Kilanerin, Shels, Martin’s and Stars my tips for semis
THIS WEEKEND sees the business end of the local championships, as the all-important quarter-finals take place, along with the dreaded relegation finals. First up on Friday night is a game I will be watching through my fingers, as my own club, Sarsfields, take on Taghmon-Camross in the relegation final. This is the second year in a row we are in this unwanted final, and again this is going to be a difficult one to call.
Based on performances in their respective groups, Taghmon-Camross have to be favourites as they beat St. James’ and were one game away from qualifying.
Sarsfields did not win any game in the championship and will have to dig deep to find a big performance. Unfortunately for me, I have to tip Taghmon-Camross to survive the dreaded drop.
Defending champions Starlights have been very good when necessary and have qualified efficiently while balancing their hurling commitments at the same time. Their opponents, Castletown, had a bit of a mid-season wobble, but recovered to win their last two games.
Any team possessing the firepower of Ben Brosnan, Johnathan Bealin and veteran Anthony Masterson will be a hard side to beat, but I think Starlights are playing well within themselves and will now step it up for the rest of the season. Verdict: Starlights.
Kilanerin have returned to the Senior grade playing impressive football and have looked comfortable in their games to date. Their new additions in the last two years have really strengthened them and will make them contenders for the title this year.
They are the also the highest scorers to date in the championship. St. James’ rescued their season with two big wins in their last two games to turn them from relegation candidates to qualifiers.
These wins showed why they were champions a few years ago but I think this next challenge will be a step too far. Verdict: Kilanerin.
Local rivals St. Martin’s and Glynn-Barntown will be another interesting tie, with the Piercestown and Murrintown men slowly getting back to full strength. With one eye on defending their hurling title and a number of injuries to manage, they still did enough to qualify in second place.
Glynn-Barntown have been a bit inconsistent in some games but undoubtedly have the talent at their disposal to win titles. In this instance I think the scoring power of the men in maroon will be too much for the Killurin side. Verdict: St. Martin’s.
The final tie is between an impressive Shelmaliers team and District rivals St. Anne’s. Shelmaliers are the only team to have gained maximum points in the league stages, as they strolled to the quarter-finals.
A mixture of youth and experience has rejuvenated their challenge for the title and they are definite contenders this year.
St. Anne’s can never be written off with the talent and spirit they are renowned for over the years, but in this case I feel the Shelmaliers are the form team and should prevail. Verdict: Shelmaliers.
The Intermediate grade is currently in limbo awaiting the outcome of an appeal and causing a lot of frustration within all clubs affected. A resolution needs to be reached as soon as possible to give players a fixture date and an opposition to focus on.
Intermediate ‘A’ games will take place, and a local derby between Kilanerin and unbeaten Naomh Eanna should see the Gorey men win.
I expect Volunteers to beat Geraldine O’Hanrahans, Kilmore to come through in a close game against Clongeen, and Craanford to beat Cloughbawn in yet another close one.
With twelve other games in the Junior, Junior ‘A’ championships and Junior ‘B’ championships, there are plenty of entertaining games to keep supporters happy over the weekend.
Forget about some of the appalling inter-county fare we suffered over the summer, there is nothing like the club championships to get the pulses racing.