Caragh's great run can continue as they approach Leinster semi-final

The Kildare Intermediate champions will face St Mogue's of Fethard Co. Wexford

And then there were four.

The AIB Leinster Club Intermediate Football championship is down to the semi-final stages with Kildare champions, Caragh, facing up to St Mogue's of Fethard Co. Wexford.

The other semi-final sees St Mearnog of Dublin taking on Garycastle of Westmeath.

The Wexford side have already accounted for Emmet Carn An Bhua on a score line of 2-13 to 2-4, in their only game and now travel to Manguard Park, Hawkfield, on Saturday where they will tackle Michael Browne's Caragh. Kildare, of course, will be hoping to make it another side from the Shortgrass to the final following in the footsteps of Allenwood's brilliant successful run just 12 months ago.

Before that Two Mile House were successful back in 2018 while Monasterevan went all the way in 2012, so lots of success for Kildare clubs in this Leinster intermediate club competition.

So what about Caragh?

Well it is the stuff dreams are made of for manager Michael Browne, in this his first time to manage a club side. He was, of course, involved in many backroom teams with his native Sarsfields after retiring, following a very successful playing career.
Michael certainly has brought on this, relatively young Caragh side big time.

They have suffered injuries along the way, particularly to midfielder Dan Lynam (hamstring problems) while Eoghan O'Haire injured after just seven minutes in the county final against Leixlip was another major set-back.

However they have still managed, not just to win the county title but now to be a mere sixty minutes away from making it to a provincial final and what an achievement that would be.

Caragh have a sound and tight defensive structure with Matthew McNally, a full back who likes to get forward and who has found the posts on more than one occasion this year.

Cathal McKennedy has enjoyed a great season at no. 2 while Ryan Burke at centre-back is playing to the top of his game after been drafted into the county senior side last year.

Captain Kevin Connor is a 6'6'' strapping midfielder, who joins him in the middle will be decided only when it will be decided if Dan Lynam is fit to line out.

Up front the boys in maroon have, on their day a few top class attackers.

Jake Corrigan has a great eye for goal, he scored 2-3 against Dicksboro in the last game; Darragh Swords has been a constant scorer throughout this entire season while Dan Campbell found the net on the double against the Kilkenny champions two weeks ago.

Josh Gannon is an excellent young player while Ronan Doorey has been prominent throughout this journey of 2024.
Michael Browne insisted all along this season that he, and Caragh, are taking it one game at a time, not looking beyond their next opponents and it has to be said they have grown and grown as this season unfolds.

They have a really strong defence; a decent midfield and up front, if they can click into top gear can make it through to a provincial decider and after that, well as Michael Browne insists, just one game at time; just the next opponents and in fairness that approach has certainly stood to Michael Browne and Maor Foirne Tommy Swords to date. Throw-in at Hawkfield on Saturday is 1.30.