By TOMMY CALLAGHAN

Sunday morning.

It’s cold, wet and miserable.

Activity: lots of it.

Isn’t it amazing what winning a Championship can do.

Moorefield take on Leixlip in their first competitive outing since taking the Dermot Burke Cup to the top of the town.

Of even more significance is the fact it’s the last serious run out prior to taking on Dunshaughlin in the AIB Leinster Club Championship in Navan on Saturday - 2.30.

Leixlip side looks decidedly unfamiliar while the Moors are there in numbers.

Mickser Condon and his fellow selectors Kieran Murray and Paul Morrissey walk the line as Tango looks on anxiously.

Timmy Durney attempts to see who is playing, and even more significantly, who isn’t.

Leslie Hogan is back after injury and gets a run in his familiar number six shirt. The impressive Kenny Duane moves to the wing with another recent injury victim Jim Bob Murphy makes up the line.

A couple of familiar faces ‘resting’.

“It’s a warning exercise’’ we are told; a bit of a “wake up call’’ for a couple of lads who celebrated, shall we say, beyond the permitted limit.

Isn’t it amazing what winning a Championship can do.

From an early stage the result of this one was never in doubt. Moorefield in total control.

Bernard Behan gets an opportunity to prove his fitness; alas it doesn’t work out and before the break he had to succumb to the inevitable.

With Michael Ryan ruled out for Saturday - due to a long standing holiday plan abroad - Behan’s misfortune is a bit of a setback.

Still not to worry we are told, “Out strength is in our panel; we proved that throughout the championship; we’ll get by.’’

Mickser, who did not travel to Navan for the second replay between Dunshaughlin and Rathnew - I saw enough in the first two games - stalks the line. With his bookmen in tow; every score, every wide; every mistake; every good move is applauded and recorded.

Those togged on the line look on, anxiously awaiting the call. Despite the wind, the rain, the cold, the muck, all are anxious to get a bit of the action.

Isn’t it amazing what winning a Championship can do.

It has been a remarkable season for the boys in green. How many would have given them a chance of winning their first championship since 1962?

Martin Ryan at full back has had a marvellous season and even in this one-sided game is totally focussed and leading by example.

Ronan Sweeney and Sean Whyte are just glad to be back in action after being forced to sit on the bench in Clonmel on Sunday last.

Isn’t it amazing what winning a Championship can do.

What a season Roley has had. A Leinster medal and a county championship all in the one season. A player who has the potential and the talent to reach whatever GAA summit he wishes.

The two Patricks (Murray and Behan) have hardly played better; Cian O’Neill’s late arrival has added strength; McGrogan showed just what he is capable of against Kilcock while no one has soldiered better than Martin Murray.

When Mickser and his team sit down to select they will do so with caution. Hogan and Murphy in particular are pushing for places along with a few others. In all five that started the county final did not start on Sunday - it’s a great position to be in.

Isn’t it amazing what winning a Championship can do.

The crowd disperse to warmer climates; a hot toddy or two helps to get the blood circulating once again. All the talk is now focussed on Dunshaughlin and Rathnew.

McDonnells, Neesons or Eric’s - call it what you like - fills up quickly.

Football, football and more football.

Only last week Bertie called in to the Holy Grail in the company of a couple of very familiar faces. Val Brennan (of Towers fame) was in the advanced party as was Commissioner Pat Black - the Sarsfields Dubliner from Mount Carmel . . . in McDonnells.

Isn’t it amazing what winning a Championship can do.

Timmy Durney, Alex Whelan, Chairman Tom were all on hand to welcome the Taoiseach. No sign of Eric. No doubt looking after the day job.

Bisto Connolly the ’62 mascot was spotted along with Paul Lucas, John Cummins and Lauri Murray; ‘Sprig’ Murphy and Peadar Brennan were also in situ . . . with outstretched hands for Bertie.

Can Moorefield reproduce the devastating form that annihilated Kilcock in the county final?

Will Dunshaughlin be still feeling the effects of a three game battle with Rathnew?

All will be revealed at 2.30 in Navan on Saturday.

Not to be missed . . . and the best of luck.

Recently crowned Kildare Senior Football Champions Moorefield step out for the first time in the Leinster Senior Football Championship. They play Meath Champions Dunshaughlin at Navan on Saturday in a game commencing at 2-30.p.m. Moorefield in the opening round of the Kildare championship played St Laurences at the County Grounds.

The Newbridge team at one stage held a ten point advantage and were looking easy winners until St Laurences staged a remarkable comeback that resulted in a draw at the end of normal time.

One period of extra time was played and the teams were still on level terms. In the replay at Geraldine Park the teams' server up another top class contest which was very close throughout until the closing minutes as Moorefield secured victory with some top class scores.

The next outing was against neighbours Sarsfields. This game had all the making of a thriller and it certainly lived up to pre match expectations with each team enjoying periods of dominance. At the end of a very sporting game Moorefield won the day and were through to the semi finals. Round Towers stood between Moorefield and a County final place. Despite not playing to their full potential Moorefield recorded victory.

Kilcock were opponents having defeated one of the favourites Clane in the second semi final. Weather conditions were poor as Moorefield had first use of the wind. Moorefield commenced the game in top gear with some early scores. They dominated the game from the outset and were always in control. Kilcock made great efforts to save the game in the second half but there was no denying Moorefield of a famous championship victory. They now play the Meath Champions who have had three outings in the Leinster Club series against Wicklow holders Rathnew.

Dunshaughlin played against the wind and rain in the opening half and managed to stay in contention at the interval as they trailed by just one point on a scoreline of 1-5 to1-4. Dunshaughlin dominated the second half and emerged comfortable winners on a scoreline of 3-8 to 1-6.

Many of the Moorefield players have figures on successful Minor and U21 teams in recent years and have come through a very successful and well-organised underage and schools structure. Moorefield now carry the Counties hopes of outright victory in the Leinster club Championship and with such players as Seamus Dowling, Martin Ryan and Ronan Sweeney all having won Leinster Senior Medals in recent years they are capable of now playing a leading role in their clubs bid for further honours. All involved in Kildare G.A.A. wish the club further success.