Kiernans Service Stations Senior Championship quarter-final: Cavan Gaels v Gowna (tonight, Kingspan Breffni, 8pm)
CAVAN’S ‘up-and-coming’ club Gowna face their biggest test of the year tonight at Kingspan Breffni when they take on Cavan Gaels in the first of the SFC quarter-finals.
The Longford-border side were the surprise package of last year’s championship and rattled Ramor United before going under in the county final but they will face the table toppers as clear underdogs.
Fintan Reilly’s charges have laboured in this year’s campaign to mirror the potential they showed in reaching the decider in 2021. But thanks, in the main, to other results in round four going their way, Gowna managed to nick a quarter-final place by finishing in eight in the table.
With just a single win (and a draw) to their name from the four qualifying rounds, Gowna will go into the lion’s den tonight in patchy form against a Gaels side boasting maximum points – incorporating a 1-20 to 0-4 win over Mullahoran - from their four outings to date.
The county town side has been touted as a one-man team though by dint of the exceptional form this season of county star Gearóid McKiernan.
McKiernan has been on fire in recent months and grabbed national headlines last July by notching 3-14 against Crosserlough (eventual winners) in the SFL Division One final.
Tonight, McKiernan’s team-mates – which include county colleague Niall Murray and former talisman Seanie Johnston – have the chance to knock the ‘one trick pony’ claim on its head.
Still, the big question tonight revolves around Gowna’s capacity to limit McKiernan’s influence. The smart money is on county ace Conor Brady being charged with going man-to-man on McKiernan.
The county town side is rated as second favourites (behind reigning champions Ramor Utd) to make it to the summit and Gowna will have to really turn around their recent form to prevent the Gaels taking a significant step towards achieving their goal.
Gowna’s attacking forces are regarded as arguably the best in the county but Oisin Pierson’s ongoing injury woes means the countyman has been unable to show his true worth to date but with quality back-up in the form of Cian Madden, Conor Madden and Robbie Fitzpatrick, Gowna have the firepower to amass a winning tally.
The Gaels are regarded as the most improved team this year so tonight’s tie will tell a tale in so many regards. It might not be until extra-time is complete though before that tale reveals itself.
