We’ll need to be at our best: James McCarthy

Wednesday night's Dublin SFC semi-final between Ballymun Kickhams and St Vincent's promises to be a high octane duel and Mun star James McCarthy is looking forward to the clash at Parnell Park (7.30).

“It’s a huge game for us and ever since the draw was made on Thursday night, it’s a game that we’re really looking forward to," says James.

“You can ask no more at this time of the year than to be involved in a semi-final of the championship and the fact that we are playing against St Vincent’s only adds to the anticipation amongst our lads."

The sides have become familiar adversaries in recent years with Vinnies holding the advantage in the head-to-heads.

“We know how tough it is going to be for us as they have been at the top of the tree for the last few years.

"They’ll be looking to qualify for their fourth final on the bounce and they have a lot of quality all the way through their team so we know that we’ll need to be at our best to get the better of them," adds the Ballymun Kickhams man.

“The finals three years ago were two great games and the crowds that turned up on both days were amazing.

“We were hugely disappointing that we didn’t come through, especially in the first game, when we thought we had done enough to retain our title.

“It wasn’t to be for us in the replay and last year we just didn’t turn up and Vincent’s beat us easily.

“We weren’t at the races for whatever reason and our performance was a bit embarrassing to be honest and we’ll be looking to put that right tomorrow night," concludes James.

Thursday night sees St Jude's and Castleknock enter the Parnell Park arena (7.30) in the second semi-final.

The final takes place on Saturday week.