If the second instalment lives up to the entertainment provided in the first one, Saturday’s replayed semi-final between Monasterevan and St Kevin’s will be another cracker.
Both sides played close to their best at times, but there were also worrying aspects of either team’s performance in a game which was dominated by the blues in the first half and then by the black and reds in the second.
Perhaps worryingly for Monasterevan, it was the second game in a row where they have slumped in the second half of both of their two most recent victories, allowing Ballyteague and St Kevin’s to come back into games that already looked over. If they build up a head of steam like they have done in recent weeks and remain solid until late in the game, Monasterevan have all they need to reach a county final.
Padraig Nash has been arguably the standout player in this year’s Intermediate Championship, while Wayne Fitzpatrick has been ably assisting the Kildare U20 star up front for the south Kildare side. The two of them clicking is key to Monasterevan’s gameplan, and they have been superb in recent weeks.
St Kevin’s will have to shift things around in defence to ensure that the attacking duo will not exert as much influence on proceedings on Saturday, and they will need to get more from their attack too.
Declan Flaherty has been superb when fed with possession, and Kevin’s should be looking to supply the big full-forward with any manner of ball as he has the capabilities of winning it high, low or into chest.
Another intriguing battle lies in wait, and Monasterevan have the arsenal to fire themselves towards a county final if they perform for the full 60-plus minutes.
Verdict: Monasterevan
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