﻿KEVIN CASSIDY: The final we expected

FROM very early doors this season, once the draw was made, talk began to circulate about the possibility of a final showdown between Kilcoo and Scotstown.

The history is there between them and when you add in the quality of both teams, then you understand why a lot of the neutrals could see this game happening. Both teams are similar in that they are carrying a bit of pain from previous defeats.

I’m sure Kilcoo are still hurting from last year’s final defeat against Errigal Ciaran, and it’s no secret that Scotstown have suffered final agony on a number of occasions in the recent past. There will be some fire in this game.

Before we get into the game itself, it’s fair to say that I’m certain both of these teams will have been watching the rest of the finals all over the country these past two weeks. They now have a clear picture of the road ahead.

I said here about six weeks ago that whoever would win Ulster would take some stopping.

On the final itself, I think this could be a real a classic, even one for the ages. We have already touched on the quality of both sets of players. Add in the new rules that have come into play since the last time these two teams met, and it is all set for a real humdinger.

We have a fair idea of how Kilcoo will approach this game. They have become so comfortable breaking teams down by being ultra-secure at the back and then punishing teams with their lightning counter-attacks.

On the other hand, Scotstown showed us this year that they have a nice mix to their game.

They can also move the ball at pace with their kick-passing game but likewise they are also comfortable with their slow methodical build-up, so this one should be interesting.

There is no doubt that Kilcoo won’t allow Rory Begban to dictate games like he has been this year, both with his two-point frees and also coming from deep, so Scotstown will have to be ready for this. Both of these teams are very experienced so the occasion won’t be a factor this weekend.

I have been over and back all week in terms of who I think will win it. There is no doubt that Scotstown deserve this title but deserving and winning are two totally different things.

Kilcoo are just so difficult to beat so for that reason I’ll go with Kilcoo, but only just.

It’s the season to be jolly, however it is also the season of the manager merry-go-round.

This week in Donegal, St Eunan’s have flexed their muscles by announcing that Kieran Donnelly is set to become their new manager.

There is no doubting that the Cathedral town club are capable of pulling of such a move whereas a lot of other clubs just wouldn’t be in that position.

It’s a big call for the club because, I may be wrong, but I think this is the first time that such an appointment has happened here in Donegal.

Granted clubs bring in outside coaches from different clubs or indeed maybe some from different counties, but I think this is the first high-profile county-standard manager that has been brought into a club. I’m sure that in itself will bring its own challenges.

St Eunan’s are a big club with a big population so I’d say that this decision wasn’t taken lightly.

The main aim for them, and indeed for Kieran, will be to try and ensure that it works for everyone at the club and not just the senior team.

With this sort of statement, I’m just not sure a Donegal Championship will cut it.

Perhaps that’s what the St Eunan’s board are looking at and, if so, then all the best to them for their vision.