Moorefield ready to answer more questions

Two Sundays ago Moorefield lined out to play Dromard in the quarter-final of the Leinster club football championship, a game Moorefield - as the reigning Leinster champions - were widely tipped to win.

Two Sundays later, having drawn twice and played two periods of extra time, they'll go at each other again, only this time it's less clear who is likely to win.

In extra time of the second replay, Moorefield found themselves three points down to Dromard, the unlikely challengers from Longford, but the Kildare champions dug deep and the sides ended level again, 0-12 apiece. It means Moorefield have been more or less on the go now for the last 18 months, not that manager Dessie Brennan is overly concerned.

"We can't be too worried," says Brennan, "because obviously both teams are starting from the same point on Sunday. But it has been a hard few weeks. Even with the fact that we ended up playing extra time in the first game, as well as the second. I don't know, maybe long-term one of us may pay a price, but right now we're just looking forward to Sunday, glad to be still in it. Obviously our first goal was to win back the Kildare title. But I think you always freshen up a little after that, when the Leinster championship opens up before you."

Brennan, at least, is still fresh, having taken over the Moorefield management position earlier this year from former Kildare county star Seamus Dowling, who stepped down shortly after their All-Ireland club semi-final defeat to Dr Crokes - after another replay - last February.

Brennan's roots were St Joseph's in Laois, but he now lives in Rathcoole, and for the last 10 years has worked with St Mary's in Saggart.

"They contacted me, some time after Sos Dowling stepped down," he said. "They'd been out of action for a month or so, weren't doing a lot, so in ways it was a fresh start. We got the bit of a break early on and it has worked out well.

"There is great spirit in the team. Last Sunday was one of those situations where you never know how you'll cope until you find yourself there. It did ask a lot of questions of this team, and I think they answered them quite well, that they weren't about to surrender their Leinster title without a real fight."

They're back on the home turf of Newbridge this Sunday, although Brennan doesn't see that as any great advantage: "Well that's normally true, but we really enjoyed our trip to Longford. Sometimes you can get too used to playing at home, and I think going away gave us a new incentive, and we became more aware of all the supporters following us."

Should they win on Sunday they'll face into a fourth successive weekend, with Westmeath side Tyrrellspass awaiting whoever progresses in the semi-final - and the Leinster final is scheduled for the following Sunday.

"I'm sure that will be an issue if it does arise," adds Brennan, "and that we'll be talking to the Leinster Council about it. But of course we're not looking beyond Sunday either. I just know a few players have holidays booked for a few days after the Leinster final, so clearly there won't be much room for manoeuvre."

Goalkeeper Shane Curran is doubtful for Sunday's Connacht club football final against Ballina. He is having treatment for a torn quad and a decision on his fitness will be made at the weekend.