From the outset, Sarsfields will be many peoples favourites to claim Intermediate Championship glory this year.
They were recently crowned Division 2B league winners and will hope they can carry that form into the championship.
Barry Hughes’ men have yet to taste defeat in 2021, and won 12 of their 14 league games on their way to the title.
Sarsfields attacking quality
Their forward line is probably the best in the division and most defences will struggle to curtaill them.
Michael Stevenson and Kevin McAlinden are tricky operaters while Paul McGeown is a handful on the edge of the square.
Eamon McGeown lines out at midfield, but can drift in to create a Twin Towers option with his younger brother.
Captain Niall Kerr commands the centre half back position while the McAlindens, Shane, Sean and James are tidy defenders.
Clonmore’s key men
Can Clonmore halt the Sarsfields attack? That’s going to be the big question that Joseph O’Kane’s side will have to answer.
They of course have Brendan Donaghy in their ranks, and the Armagh great can play a number of different positions.
He’s likely to start around the middle but can be of good use at either end of the field.
Sean Quigley and James Grimley offer good attacking threats from deep. Clonmore are likely to get bodies back and play on the counter.
The Robert Emmets club gave Clan na Gael their fill of long periods of last years quarter final and that will perhaps give them confidence.
It’s difficult to see anything other than a Sarsfields win and it should set the High Moss men up well for a tilt at the title.
