Preview: Caragh face a stiff test, but certainly can't be ruled out

It’s the final four as Caragh arrive at the same point Allenwood did 12 months ago and will be hoping that they can take their journey to the next stage and into an All-Ireland final.

The Kildare Intermediate champions will face Crossmolina Deel Rovers in the AIB All-Ireland Intermediate Club Football semi-final on January 4. The game throws in at 1pm in Pearse Park, Longford and will be shown live on TG4 Sport YouTube channel.

The other semi-final takes place in O’Connor Park in Tullamore as Kerry’s Austin Stacks take on Ballinderry Shamrocks of Derry.

From the remaining quartet, the Kerry side are favoured to bring home the lot among the bookmakers and the final is fixed for the following weekend at HQ.

The Kildare side enter the final four as the rank outsiders as they face a former All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship winning side (2001), and, while that win is some time ago now, it is certainly indicative of the club’s stature in Connacht football.

Despite that standing, Deel Rovers have spent six years attempting to return to senior level since their relegation in 2018 and finally did so with a win over Moy Davitts in this year’s county final.

They finally got over the line in a replay against the Moysiders with their first win over them in four attempts across the last two seasons. It was all about the closing stages for the now Intermediate champs as they hit 1-3 without reply late on to emerge as 1-13 0-12 victors.

It was into Connacht and, after convincingly navigating their way past Galway’s St Michaels, Deel Rovers faced Roscommon outfit Elphin in the final in another thrilling encounter.

Little has come easy for the Mayo men, but propelled by county stars Jordan Flynn and Conor Loftus they time and time again have emerged victorious.

Deel Rovers toppled Elphin 1-7 to 1-6 at Dr Hyde Park, they led 0-6 to 0-1 at the break, propelled by a strong wind. Elphin’s late attempts to capitalise on the conditions when it was their turn would not prove to be enough to bridge the gap.

After years of disappointment at not restoring their senior status, Deel Rovers now look intent on not being denied again this year and have dug deep at almost every turn. Caragh’s intensity will need to match or even supersede that.

Similar to their semi-final opponents, Caragh had no easy route through their county either as they faced Lexilip in a chaotic and wind-swept battle. Their 1-5 to 0-6 win was inspired by big moments that Leixlip were unable to match. The capitalising on a mistake at the back for a goal and Josh Gannon’s long-range stunner was propulsion enough to send them over the line.

Yet, the game that the Deel Rovers staff will be admiring will be their extra-time win over Feathard St Mogue’s as the Kildare men pulled a result out of the fire in added time in their Leinster semi-final.

Caragh trailed by three, at 2-12 to 1-12, before a long ball from Cathal McKennedy in the 60th minute was punched clear by a Mogue’s man. It was then gathered by Darragh Swords and drilled into the corner of the net to send the game into extra-time after looking dead and buried. It was an enormous moment for Caragh and a true display of nerve from Swords after an uncharacteristically quiet game.

Perhaps even more impressive was the minutes that followed as the Kildare champs dominated extra-time and emerged victorious by a six-point margin.

Caragh would go on to a commanding Leinster final over Naomh Mearnóg on a heavy pitch but on a lovely afternoon for football as it was described by our own Tommy Callaghan.

How they Match-Up

Both sides have mixed flourishing displays with stodgy wins this year and an All-Ireland semi-final in early January is no day for the weak.

It has been all about stepping up to the plate for Caragh this year and no man has solely shouldered responsibility.

Whether it’s Josh Gannon’s county final frees, Darragh Swords’ Leinster heroics or Jake Corrigan’s excellent 0-5 in the provincial final, different days have brought different men forward. The various 15 that occupy the Pearse Park pitch at any point on January 4 will have to be at their best to get past the Connacht champions.

Beyond the eye-catching intercounty names of Flynn and Loftus, Deel Rovers have young James Maheady who has been exceptional for them this year. Match reports from the Mayo News in 2024 rarely exclude the forward’s name and almost always refer to him in thrilling terms since his emergence from the underage ranks.

Maheady is an exciting and adventurous attacker who is about as shy in front of goal as a dog is in front of a ribeye. You imagine it will be between him and county man Jordan Flynn as to who Caragh’s tight-marking Ryan Burke will attach himself to for this semi-final.

Caragh have built their 2024 season on being as stingy as possibl e and they will need all of that in spades if they are to keep Deel Rovers quiet. They have been mightily impressive in that department to this point and whether they can or they cannot, we’ll have to find out on the day.

Going in the other direction, Darragh Swords and the recently returned Eoghan O’Haire will be looked to at the business end of the field. O’Haire is a reliable set-piece man and Swords is the star in an exciting frontline alongside Doorey, Gannon and Corrigan.

It is a difficult match-up for the Kildare side, they face a resilient and a thrilling side in Crossmolina Deel Rovers. Before a ball is kicked, you would have to give the edge to Deel Rovers. Based on this year’s showings, they appear as stern as Caragh with superior firepower.

The previously discussed attackers are propped up by the likes of Kevin Mulhern at the back, who is the centre-piece of a mean defence.

However, stats and indications never won a game of football and it all comes down to their showing on January 4.

Caragh will meet Crossmolina Deel Rovers in the All-Ireland Intermediate Club Football semi-final at 1pm in Pearse Park, Longford, with a spot in Croke Park up for grabs.