Greater momentum with St Vincent’s in intriguing Dublin football final replay

St Vincent's v Ballymun Kickhams, Parnell Park, 7.45pm

Such was the madly swinging momentum in Parnell Park last Sunday that a prediction here seems mostly futile.

Certainly both teams will firmly believe they can win this title at the second attempt, as long as they keep working for it. But which team carries the greater momentum from last Sunday?

St Vincent’s certainly finished with it, Diarmuid Connolly exquisitely executing the 40-metre free which drew them level with the defending champions, having fought from behind in both normal and extra-time.

What is less certain too is how much Ballymun Kickhams are suffering from fatigue. The beaten All-Ireland club finalists from last March have already enjoyed a long road to get back to the final, and that clearly took some physical toll. Dean Rock (knee), James Burke (hamstring), Kevin Leahy (ankle) and Karl Connolly (cramp) all struggled to go the distance at the weekend, although the hope is all four are okay to play some part in the replay.

Ballymun’s mental state mightn’t be as strong either, given the fact they twice saw their commanding position disintegrate, perhaps most gallingly in normal time when they surrendered a five-point lead with just a minute of normal time remaining.

Kevin Golden’s late goal will certainly haunt them, as will the prospect of another attacking onslaught from the likes of Connolly, Tomás Quinn, and the very exciting youngster Gavin Burke.

So, all that really is certain is that whoever emerges have just four days to prepare for the Leinster quarter-final meeting with Westmeath champions St Loman’s, assuming a second replay here is not required, and that can’t be certain either.