Na Fianna vs Kilcormac-Killoughey Preview
Na Fianna faces Kilcormac-Killoughey in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Final. It’s a massive opportunity for both sides to achieve glory. Dublin’s champions will face Offaly’s top side in the showpiece event as they feature for the second time in their history.
This will be an interesting game between two extremely motivated sides. Na Fianna enters this hurling final as favourites. However, the Offaly team has a stronger pedigree in this competition. The 2012 champions hope to secure the title for the second time.
Na Fianna vs Kilcormac-Killoughey Key Stats and Head-to-Head
This is a massive game between two of the nation’s top hurling teams right now. Na Fianna is traditionally a football powerhouse with five titles. However, they’ve achieved back-to-back hurling crowns in Dublin now. This is their second Leinster final after they suffered a heartbreaking one-point defeat to O’Loughlin Gaels last year.
Niall Ó Ceallacháin knows that every game could be his last match with his club. The new Dublin boss is determined to take Na Fianna as far as possible in his last campaign with the Glasnevin side. They have a tough test against Kilcormac-Killoughey. The six-time Offaly champions defeated Oulart-the Ballagh in 2012 to claim provincial glory.
The Offaly outfit overcame a tough test against Castletown-Geoghegan in the semifinal last weekend. They scored the winning goal in stoppage time in Mullingar to seal a 1-13 to 2-13 win. The plucky Westmeath side shocked Thomastown in the quarterfinal and almost caused another upset. But Kilcormac stayed calm with Adam Screeney’s goal ended an absorbing contest.
Samba hurling from Na Fianna. pic.twitter.com/4HDmHfREIV
— Will O’Callaghan (@willocallaghan) November 24, 2024
Na Fianna secured their sport in the final after a big win over St Martins. The Wexford side didn’t roll over as they lost 1-16 to 0-15. Sean Ryan’s 54th-minute goal was a monumental moment in this game as it gave St Martins too much to do. It was fascinating to see Na Fianna explode into life later in the game. They also defended resolutely and kept Wexford star Rory O’Connor quiet.
Both sides have elite players with Screeney proving his credentials against Castletown. Goalkeeper Conor Slevin is making his second Leinster Final appearance after losing against Thomastown in 2013. Colin Currie is Na Fianna’s key man. He scored nine points against St Martins with eight from frees. They’ll hope to involve Donal Burke and AJ Murphy more in this game.
Na Fianna vs Kilcormac-Killoughey Predictions
Predicted Score: Na Fianna 2-14 – 1-12 Kilcormac-Killoughey
Na Fianna will enter this hurling game as favourites. They’ve faced some adversity this season, including extra-time victories in the Dublin Championship. Their victory over St Martins was a slog, but they fought hard. They have the quality and the grit to beat most of the teams in Leinster.
Our hurling prediction is that Na Fianna will win this game. They’re an elite team and playing in Croke Park won’t overwhelm them. Na Fianna has some of the best hurlers in the country and incredible training facilities. Their physical conditioning gives them a power and endurance advantage over most opponents.
Some Dublin fans may feel this is unfair. However, the stats show that Na Fianna is finishing games stronger than the opposition. This is something that Kilcormac-Killoughey must be aware of before this game. This is also a relatively inexperienced Kilcormac side with plenty of youth, so this final may be a year too early.
Colin Currie’s free-taking will be massive in this showpiece event. He is a prolific scorer and rarely wastes chances. Shane Hand’s side must avoid giving him chances because he will make them pay. Jonathan Tracey also offers a long-range free-taking threat for Na Fianna. The goalkeeper has been solid between the sticks in this campaign.
That man again! Adam Screeney popped up with a badly needed goal as Kilcormac Killoughey booked their place in the Leinster decider.
Can the Offaly men go all the way now?#LeinsterClub24 | @KK_GAA pic.twitter.com/KdO3YqUm5e
— Leinster GAA (@gaaleinster) November 24, 2024
Another issue for Kilcormac is the potential absence of star centre-back Cillian Kiely. His broken thumb may rule him out of the game against Na Fianna. They need their best and most experienced players available if they want to upset the odds. They’re capable of it, but it’s going to be a massive challenge.
