The stage is set for what promises to be a captivating willwego.com Cusack Cup Division 1 Final on Sunday afternoon as St Joseph's Miltown and Lissycasey renew acquaintances in Shanahan McNamara Park, Doonbeg (1.00pm) and LIVE on Clare Gaa TV .
Both sides have enjoyed impressive campaigns despite being without several players for periods due to county commitments, and there is little to separate two clubs that will be amongst many pundit’s best contenders to wrestle back the Jack Daly from Éire Óg in the upcoming championship.
Lissycasey have arguably been the competition's most consistent team. David Considine's side topped the league table with five victories from their seven outings, their only dropped points coming in a draw with Ennistymon and a defeat to St Breckan's. They also claimed a three-point victory over Sunday's opponents during the group stages, a result that will undoubtedly give them confidence heading into the decider.
However, St Joseph's Miltown arrive with a welcome upturn in form. Defeats to Breckans, Kilrush Shamrocks and Sunday’s opponents placed them third in the league standings before producing one of the performances of the season in their semi-final dismantling St Breckan's by an emphatic 18-point margin. It was a display that underlined their attacking firepower with a spread of seven different scorers.
Lissycasey are chasing a third ever Cusack Cup title and have been one of the county's rising forces in recent years. Sunday's final presents another opportunity to convert that promise into silverware. Their squad has been boosted by the emergence of several exciting young talents, with Michael Kelly, Dáire Culligan, Diarmuid McMahon and Conor Hill all impressing as part of the Clare Under-20 side that enjoyed a highly competitive Munster Championship campaign earlier this year.
Miltown, meanwhile, are in pursuit of a ninth Division 1 league crown. Experience remains one of their greatest strengths, with the evergreen Gordon Kelly and Seanie Malone continuing to anchor the defence, while further forward the attacking trio of Darragh McDonagh, Cormac Murray and Eoin Cleary will provide a constant scoring threat.
Their semi-final victory showcased the depth of their attack as they amassed 3-19 in a dominant display from start to finish.
With both teams blending a mix of experienced leaders and exciting young talent, Sunday's final has all the ingredients of a memorable contest. Lissycasey will be eager to repeat their earlier victory over Miltown, while the West Clare outfit will be determined to complete an impressive turnaround and lift the Cusack Cup.
Corofin's Eoin Keane takes charge of the final, with throw-in at Shanahan McNamara Park, Doonbeg, at 1.00pm on Sunday.
