Huge day ahead for Johnstownbridge's camog as they look to cap remarkable rise

It has gone almost full circle for both Johnstownbridge and Myshall in recent years, as two teams who have crossed paths in the Junior ranks are about to go to battle once more, except this time they will be competing for the Leinster Intermediate Championship title.

It was back in 2013 when Myshall captured their second All-Ireland Junior Championship title in a row that they bested Johnstownbridge on their route to Croke Park, defeating the Kildare side by three points in that year’s Leinster final. They were promoted to the Intermediate Championship grade the following year, and earlier this year they were queens of Croke Park for the first time as they claimed All-Ireland honours in this grade.

Their capture of an 18th straight Carlow championship title added more silverware to their cabinet this year, but Johnstownbridge will not travel to Dr Cullen Park with any fears that they are coming up against a runaway train of a side.

The Carlow outfit are certainly formidable, but their story is perhaps one that the Kildare champions can look to emulate. Johnstownbridge won their second All-Ireland Junior Championship title in a row last year, propelling them into the Intermediate grade. They’ve looked at home so far as wins over Naomh Eanna of Wexford and St Rynagh’s from Offaly has seen them progress to the final, and a first provincial title at Intermediate level is well within their grasp.

Once again, Johnstownbridge will look to the likes of Siobhán Hurley and Clodagh Flanagan for inspiration, while their defence will be most strenuously tested by the scoring power of Carlow star Ciara Quirke.

Throw-in for the game in Carlow is at 12.30pm on Sunday and precedes the Leinster Senior Championship final between St Martin’s(Wexford) and Thomastown(Kilkenny) at 2.30pm.