Much of Kilcormac’s hopes rest on Adam Screeney’s shoulders. The forward put 1-8 past Castletown-Geoghegan and will be the focal point of their attack again. It will be up to the likes of Na Fianna’s Paul O’Dea to keep him quiet and reduce his threat.
Don’t forget to check out the live betting odds during this Leinster Final as one early goal could change everything. Na Fianna is the favourite, but Kilcormac-Killoughey has the motivation and the players to cause a shock. One GAA black card or early goal could shift the balance of this exciting match-up.
Na Fianna vs Kilcormac-Killoughey Betting Tips
Na Fianna is the rightful favourite ahead of this game in our online sportsbook. The back-to-back Dublin champions are in their second consecutive Leinster final. Last season’s shattering defeat is still in their minds, but it’s fuelling them to win this game. They also have too many advantages to lose against the Offaly champions.
It’s currently 4/7 for Na Fianna to defeat Kilcormac-Killoughey and claim their first-ever Leinster Championship. This is a tempting bet because €10 would make a €5.71 profit. We think betting on Na Fianna makes sense because they have a stronger panel and more experience.
Niall Ó Ceallacháin is desperate to sign off with a statement before taking up county duties. We think this will leave Kilcormac with too much of an uphill task. That’s why the Offaly side is a 7/4 underdog. This time, a €10 stake would see returns of €27.50 if they upset the odds. It’s not impossible because they’re a good side and will leave everything on the field.
Check out the other hurling markets in this final. One option is applying a handicap wager to one of the teams. However, given the relative closeness of the odds, we favour an outright bet for this match. There are plenty of scoring options too. An over-under bet on the total number of goals or red cards would make sense.
We think Colin Currie will be the game’s top scorer. He’s an exceptional free-taker and will see plenty of opportunities. Meanwhile, AJ Murphy and Adam Screeney are the game’s most likely goalscorers. They’ll hope to hit the back of their net for their clubs and become legends forever.
Players can also select the first and second-half winners. We think Na Fianna will have the advantage in both. Kilcormac will keep it close until the last 20 minutes. That’s when Na Fianna will offer their biggest goal threat. This will be a pulsating encounter until the very end.
Amazing team goal from Na Fianna that all but secured victory in their Semi Final today.
The Dublin side now look ahead to their second Leinster Final appearance in succession next Saturday #LeinsterClub24 | @clgNaFianna pic.twitter.com/WRbVLPyde4
— Leinster GAA (@gaaleinster) November 24, 2024
Finally, it’s 15/2 for this game to finish as a draw. We think this is unlikely but not impossible. There have been some big shocks in the club hurling and football championships this season. A €10 stake could see a massive €75 profit.
You could also look beyond this game and bet on the All-Ireland club hurling champion. Na Fianna is becoming one of the top hurling sides in the nation. There are other big hurling games across the country if you want to create an accumulator. Ballygunner plays Sarsfields in the Munster Championship while Carey Faughs faces Swatragh in Ulster.
Na Fianna Team News and Predicted Lineup
Niall Ó Ceallacháin has a full-strength panel to choose from ahead of this Leinster final. He won’t leave anything to chance and will probably start on the same side that defeated St Martins. However, expect him to use his bench extensively in the last 30 minutes. This was a tactic against the Wexford team and Clough-Ballacolla.
- Predicted Lineup: J Tracey, C McHugh, S Burke, P O’Dea, K Burke, L Rushe, P Feeney, B Ryan, S Currie, J Meagher, D Burke, C Stacey, C Currie, AJ Murphy, and G King.
Kilcormac-Killoughey Team News and Predicted Lineup
Shane Hand is sweating on Cillian Kiely’s fitness ahead of this final. Kiely is struggling with a broken thumb and may not be fit for this Leinster Final. Otherwise, they’ll go with the lineup that beat Westmeath champions Castletown-Geoghegan last weekend.
- Predicted Lineup: C Slevin, T Spain, O Mahon, J Mahon, J Quinn, E Grogan, B Kavanagh, C Spain, D Kilmartin, L Kavanagh, C Mahon, J Screeney, D Hand, C Mitchell, and A Screeney.
