Minor football: Champions bid to retain titles in both finals 

It’s Minors on Monday as the finals of the Premier 1 and 2 football championships take place next Monday night.

In both competitions, the defending champions are in the finals as they bid to make it two in a row.

First up, at 6.30pm at Páirc Ui Rinn, are Donoughmore and St Finbarr’s in the Premier 2 decider.

Donoughmore are the title holders and so far, have shown they won’t be handing over the cup easily.

On their run to the final, they have notched 13 goals in wins over Na Piarsaigh, Kilshannig, Youghal and Clonakilty.

This is a quality side, backboned by some of the players that were involved last year which includes the likes of Tom Murphy, Liam O’Sullivan, Jack Murphy, Jack McCarthy, Daniel Honohan, Daniel Holland, and Scott Barrett.

The experience of last year will stand to them, but they know they face a quality side in the Barrs if they are to retain their title.

The Togher side were dealt a blow during the week when centre-back Daniel Burke was ruled out with an ACL injury and he is a huge loss for them. All involved with the club and Rebel Óg wish him the best for a speedy recovery.

To reach the final they had wins over Mallow, Bandon, Macroom, and Ibane Gaels, and certainly won’t fear their opponents.

For them, they will look to the likes of Evan Malone and James Murray to lead their attack, and behind them Conor O’Donoghue, Eoin Barrett, and Conor Garvey will have a big say in the outcome.

It should be a highly entertaining game, and there won’t be much in it come the end of the 60 minutes.

Ballincollig will then take to the field as they will also attempt to hold onto their crown against Glanmire.

The Village have been the team to beat in this championship, once they settled after their first round robin game.

In that they drew with Kinsale, and it gave them a wake-up call that has seen them get better with every game.

Following on from that draw, they proved too strong for Nemo in their next outing, and in their final group game they faced Douglas.

Both were through, but Ballincollig laid down a marker as they tore Douglas apart to win by 4-13 to 1-11.

Following that, they took on near-neighbours Éire Óg in the semi-final, with the memory of the loss last year to them fresh in their minds.

This time, they made no mistake as they won by 3-13 to 0-11 to reach the decider.

This side is packed full of quality players, and they will be favourites on the night. Peter Rose, Cian O’Connor, Ethan Donovan, Kevin O’Leary, Cian Ahern, Danny and Joe Miskella, and Tadgh Murphy are all quality players and will be a handful for Glanmire.

For their part, Glanmire had wins over Carrigaline and Éire Óg in the group stages before they faced Douglas in the semi-final.

Games between these two have been close coming up through the grades, but not this time.

Glanmire blitzed Douglas early on and ran out winners 3-12 to 1-7, a massive confidence-building win for them.

Some of these players will also line out for Sarsfields in the hurling final a week later and will be looking to complete the football and hurling double.

Jack Tierney, Cormac Fennessy, Tom O’Flynn, Rory Higgins, Harry Cogan, and Finn O’Connor will be expected to lead their challenge as they bid to upset the champions.

FIXTURES

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

Premier 1 MFC final: Ballincollig v Glanmire, Páirc Uí Rinn, 8pm.

Premier 1 MFC final: Donoughmore v St Finbarr’s, Páirc Uí Rinn, 6.30pm.