward, one of the most experienced referees in the business, is geographically the perfect choice. Alan Coyne is the county’s top whistler, but Niall Ward has a level of club and inter-county experience that make him an ideal fit. He will have his hands full after last year’s controversial semi-final and he will be keen to set out his stall early and not let things get out of hand.

It finished Shandonagh 2-19, Milltown 3-16 when they met earlier. Shandonagh should have won but indiscipline cost them and Milltown salvaged a draw against 14 men after Shandonagh led by 2-15 to 2-8 in the second half.

It would be foolhardy to make a definite call on Sunday’s outcome, but Shandonagh will feel their time has come and that they have the edge on their neighbours in terms of progression. Yet Milltown have already shown they can match them. It is a final very much in the balance and how Shandonagh cope with Duncan's threat might well decide things. Weather conditions are forecaset wet and blustery and that may contribute to a very tense battle.