First wins are crucial for five eastern clubs
HEADING into the long break until the championship starts again in August - or whenever the county footballers bow out of the race for Sam Maguire - the last thing clubs need is no points from their two outings in the month of April.
That scenario can quickly evaporate interest for players who have little to look forward to over the summer months except a number of league matches. It is also the time of year when players - students in particular - decide to hit foreign parts and that can also have a negative impact on clubs.
Going into this weekend’s ties, several of the fancied teams in the SFC will be hoping to pick up wins and have something on the board ahead of the break. For those who end up without a point from their two outings, the threat of losing senior status becomes a live possibility this year, with three teams facing relegation to intermediate.
Previews
SFC
St Colmcille’s v Simonstown, Ashbourne, Thursday 8.0
A must-win game for St Colmcille’s following their disappointing showing against Na Fianna. This tie has added interest as former manager Des Lane is now Simonstown boss and Cille’s man Jude McNabb is one of his selectors. The north Navan men put a difficult week behind them to earn a narrow victory over Wolfe Tones last Friday evening. If Cille’s are to have a chance they need to stop leaking goals. Verdict: Simonstown
Wolfe Tones v Dunboyne, Skryne, Thursday 8.0
There are no easy games in Group C, and after their defeat to Simonstown in their first outing Wolfe Tones will look to kick-start their campaign against Dunboyne. The holders are minus a few regulars and that gives Tones a chance. Verdict: Dunboyne
Rathkenny v Longwood, Pairc Tailteann, Saturday 4.0
It’s not often that Rathkenny are hot favourites to win a match in the SFC, but they will carry that tag into this clash with last year’s surprise intermediate champions Longwood. The south Meath outfit faced a baptism of fire in the opening round against Ratoath, going down to a 26-point defeat. Rathkenny fared marginally better - losing by 12 to Moynalvey. The losers of this one can prepare for a relegation play-off. Verdict: Rathkenny
Ratoath v Donaghmore/Ashbourne, Pairc Tailteann, Saturday 5.30
Two teams who registered different versions of massive victories in the opening round provide the entertainment here. The Ashbourne men were very impressive against last year’s finalists Summerhill, while Ratoath had that runaway win over Longwood. A local derby, and there might not be much to separate them at the finish. Verdict: Donaghmore/Ashbourne
O’Mahony’s v Skryne, Simonstown, Saturday 7.30
Both these sides were victorious in round one. O’Mahony’s overcame the dismissal of Gary O’Brien to fend off Seneschalstown’s late revival. Skryne were less impressive against St Patrick’s and are again expected to be without Harry Rooney. Over past decades this would have been tie of the round, but not any more. Verdict: O’Mahony’s
Summerhill v Moynalvey, Trim, Saturday 6.0
Another local derby, with Summerhill, beaten finalists the last two years, fighting for their SFC lives. Cillian O’Sullivan did most of the damage as Moynalvey overcame Rathkenny, but expect Summerhill to deal better with that threat. Verdict: Summerhill
Curraha v Na Fianna, Dunsany, Saturday 6.0
Curraha are still seeking a first win in the group stages in senior ranks. They acquitted themselves quite well when going down to champions Dunboyne the last day and will need to at least replicate that display to win here. Goals proved crucial for Na Fianna against St Colmcille’s and they just might edge this one. Verdict: Na Fianna
St Patrick’s v Gaeil Colmcille, Rathkenny, Sunday 12.0
Gaeil Colmcille snatched victory with a late point against Dunshaughlin and will be favourites to continue their winning ways. St Patrick’s should have taken something from the outing against Skryne but conceded far too many silly frees. This could be another tough day for the Stamullen men.
Verdict: Gaeil Colmcille
Dunshaughlin v Seneschalstown, Ashbourne, Sunday 3.0
Both these sides will have taken encouragement from their opening-round defeats to Gaeil Colmcille and O’Mahony’s respectively. Avoiding the relegation play-off will be both sides’ goal this season as they build for the future, with plenty of promising young players coming through the ranks.
Verdict: Dunshaughlin
IFC
Syddan v St Michael’s, Meath Hill, Saturday 6.30
St Michael’s go into this game full of confidence following their victory over Bective in the opening round. Syddan, on the other hand, need to hit the ground running following their nine-point defeat at the hands of neighbours Castletown. The outcome could depend on whether Syddan’s scorer-in-chief Daire Rowe has recovered from injury.
Verdict: Syddan
Duleek-Bellewstown v Walterstown, Ratoath, Sunday 1.30
After notching up 1-21 in the victory over Dunboyne, Duleek-Bellewstown might find scores a little more difficult to come by here. However, scoring prowess is one of their strengths and they should continue their winning ways. Walterstown, who lost their opening tie to Dunderry, could run the east Meath side close though. Verdict: Duleek-Bellewstown