Preview: AIB Leinster Club Intermediate Football Quarter Final- Scoil Uí Chonaill v Roche Emmets

Wed, 1st November 2023

By Conor Martin

Scoil Uí Chonaill begin their AIB Leinster Club Intermediate Football Championship journey with a road trip to Darver this weekend, as they take on Louth’s Roche Emmets.

The Clontarf club have enjoyed a successful 2023 and put in several solid performances on their way to winning the Go-Ahead Intermediate Football Championship earlier this week.

Their excellent performances throughout the Championship saw them deservedly through to the last four.

A goal from the penalty spot courtesy of Andy Bunyan was the difference between them and Clann Mhuire as they secured a return to senior football in Dublin for 2024.

They would go out to beat Parnells in the final in an exciting encounter that needed extra-time to separate the two teams. Emmett Rogan was on form with his free-taking as he was in his side's semi-final as he notched up (0-9, 0-8f).

Corner-back Paudí Conlon would be the hero with a last-gasp point to secure the title for the men from Clontarf Road.

Their quarter-final opponents, Roche Emmets, are Louth Intermediate Football champions for the first time since 1997. They also won their county final decider by just a single point, beating O'Raghallaighs of Drogheda 0-12 to 1-8, and are looking forward to playing senior football for the first time since 2006 next year.

After getting through the group stage and quarter-finals, they overcame Kilkerley, winning 0-15 to 1-11 to book a spot in the final, with the midfield duo of Glen Stewart and Dan O’Connell both putting in notable performances.

The club from Rafthduff set the pace against their neighbours O'Raghallaighs in the final before they allowed their opposition back into the game and allowed them to take charge of the final as Roche went into half-time trailing and needed an improved performance in the second-half.

Barry O’Hare answered his club's call and ran the full-forward line on the way to picking up 10 points of Emmets total of 0-12. Gerry Browne and DD Reilly were the other two men on the scoresheet as the 26-year wait for an intermediate title ended.

The Louth side go into Saturday’s game high on momentum. They have already featured in Leinster action, as they beat Ballycommon from Offaly in the first round of the provincial championship.

Ballycommon never really threatened the Louth intermediate champs, as O’Hare put in another solid performance, as did Liam Dawe and Shane Byrne, to set up a clash with the Dublin champions.

Roche have talent all over the pitch and they can cause Scoil Uí Chonaill a headache should the Dubliners take them lightly.

However, the Dublin club can call upon Rob Kennedy, Brendan Murray, Conor Dixon and Ryan Keane, who all have the ability to be a threat in attack.