Pearse Casey believes the tough test St Patrick’s faced, and ultimately overcame, against Pearse Og will stand to them.
The Ogs offered the Cullyhanna’s first real test, which they passed with a five-point win to reach the decider.
One-sided victories over Belleek, Middletown and Tullysaran saw them top the group with ease. They also breezed past Derrynoose in the quarter-final.
“Pearse Og came down with us from senior to intermediate in the same year so they’re very close in comparison to us,” said Casey.
“It was a big test. It was a massive upgrade to what we played so hopefully that’ll stand to us in the final.
“They did test us, and they did pick holes in certain areas. That’s something that we’ll have to tighten up on.
“There’s was stuff going about maybe that we weren’t tested but that was a big test. Ultimately you can only play what’s in front of you at certain stages in the campaign.
“But Pearse Og were a senior team last year and they had some very experienced players, very good players. Hopefully we can learn and take out what we can from the game.”
Casey, who played in the SFC finals of 2013 and 2016 which Cullyhanna lost to Crossmaglen and Maghery respectively, is the club captain this season.
“We’re looking forward to it, it’s a big two weeks for the club, in particular the players,” said the midfielder.
“We’ve been on the road this last twelve months and this is the ultimate aim, the ultimate stage so we’re really looking forward to it.
“Being captain is the cherry on top. It’s always nice to represent the club as captain. It’s a great honour and hopefully I can spearhead the fellas in the right direction and hopefully I’ve been doing that over the past year.”
