The Intermediate B final throws up an encounter between two teams that have already met in the Group stages – a match where Red Hughs took the honours against Cloughaneely on a 1-9 to 1-6 scoreline. Like Letterkenny Gaels in the Junior finals, Cloich Cheann Fhaola will be looking to complete a double. After their defeat to Red Hughs, their only group game as opposition did not travel in the other two, they regrouped well proving their metal against Naomh Columba in the quarterfinal. Trailing by four points at the break, Cloich Cheann Fhaola fought their way back in the second period to record a 2-12 to 1-11 win before going on to defeat Naomh Naille by 1-7 to 0-7 in the semi-final.
Red Hughs, who competed unsuccessfully in the Junior B final last year losing in a replay, have been very impressive in their step-up to Intermediate standard. As well as defeating Cloughaneely in the Group stage they recorded a 0-13 to 0-5 win in Páirc Naomh Bríd and a 2-5 to 1-17 win against Naomh Ultan in Dunkineely. In their quarterfinal they put Naomh Bríd to the sword for the second time winning 1-11 to 0-5 and had five points to spare over Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon in their semi-final.
Without home advantage Red Hughs may find Cloughaneely a tougher nut to crack second time around and a close match is likely in prospect. Referee on the day will be Dermot McColgan, a man who will be well fit to keep up with proceedings after bagging a second All-Ireland medal with the Masters team last month – Dermot also has a Vocational Schools’ medal which he won with Donegal back in the the mid-1990s.
