I’m tipping Martin’s and Starlights to get to Co. Senior final
NEXT WEEKEND should be an interesting one as the semi-finals of the Senior and Intermediate football championships take place on Saturday and Sunday. At the risk of leaving myself open to the usual slagging, I am going to have an attempt at predicting the outcome of these important games.
At Innovate Wexford Park on Saturday, St. Mary’s (Rosslare) take on Kilanerin in the first game. Both teams topped their respective groups, with Kilanerin only dropping one point while St. Mary’s only lost their last group game to Bunclody, when they were severely depleted with injuries and holidays.
With both teams racking up loads of scores along the way and St. Mary’s still missing players, I expect Kilanerin to prevail by a small margin in a high-scoring game.
In the second semi-final at Bellefield, Ferns and Bunclody meet for the second time in this year’s competition as both teams emerged from the same group. Ferns prevailed by two points in the first meeting back in April and had an impressive win after extra-time in their last match.
Bunclody are buoyed after their last round win over long-time rivals Duffry Rovers and I find this one difficult to call. With both teams improving steadily over the last few rounds, Ferns may have gained a bit more momentum with their big hurling win, but still I expect Bunclody to just about shade it.
In the Senior grade unbeaten St. Martin’s play Shelmaliers in the first game. Both teams were involved in hurling and football for the last number of weeks so they will be fit and sharp. With plenty of inter-county talent on both sides this should be a cracking game of football.
Games between these two clubs are always close but the form team at the moment seems to be St. Martin’s and I think they should qualify for the final.
Starlights and Castletown met earlier in the championship with the north county men winning by one point. The Bellefield men are flying at the moment, having reached the semi-finals of both codes with some style, and I predict that they will surprise their opponents and win this tie.
In Junior ‘B’ I think Our Lady’s Island and Oylegate Glenbrien should qualify for the final, while in the Junior final Rathgarogue-Cushinstown might pip St. Martin’s.
Gusserane play Bunclody in the Junior ‘A’ final on Saturday, with my former county colleague John Roche still lining out for Gusserane. At this stage he must be nearly 64 years old and I believe there is a six-inch rusty nail on the back of his shed door waiting for his boots to hang on if they win.
In the interests of his health and safety I could predict a Gusserane win but I was talking to him and he doesn’t want to retire so I’ll tip Bunclody.
The great ‘Gooch’ Cooper is embroiled in controversy over his decision to have a testimonial to honour his career. With 50 tables at €5,000 per table, a sell-out event would raise a jaw-dropping quarter of a million euros alone.
It’s not the concept of the event but the benefactor of the proceeds that is causing a problem. His fellow punter, Joe Brolly, has been scathing in his criticism as only a portion of the funds will go to charity.
‘Gooch’ is an incredible footballer, a nice guy who has done his fair share of voluntary and charity work around the country. However, he has already benefited professionally and financially from his status within the game.
If he was to split the funds between his charities, his club, the guys that coached him, the people that marked the pitches, his fellow players, his mentors, the Kerry supporters’ Club etc. Etc., I think the event would be better received.
Perhaps he was ill advised and it’s not too late to make a U-turn and re-direct the funds raised. I think something of this nature will develop in the coming days.