St Patrick’s Day is usually about big parades, shamrock shakes and
the pride of being Irish. But when you go past the big false furry
green Irishiness, there is the small matter of the All-Ireland football
club finals.
 

Croke Park is the venue yet again for the biggest pride at club level
and more to the point there is a Dublin side representing the capital
this hallmark Irish day.

The Vincent’s side has been nothing short of outstanding this year
and
their ability to continually prove the doubters wrong that maybe there
is an All-Ireland championship in this team.They strolled through the
Dublin championship this year beating St Brigid’s on their way to
success on the capital.

After that no one really gave them a chance of progressing any further.
This was the first time they had won their provincial title since 1984.
But there should have been more notice given to the up surge in their
fortunes. They were only narrowly defeated by UCD in the 2006 final,
but put it right at the second time asking.

In the last round no one gave them any hope against four times
All-Ireland champions Crossmaglen Rangers. The south Armagh outfit was
bowled over after Vincent’s opted to play with the wind and it proved
vital after they lead by ten.

Unable

The reigning championships were unable to come back from the
mountain-like-lead set out by the Marino men. Strong defending and a
little bit of luck helped them through to only their second All-Ireland
final.
Their only other success came way back in 1976. Current boss Mickey
Whelan was involved last time around 22 years ago when the Dublin side
last tasted the glory and hopes his time has come again. But they will
have it all to do as they face, Nemo Rangers on the March 17, the most
successful side in the championship, with eight titles to their name.

The Trabeg side over came a resilient Ballina in the other semi final
and the rangers captain Naill Geary has sent out a word of warning to
his team mates after their side yet again let another sloppy second
half goal.

“We’ll have to have a look at that, because there was another one
like that in the Munster final against Ballinacourty,” Geary stated.

Talent

 He went on to say that the talent in the Vincent’s forward, with the
likes of Tomas Quinn and Diarmuid Connelly, that if they are given the
chance that a sloppy goal “could kill you if it comes earlier in the
game.”

Despite that, the Cork men are favorites while the Dublin side at eves to be crowned.

- Dermot Milton