Fitzgerald is well aware of the Nemo Rangers’ threat
Having grown up watching Nemo Rangers win All-Ireland club football titles for fun, Corofin defender Kieran Fitzgerald says he is acutely aware of the threat “one of the superpowers” of the club game pose to the Galway champions’ ambitions at Croke Park this Saturday.
Consequently, the former Galway captain and All-Star is not surprised to see them featuring at this stage of the competition and he notes it is not lost on him that Cork outfit has already defeated both of last year’s finalists – 2017 winners Dr Crokes and Derry’s Slaughtneil – on the way to the St. Patrick’s Day decider.
“So, it would make you more alert, definitely, especially given the way Dr Crokes disposed of us last year [in the All-Ireland semi-final]. It is a year ago now but they really put us to the sword early and we weren’t at the races with them at all.
“What Nemo did to Dr Crokes [in the Munster final], I suppose a lot of people didn’t expect that to happen. But Nemo are a big club, they are a traditional team and they are a bit like Kerry in that they don’t lose too many finals. Definitely, when they knocked out Dr Crokes, they have to be some team.”
That said, so too are Corofin. Just one of nine clubs to win two or more All-Ireland club titles – and the only one West of the Shannon to do so – Corofin also come with a big reputation. Fitzgerald agrees but, again, he stresses they are meeting the club which leads the All-Ireland club football roll of honour with an impressive seven titles.
“I suppose, growing up, watching Nemo, they were one of the superpowers,” says Galway’s 2001 All-Ireland senior medal winner. “They were always there, a bit like Vincent's. So, they are one of the big teams and it is a great opportunity to play them in the final.
“However, we have to be realistic. They are not going to be too fazed by this. They have plenty of people in the background who have been there and done that. Again, though, it is a great opportunity for a club like Corofin to go to Croke Park and play a team like Nemo and we just hope we can do the parish proud and do ourselves justice on the day. We have worked hard for it and hopefully we can leave it on the field.”
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.