Close encounters in prospect in the Longford LGFA Intermediate & Junior finals

Junior Championship Final: Ballymahon Forgney v Rathcline at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 11.30am  

Starting the ball rolling is the meeting of Ballymahon Forgney and Rathcline in the Junior title decider (throw-in 11.30am) and a close encounter is in prospect.

The Lanesboro outfit will be going all out to make amends for the disappointment of losing to Mullinalaghta in the 2022 final.

Their key players are Sarah Farrell, Aoife Nolan, Cait Kiely, Lara O’Sullivan, Eabha Healy and Grace Cullen along with the vastly experienced Ann Duffy and Caoimhe Murray who have both returned to the squad after a few years absence.  

After the setback of relegation from the Intermediate grade last year, Ballymahon Forgney are bidding to make an immediate return to the second tier and will be looking to Muireann Claffey, Shannon Reed, Sarah Horan, Ava Fallon, Nessa Finn and newcomer, Wexford native Aisling Cronin, to make a big impact.

There would appear to be nothing separating the sides with the group stage clash ending up all square and it was also a draw in the Division 2 league fixture earlier in the season.

The battle for the Junior championship title could go either way with Ballymahon Forgney given a hesitant vote to come out on top.

Prediction: Ballymahon Forgney 

Intermediate Championship Final: Dromard v St Brigid’s Ardagh at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 1.30pm  

Dromard are contesting the Intermediate Football Championship final for the third year in succession after suffering the hurt of losing to Colmcille in 2021 and Grattans in 2022.

The return of Mairead Reynolds, who did not feature in last year’s final, is a big boost and she is expected to play a leading role at midfield in the title showdown on Saturday against St Brigid’s Ardagh (throw-in 1.30pm). 

The team captain Karen McLoughlin, Emma Bleakley, Kate McEntire, Elena O’Reilly Ellen Murphy and Shauna Hagan will also be very determined to make their presence felt at Pearse Park in Dromard’s fierce desire for championship glory. 

St Brigid’s Ardagh have made a lot of progress in recent years and after winning the 2021 Junior county title in such emphatic fashion they are now just a step away from a spot in the top flight next year.

Resilient defender Leanne Keegan and the promising Sian Gallagher at midfield will be leading the charge for Ardagh while attacker Anna Hayden is also well capable of making a big impact.  

When the sides clashed in the group stage, St Brigid’s won by four points and a repeat result may well materialise in a probable tight affair.

Prediction: St Brigid’s Ardagh