Can Mostrim spring a surprise against Kildare champions Milltown?

James Connell on the ball for Mostrim in evading the challenge of Sean Connolly’s opponent Alan Gregg. Action from the recent Intermediate Football Championship final Photo: Syl Healy | Syl Healy

placeholder image — James Connell on the ball for Mostrim in evading the challenge of Sean Connolly’s opponent Alan Gregg. Action from the recent Intermediate Football Championship final Photo: Syl Healy | Syl Healy

AIB Leinster Club Intermediate Football Championship Round 1

For the first since 1992 when they lost to Duffry Rovers (Wexford) on a 1-10 to 1-5 scoreline in the senior club championship, Mostrim are back in Leinster action.

Providing the opposition in the opening round of the provincial Intermediate competition at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday (throw-in 1.30pm) will be Kildare opponents Milltown who had a single point to spare over Suncroft in the pulsating county final replay.

Milltown, a small club situated close to Newbridge, were winning the Intermediate title for the first time in 54 years and Kildare teams are generally strong in the Tier 2 championship.

The MIlltown driving force is powerful midfielder Joe Dunne and while they are the firm favourites to advance a stage further in Leinster, the underdogs Mostrim will be quietly confident of springing a surprise.

With 40-year-old Shane Kiernan a key figure at centre-half-back and the captain Jack Belton capable of making a big impact at centrefield, getting a good supply of the ball into the sharp attack is a priority for Niall Sheridan’s side.

Ronan Courtney, Padraic Joyce, Tiarnan Hussey and Liam Greene could pose plenty of problems for the Milltown defence and Mostrim will endeavour to give it their best shot in the hope of causing a significant upset.