By Shaun Casey

TO win the championship, Clann Éireann are going to have to beat their fiercest foes Clan na Gael but leaving the rivalry to one side and concentrating on the game will be their main focus according to captain Conor McConville.

McConville was a member of Clann Éireann’s championship winning team in 2021 and Sunday’s all-Lurgan showpiece will be their first time back in the final since then, while Clan na Gael are back in their second consecutive decider.

Clann Éireann had to battle past reigning champions Crossmaglen in the semi-final and emerged victorious with four points to spare. Attention has swiftly turned towards the final and getting their hands back on the Gerry Fagan Cup.

“I’m obviously working in the local school so it’s all the talk,” said McConville, looking forward to the derby date.

“I think it’s important that you embrace it, if you try to ignore it it’ll just be too noisy, so we’re delighted to be there.

“Clan na Gael are fully deserving of their place as well so we’re going to be ready for Sunday.

“The all-Lurgan thing brings it’s own noise but at the end of the day it’s just another game.

“We haven’t really had much experience of playing Clan na Gael. In my whole senior career, we’ve only played them once so it’s just another game. They have a few weaknesses, not many, but we’ll have to try and target them and that’s all we’re going to focus on.”

That one and only recent meeting with the Clans came in last year’s semi-final when Stefan Campbell inspired a Blues comeback and after extra-time, it was Clan na Gael who advanced to the final at the expense of Clann Éireann.

“It was the ‘Soupy’ show,” recalled McConville. “Obviously, we’ll watch the video from last year and take wee bits and pieces from it.

“Last year doesn’t really have much to do with this year. They’re the in-form team, they’re unbeaten in the championship and the only team to do that.

“They’ve definitely filled out over the winter, and they’ll take a lot of stopping.

“We’ll look at last year but it’s all about where they’re at this year and they’re flying to be honest.”

When Clann Éireann won the championship in 2021, it was predicted that they could dominate the club scene in the Orchard County, but things didn’t materialise as such.

They’re now back in the final and McConville is hoping that the experience of 2021 will count for something when they take the field on Sunday afternoon.

“Three years ago feels like a lifetime and there has been a lot of expectation placed on this side and it feels good to be back in a final.

“Those three years probably don’t count for much, Clans have reached back-to-back finals, and we know how difficult it is just to get back.

“The preparations are going well and three years ago will hopefully stand to us a wee bit but it’s all about what happens on Sunday.”