KEVIN CASSIDY: A new year, a new challenge

WHILE the rest of us burn off the turkey and start to get the mind and bodies back in the game after the festive period, spare a thought for those club players preparing for one of the biggest games of their lives.

As we all get back in the wagon on New Year’s Day, four of the top club teams in the country are left standing as they prepare to do battle. I can’t imagine the dedication and preparation that would’ve gone into each and every one of those clubs over the festive period because at Christmas, more so than any other time of year, it’s extra difficult to stay in your competitive routine.

We experienced this back in 2018 after we won the Ulster title here in Gaoth Dobhair, but the difference back then was that the semi-final was fixed for February. That gave you some sort of lead in, to try and get your body right again. I can’t imagine the difficulties a fixture on the first weekend in January would pose.

No, I am not for one minute suggesting that those teams are not absolutely delighted to be in the position that they are, but I’m only highlighting the logistical nightmare that it brings in order to make sure that your team is absolutely ready for the battle ahead.

Like I said, in 2018 we went through it and we planned our festive season well enough. We were training every second day and limiting our alcohol intake and all that goes with preparation.

That said, we all know that as we retire to our homes in the evening, there is always those sweets, crisps and drinks lying about and it’s really, really difficult to stay on top of your diet at this time of year.

In 2018 we had four or five weeks where we could get our bodies and minds back in the game again, so it wasn’t that difficult of a challenge to make sure that you are ready for the semi-final. Personally, I would have struggled with a fixture this close to Christmas.

When we look at the games themselves, we have two absolute classics in store. If we start with the Ballyboden and Dingle game, for anyone who loves open expansive football, this is definitely a game that will get you excited.

Both of these teams like to play fast front foot football, so it should make for an exciting contest. Midway through the Dublin championship I tipped Ballyboden as one of the teams to watch because I just felt that they had a strong structure and look to their team. When you add in the likes of the Basquel brothers and Galway’s Céin D’Arcy, then they are a formidable force.

Dingle are a team littered with individual talent but they also have that togetherness given the number of brothers and relatives that are playing together. The fact that Mark O’Connor has been available to them has given them a massive boost. His presence around that midfield sector is absolutely massive in terms of what Dingle can bring to the table.

If I was to put my head on the block, I think that the Dublin champions just might have a little too much for the Kerry kingpins but at this stage of the game you can’t rule anyone out.

Scotstown and St Brigid’s do battle in the other semi-final. It is the same in this clash. Both of these teams are laced with some superb individual players and this should be another cracking game.

The Monaghan champions finally got their Ulster medal a few weeks ago. The big question now for them is whether or not they can kick on from that and grab this opportunity by the scruff of the neck.

Again, having experienced what they have back in 2018, I myself look back at our semi-final with a little bit of regret. You do not get to those stages of the competition that often. For me, once you are there you have to move heaven and earth to make sure that you make the most of the opportunity that is presented to you.

St Brigid’s have tradition in this competition so they won’t fear Scotstown and they will have their eye firmly fixed on reaching the decider.

For me this is really a 50-50 game and it could go either way and that’s what makes these pairings so special. If I was to put my head on the block, I will go for Ballyboden and Scotstown to make the final.