The contrast between the two clubs couldn't be any greater, but Mullinalaghta selector Paddy Brady insists they won't fear the challenge posed by St Vincent's in the Leinster Club SFC semi-final.
The Marino club, All-Ireland champions in 2014, go in search of a seventh provincial crown and can call on a forward line boasting players of the calibre of Diarmuid Connolly, Enda Varley and Tomás Quinn for their clash with Mullinalaghta.
The Longford champions by contrast ended a 66-year wait for county success last month and their resources are incomparable.
The half-parish, on the Cavan border, has a population of around 450 people and a primary school with 39 children.
They have just 31 players to choose from between their senior and junior panels.
“Of the 31 players, 11 are home-based. Twenty are in further education or employment outside of Longford,” Brady told 2fm’s Game On.
The remaining player, Brady’s son Rian, travels back from Leeds to tog out for his club.
Little wonder he describes it as a “total effort” from the players.
The County final victory was all the sweeter as it came against neighbours Abbeylara, a team Mullinalaghta are more than familiar with.
“Twenty-five years ago we formed an underage club called Northern Gaels with Abberylara parish, a separate club.
“We play underage football until 18 with them, before we go back to our separate clubs.
“It was a tense affair.”
The club last won in 1950 and after emerging victorious in the county final, the current crop were keen to pay tribute to the last winning team.
"Their first stop was at the graveyard”
“We were a dominant force back then, but with emigration we lost a lot of people,” he said.
“It was the first place the lads wanted to go after winning the cup because all of the 1950 team are deceased. The last member died two years ago.
“Most of our players, it was their granddads that were on the team in 1950. In honour of them, their first stop was at the graveyard.”
Next up are Dublin powerhouse St Vincents, who overcame the black card to Connolly last time out to book their place in the last four.
Brady is defiant, if not realistic, of the task at hand.
“We understand it’s a David and Goliath scenario. We know what’s ahead of us, but we have no fear of the opposition.”
