Cuala’s Fitzsimons could be key to Errigal Ciaran contest

Although the All-Ireland Club Football Final match between Errigal Ciaran and Cuala is portrayed as a shootout between Con O’Callaghan and the Canavan brothers on Sunday (15:40 GMT), there are some details that need more detail.

Among them is Mick Fitzsimons, Cuala’s supreme man, who is likely to be given the task of attempting to defeat Darragh Canavan.

With nine Celtic Crosses, Fitzsimons, James McCarthy, and Stephen Cluxton, two other Dublin legends, are on record for inter-county All-Ireland victories.

His defense masterclass, which included his battle with whomever Canavan might be the key factor in Sunday’s clash at Croke Park, saw him stop Kerry’s star forward David Clifford in the 2023 All-Ireland Final.

Unquestionably, it’s certain that Cuala will take much more precautions than Dr. Crokes did last weekend when the Kerrymen chose not to use a sweeper in his attempt to shackle Darragh and Ruairi Canavan.

Con O’Callaghan’s younger brother Niall, who had a stellar campaign that included scoring 1-5 in the Leinster Final victory over Naas, is another player who could harm the Ballygawley men.

Joe Oguz and partner Ben McDonnell did not have it all their own way in the centrefield exchanges during regular time, but the Errigal Ciaran midfielder did well in extra-time a week ago to score the decisive goal.

Peadar O Cofaigh-Byrne and Peter Duffy are Cuala’s midfield pairing, and the competition’s engine room battle might be significant.

Peter Harte, a legendary player from Tyrone football over the past 15 years, and Aidan McCrory, a legendary veteran, are now involved in an All-Ireland Club Final, which he must have questioned would ever occur.

However, it has as Errigal Ciaran gets ready for the All-Ireland Senior Club Final, which will be the first time a Tyrone club has played.

Cuala also have their first football championship match win, having defeated O’Callaghan in both 2017 and 2018 to claim the side’s first hurling crown.

Another Dublin outfit, Na Fianna, will be involved in Sunday’s preceding hurling decider when they face Sarsfields.

After suffering a painful one-point defeat by the Cork men last month, which was their fifth semi-final defeat, the game is likely to make Ulster champions Slaughtneil painful to watch.