Cross look to prove they are the real Deal

AIB All-Ireland Club IFC Semi-Final 

Crossmolina Deel Rovers v Caragh (Kildare) 

Saturday, January 4 

1pm in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, Longford 

REF: Kieran Eannetta (Tyrone) 

Jordan Flynn said in the wake of their Connacht success against Elphin that Christmas will have been a quiet one in Crossmolina, but the New Year will bring a wave of celebration not seen for two decades should they manage to reach a first All-Ireland final in almost 21 years.

The Deel men now stand 60 minutes away from a return to Croke Park, a first since St Patrick’s Day 2003 when they reached the senior final for a second time in three years after their historic success in 2001 and a new generation of men look to write their names in local folklore.

Managed by one of the men from that great team in Brian Benson, they were widely seen as favourites for the Connacht title after defeating Moy Davitts in a replayed intermediate final.

They comfortably saw off St Michaels in the Connacht semi-final before edging out Roscommon champions Elphin for a first Connacht title since 2002.

It will be the stiffest of tests thus far however for Benson’s men against the Kildare and Leinster intermediate champions. Michael Browne, in his first year in charge of the club has had a major impact on this team, guiding the club back to the Kildare senior championship after a narrow win over Leixlip in the intermediate final.

They had to play double the amount of games compared to Crossmolina in their own provincial championship, with wins over Meath Hill and Dicksboro before coming through an epic semi-final against Fethard St Mogue’s in extra-time. Naomh Mearnóg of Dublin were the opposition in the Leinster final but a strong final quarter saw Caragh win a first ever provincial title.

Three of the top 10 scorers in the provincial stages are from Caragh, with Darragh Swords leading the way with 1-19 and Leinster final hero Jake Corrigan not far behind with 3-11, while another forward Ronan Doorey has also impressed, scoring 1-8.

But Crossmolina’s own firepower is just as impressive. Fionan Duffy, James Maheady and county and Connacht final hero Niall Coggins have been immense while senior county men Conor Loftus and Jordan Flynn have the experience of the biggest occasions in Gaelic football behind them.

It will be close but if Crossmolina with the belief, guile and intensity like they’ve done throughout this championship, a trip to HQ will be on the cards the following week.