County JBFC final preview: Goleen v Douglas

SUNDAY: Bon Secours Hospital County Junior B Football Championship final: Goleen v Douglas, Páirc Uí Rinn, 4pm 

The 2023 decider pits Goleen’s first team against Douglas’ third string in a novel pairing that should draw a large crowd to Páirc Uí Rinn.

Goleen are back in the decider after losing three county finals at this level over the last few years. They will hope it’s fourth time lucky.

Goleen defeated St Oliver Plunkett's 4-4 to 1-11 in the Carbery decider back in October. The West Cork side have had a bit of time to prepare for this final while also having a good look at the other side of the draw develop. The team in black and gold beat Dungourney 1-9 to 1-5 in the county quarter-final and played their semi-final three weeks ago when they beat Garnish by eight points, 0-15 to 1-4, played in front of a huge crowd in Skibbereen. 

Douglas won the Seandún championship after a 2-8 to 0-13 victory over St Finbarr's third team in the decider and then took care of Tracton in the county quarter-final three weeks ago, a couple of hours after Goleen booked their place in the final. Douglas were always in control as they defeated their opposition on a scoreline of 0-15 to 0-8.

The city outfit came through a very entertaining contest against Ballinora’s second team in the semi-final last Saturday evening. It was a game that was in the melting pot right to the very end with Douglas just about coming out on the right side on a scoreline of 1-11 to 2-5. Douglas' ability to react and get a score when Ballinora put on the pressure last weekend will please the management team. Eoin O'Flynn, Mark Dolan and Harry Quilligan will be important players for Douglas on Sunday.

It’s a very difficult game to predict. Goleen will feel they have been the bridesmaid in three finals in recent years and that this is their moment in the sun. They will bring a big crowd up from West Cork, that’s for sure, and if they can bring that semi-final performance and a small bit more they will have every chance of making it fourth time lucky. Darren O’Donovan has been in excellent form for his side and will be an integral player for Goleen along with Jack O’Driscoll and Michael O’Reilly.

It’s a quick turnaround for Douglas, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Despite it being their third team, there is no shortage of talented footballers and they will pose a huge challenge for their opposition.

It should be an intriguing encounter.