Farrelly is 'Cian' to lead Killoe to the summit of Longford football once again

County final day is an occasion Killoe captain Cian Farrelly is no stranger to. The 29-year-old is remarkably in the hunt for a sixth senior football championship medal this Sunday as he leads out a team who are looking to reclaim their status as the kings of Longford football once again.

Should Farrelly and company realise that longed for aim, it will be a return to a promised land the Killoe wing forward is well schooled in.

Back in 2012 Cian was a promising 18-year-old squad member under the tutelage of former manager and Killoe stalwart Tommy McCormack.

Fast forward over a decade and the project manager with dairy co-op Tirlán has no fewer than five senior championship winning medals in his collection.

It’s a feat the affable Killoe man is quick to play down ahead of Sunday’s eagerly awaited encounter with Clonguish.

“We (Killoe) got to win five finals (2012, 2014, 2015, 2019 and 2020) and we were lucky over the years,” he said.

“Hopefully we will come out on top again, but Clonguish are an up and coming team and they have beaten some experienced sides at this level in Mullinalaghta and Dromard.”

Longford GAA: Major excitement in the build up to the county finals

Senior, Intermediate and Junior finals this weekend

In the countdown to the county finals this weekend, major excitement is mounting in the build up to the Senior, Intermediate and Junior 'A' football championship finals.

Farrelly is a club figurehead who epitomises what the 13 time senior championship winners are all about.

Modesty mixed in with an underlying ingrained desire to succeed is what has propelled a Killoe side Farrelly has skippered to the cusp of further glory.

“It’s great to be back in a final and there is a big buzz about the place,” he said.

“We are just concentrating on ourselves and putting in a performance to come out on top against a very strong team in Clonguish.”

Farrelly is the oldest of four brothers who will grace the hallowed Glennon Brothers Pearse Park turf on Sunday afternoon as he wears the Killoe colours with Niall, Evan and Gavin.

By his own admission, his father Turlough, a polished footballer in his day with Cavan GAA club side Kildallen, has been the subject of plenty of tomfoolery in the lead up to the big match.

“Dad does get a bit of slagging about it with things like: ‘Sure you’ve nearly enough children there to make up the entire team’.”

Longford SFC Final: Clonguish are rapidly rising but Killoe look to have the edge

Peter Hanley Motors Senior Football Championship Final on Sunday, throw-in 4pm

While the rapid rise of Clonguish is unquestionably the main talking point in a new twist for the honour of capturing the coveted Connolly Cup, their talented young team are now facing the toughest test in the title showdown against the favourites Killoe Emmet Og at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park this Sunday, throw-in 4pm.

Joking aside, Farrelly takes little cajoling when asked to sum up the impact made by manager Luke Dempsey since formally taking over the reins from predecessor Tommy Donohoe.

“He has brought a great level of experience and buzz to the place along with fellow mentors Busty Coy, Sean Maguire and Brendan Conway,” said Farrelly.

“Luke has brought a lot of young players through and brought a great attitude to the place so that every player has their shoulder to the wheel, pushing the team on.”

On Sunday, Farrelly and the Killoe team will be hoping that same deep-seated determination will prove the difference in re-establishing their position as the best team in the county.

Will Ballymore get the better of Killoe in the Longford Junior final?

Junior ‘A’ Football Championship Final

After suffering the bitter disappointment of defeat in the last two finals, Ballymore will be hoping for a case of third time lucky when they take on the Killoe second string in the 2023 Junior Football Championship title decider at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday next, throw-in 1.45pm.