PREVIEW: Sallins look set to take the final step in Kildare IFC Final

The stage is set for the 2025 National Electrical Wholesalers Kildare Intermediate Football Championship Final with two teams that were picked for success before a ball was even kicked.

Sallins and St Laurence’s were two of the first names mentioned as Championship contenders this year with the former a long-threatening force coming off the back of fourth place finish in Division 1 and Larries only just down from Senior level. It is however Sallins, in their first IFC final since 2003, who are the fancied choice to go the whole way when the teams face off at 5pm on Saturday, October 18 in Cedral St Conleth’s Park.

After extensive build-up to the final four clash with Milltown, Sallins answered all the questions asked of them in their Semi-Final and still haven’t had a team within 10 points of them in this year’s Championship. Milltown presented Sallins’ toughest task on paper but undoubtedly under-performed in a game impacted by the weather conditions. The result may not have been different but it was a shame to see such a tantalising fixture reduced to a meteorological management exercise. None of which is said to detract from the eventual winners who weathered a storm of their own after half-time as Milltown came flying out of the blocks.

Sallins kept a strangle hold on this game as they have in so many this year and on current form they look like one of the strongest Intermediate teams that Kildare has produced. If they were to emerge through this county final test, you might back them to go deep into Leinster and beyond given what they have shown within the bounds of the Short Grass County.
From Sallins’ weather management to game management, Larries also had to structure their in-game plans around a heavy breeze. They carried a six-point lead in at half-time, which many, including this writer didn’t think would be enough to carry them into the decider. However, Two Mile House could scarcely bridge that gap if they couldn't get hold of the ball and Noel Mooney’s team made sure they had as little of it as possible. It was a mature display from still a very young team and they held their nerve in possession coming down the home stretch, which is much harder than it sounds because if it was that simple then everyone would do it.

Match-Up
Noel Mooney is a proven commodity at this level and Jonathan Daniels has plenty of Championship-winning experience under his belt too, so what way will they approach this game? For Sallins it is likely to be much the same as it has been all year and the conundrum more so lies with Larries. With the penetrative quality of both Dalton’s, Luke Killian’s ability to carry the ball, and Cian Grimes’ distance shooting, the idea of containment seems fanciful unless Sallins were to be excessively nervy on the day. Larries will instead have to be right at it and need to get a hold of the ball for stretches to give their backline a break, a backline that to their credit was brilliantly organised and disciplined in their Semi-Final win.

It doesn’t make for a thrilling prediction but Sallins should have enough to win this one and they look ready to take that next step and then some. Larries will no doubt remain a coming force with a very young outfit and a brilliant manager.

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