Ulster Club IFC final
Arva v Ballinderry
Saturday, O’Neill’s Healy Park, 5pm

By Michael McMullan

BALLINDERRY will need to do what nobody has been able to do in 23 championship games if they are to land the Ulster title on Saturday. They have to beat Arva.

The Shamrocks are up against the Cavan side who haven’t been beaten since Drumlane edged them in the 2022 Cavan Junior final when Ryan Connolly’s 65th minute free.

Their run took them to the Ulster and All-Ireland Junior titles last season.

With minutes to go in their recent semi-final, Magheracloone looked to have ended that unbeaten run until goals from Tristan Noack Hoffman and Barry Donnelly pulled victory from the jaws of defeat.

For their part, Ballinderry have tasted drama on their way to Omagh this weekend.

An unbeaten run in Derry was severely tested by an impressive Faughanvale over two excellent finals before Ballinderry pulled through.

They had to play for part of the replay without Gareth McKinless but Ryan Bell and Niall O’Donnell stepped up to the plate.

McKinless missed the win over Carrickcruppen with Bell harshly sent off but an O’Donnell goal was the key score before they found a way to push on.

A temporary reprieve from the DRA released McKinless for the win over Derrylaughan. He has since been fully cleared and will be available for selection.

After being relegated from the Senior Championship last season, former All-Ireland club winning defender Jarlath Bell took over as manager.

Game by game, they built up momentum and they controlled their semi-final win over Derrylaughan until they were hit by a late goal before Shea McCann responded with the winning point.

With Conor O’Neill coming off the bench, it was the first time Ballinderry had a full hand to pick from and with McKinless cleared, they have a week to clear their heads and prepare for Arva.

A central part of the Shamrocks’ plan is how they use goalkeeper Ben McKinless as the extra player to create an overlap.

It put them in the box seat against Derrylaughan but it was costly late in the game when they coughed up possession with Brian Kennedy’s long ball creating Ciaran Gervin’s goal.

It’s the Arva front eight that could make the Shamrocks think about pressing as many players forward.

Thomas Partington and Jonathan McCabe on the wings have size either side of playmaker Barry Donnelly.

At midfield, Ciaran Brady and Tristan Noack Hoffman are an imposing duo.

An option could see Darren Lawn start, with Gareth McKinless joining Niall O’Donnell at midfield.

TOUCH TIGHT…Aron Mullan in action for Ballinderry in their semi-final win over Derrylaughan. Photo: Michael Cullen

James Morris missed Arva’s win over Magheracloone and he could well be tested with Ballinderry using Ryan Bell on the edge of the square.

When Drumgath dropped off in the quarter-final, it allowed Danny Ellis to control much of Arva’s link play from defence. Ballinderry will have Tiarnan Rocks to occupy him.

With Peter Morris, Kevin Bouchier and Conal Sheridan all scoring options inside for Arva, midfield control will be crucial.

Aron Mullan, Ryan O’Neill and Ruairi Forbes are avenues for Ballinderry to get forward. It’s their linkage with Ben McKinless that has been crucial.

Oisin Duffin is the likely marker for Bouchier who lays off a lot of ball for the Arva runners.

On paper, Arva have a balance Ballinderry haven’t met yet. The Cavan men will be hoping they call pull markers from their comfort zone.

That central channel for Bouchier is what they like to bring into play. Just ask Magheracloone. When they got the run in those final minutes, Barry Donnelly’s runs were the winning of the game.

The challenge for Ballinderry will be upping their scoring rate. Against Carrickcruppen, they created enough chances that should’ve left them more comfortable.

Gareth McKinless and Ruairi Forbes will need to chip in with a point or two each.

Ryan Bell, Niall O’Donnell and Shea McCann have been to the fore in the key moments.

Bell’s two points turned their semi-final with McCann then winning it after Derrylaughan’s goal against the run of play.

Arva will know what they have under the hood. A run of games and consistency will bring confidence.

It will be buoyed by the lift of pulling their semi-final win out of the fire. There is always something special generated from a comeback.

For Ballinderry, their focus will be playing the game on their own terms.

If they can have Arva worrying about Gareth McKinless, Ruairi Forbes and Niall O’Donnell’s combined offering on the run, it will give them the footing to launch a title bid.

Arva go in as favourites but Jarlath Bell will hope it can bring the best out of his side. Ballinderry now have their full deck. It’s all about how they play it.