THE Moss Carrig Memorial Cup will be housed on the N69 Coastal Road for the next 12 months following the qualification of next-door neighbours Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan (ABK) and St Senan’s for this Sunday’s lunchtime Griffin Coaches Intermediate Football Final here at Seán Finn Park, Rathkeale.
At the same venue, in the opening semi-final, two-time champions (2003 and ‘17), St Senan’s surprised Cappagh, 0-16 to 0-14, on Saturday.
A haul of 12 points, including four two-pointers, from captain James Naughton was the feature of the outing.
Aside Naughton, whose 4-12 with Limerick against Waterford back in the spring is an individual scoring feat never likely to be touched, the Saints have useful performers in goalkeeper Jack Lane, Stephen Kearney, Cillian Meade, Darragh Woulfe, Ray O’Flaherty, Oisín O’Farrell, Senan O’Brien, and Adam Kearns.
At nearby Mick Neville Park, ABK stunned Galbally, 1-16 to 0-18, in the other semi on Tuesday.
It was an enthralling encounter, one in which winning stars included goalkeeper Jamie Dolan, scorer of a brilliant six points including a pair of two-pointers, Pakie Moran and Joey Rushe, whose impressive five point haul included the winning free at the death.
Aside from Messrs Dolan, Moran and Rushe, other lead players for ABK include Bill Casey, Luke Gammell, Alan McGrath (captain), Shane Gallagher, James O’Meara and Danny Neville.
Replacing Na Piarsaigh in Senior Football for 2026 is the ultimate prize on offer to today’s finalists, along with an imminent Munster Championship away trip to either Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary) or Aghabullogue (Cork) on November 23.
ABK enter as favourites but, as both semi-finals proved, there could easily be victory for the underdogs.
Donnacha O’Callaghan will referee.