How Killeavy and Crossmaglen sort out their match ups on Sunday afternoon could be crucial for both sides.
Chris Crowley v Fergal Boylan
Fergal Boylan has been lighting up the entire club championship and is the go-to player in the Killeavy attack, for good reason too. He has top scored for them and no one has scored more goals in the competition than Boylan.
In the two knockout games they’ve played, he has racked up 3-9 and from a Crossmaglen point of view, he needs stopped. Chris Crowley is their trusted man-marker at the back so he’ll be handed the job.
The Kerry native, who has played inter-county football for Carlow, missed the Culloville game throughout illness. He returned for the semi-final and started on Dan McCarthy before being switched to Conor Turbitt.
Conor O’Neill v Rian O’Neill
Rian O’Neill got his suspension from the semi-final overturned and is available for selection on Sunday. That provides Steven McDonnell and Killeavy with another headache in terms of their match ups.
It’ll likely either be Conor O’Neill or Gareth Murphy that’ll be handed the job. Conor O’Neill returned to championship action for the first time since 2023 and could be the one picked to go on Rian O’Neill.
He man-marked Diarmuid O’Rourke in the semi-final and has played that role at county level as well. Rian O’Neill can play as one of the three up or further out the field, so Conor O’Neill will just track him wherever he goes.
Cathair McKinney v Oisin O’Neill
McKinney slotted into full back for the semi-final against Dromintee to pick up Cathal McKenna. He’ll likely play a similar role this weekend and be the one selected to pick up Oisin O’Neill.
Physically, McKinney should be a match for him and could follow him further out the field if necessary. However, going on the evidence of the recent championship encounters, O’Neill looks set to remain at full forward.
He has been absolutely lethal in the championship. In just the last two games alone, the 2024 All-Ireland winner has clocked up 2-20 by himself. So, plain and simple, if Killeavy are to have a chance, they need to stop him.