Four home sides expected to win
INTERMEDIATE CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUND 2
Sunday, April 26 (all at 2pm)
Spa v Kenmare
ON county league form Kenmare should be winning this - they have won their first three matches in the league, including two on the road, and face a Spa team with a win, a draw and a loss to their name in the league.
But, of course, this is championship football where the rules of engagement are difference, and teams take on a different mentality to that of their league psyche.
To that end, Spa have always shown themselves to be a tough nut to crack in championship football. There is enough of this current team who know what it takes to win an Intermediate title to make them a daunting team to face and Spa a hard place to go to and get a championship win.
Mike O’Donoghue is always an outlet for them for scores, and with Andrew Garnett and Liam Kearney fine talents around the middle third, Spa are sure to be competitive throughout.
Kenmare had a narrow win over Keel in the first round, with Paul O’Connor scoring 10 of their 14-point total. They, too, know what it’s like to be champions, albeit at Junior level, and they have the talent to go further in this competition.
Kenmare will be keen and industrious, but home advantage can tip a tight game Spa’s way.
Verdict: Spa
St Marys v Waterville
AN intriguing south Kerry derby here, that could just as easily be a showdown for the Jack Murphy Cup as for a place in the County IFC semi-finals.
St Marys showed plenty of mettle to go north to Listowel and heap a seven-point defeat on a fancied Emmets side; the same margin of defeat Gneeveguilla suffered to Waterville in the first round.
Bryan Sheehan remains the marquee player for St Marys, but the Dalys - Denis, Jack and Daniel - and county panellist Paul O’Donoghue ( pictured) add considerable clout to their attack.
Waterville remain a team with realistic championship aspirations but they might be a couple of players and a couple of years away from really challenging for the Intermediate title. There are seven O’Dwyers in the team, with Stephen and Barry capable of troubling any defence.
This is sure to be a hotly contested derby but St Marys should advance at home.
Verdict: St Marys
John Mitchels v An Ghaeltacht
ANOTHER contest that should be close and competitive and mightn’t be terribly high scoring. Mitchels have three wins from three in the county league and eked out a hard-earned but useful first round win over Finuge. Alan O’Donoghue will be the forward An Ghaeltacht most need to watch, and don’t be surprised if Marc O Sé is assigned to him.
An Ghaeltacht are operating a division below Mitchels, and while that could make a difference, it shouldn’t be a major factor this early in the season.
Sean Mici O Concubhair is An Ghaeltacht’s key forward; if he is on song then the West Kerry team will pose problems for most opponents.
There’s a sense of a new beginning back west with a crop of youngsters coming through under the guidance of two or three of the old veterans. Their three-point win over Brosna was a solid start to the championship but Mitchels will prove a far sterner test than the County Junior champions, and An Ghaeltacht will have to improve accordingly.
Mitchels have settled well into their new home and they have a strong spine to their team from Brendan O’Mahony and Laurence Bastible in defence through Shane O’Connor in midfield and Ollie Coffey and Alan O’Donoghue in attack.
One would fancy An Ghaeltacht to prevail, just, back in Gallarus but the Mitchels get a tentative nod in Tralee.
Verdict: John Mitchels
INTERMEDIATE CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1 REPLAY Currow v Skellig Rangers
CASTLEISLAND Desmonds won’t have to travel far to spy on their second round opponents as Currow host Skellig Rangers in this first round replay. Rangers had it all to do in Portmagee to force extra-time and earn a draw, so the advantage lies with Currow at home and they should advance to a derby against Desmonds on Saturday week in Castleisland.
Verdict: Currow