The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Annascaul look like the favourites again this year
THEY probably won’t thank us for this, but again it looks like Annascaul are the favourites for the Junior Championship again this year. They are, afterall, the top ranked side (judging by league performance) in this championship.
Annascaul will operate again this year in Division 2 having secured a very respectable mid-table finish. They again find themselves in a group with Knocknagoshel and Knock were very competitive in this competition last year – defeating Duagh in their first round clash in Knock – and having secured promotion to Division 4 won’t want for confidence.
Their Group C rivals Kilgarvan, meanwhile, despite operating in Division 5 have some serious talent at their disposal and it would be most unwise to rule them out of the reckoning in both the group and the championship writ large. Sneem / Derrynane make up the grup and doesn’t appear likely they’ll be able to challenge, but championship as they say is championship.
It’s quite possible that Annascaul’s nearest challengers might be Duagh, who are making very positive moves in the right direction in the last two years or so. They’re in a pretty sticky Group A. The Mall will fancy their chances of getting the better of both their North Kerry rivals – Moyvane, who they’ll play first day out, and Asdee – but Renard will prove a tricky opponent to overcome and a lot will depend on when they play each other and where.
Group B is also very tasty with Beale and Scartaglin likely vying for the top spot, but we wouldn’t rule out Cordal either. Valentia will likely struggle again this year, particularly now that they’ve lost the O’Sullivan brothers Paul and Brendan to Austin Stacks.
Favourites for Group D will probably be Castlegregory, but Tarbert having secured their Division 4 status for another season will carry a bit of confidence and a bit of momentum with them this season. Lios Póil were relegated back down to the Junior after one year at Premier Junior, while Cromane and Ballylongford will have to play-off to see who gets to play in the championship proper.
As we say we’d have Annascaul as marginal favourites, but Duagh could well spring a surprise, while both Scartaglin and Castlegregory are capable on their day too.