Last chance saloon
SFC Preview THE last round of games in the qualifying section of the Senior football championship take place this weekend with two games on Friday and two on Saturday as the teams do battle for a place in the quarter-finals.
The funny thing about this round of games is that the team who would have been on a high after winning their first round game will now be coming in on the back of a defeat and that can affect teams in many different ways.
The one thing we do know is that after this round of games three or possibly four more teams will go to the Keating Cup where they will fight for survival along with Annacurra, Kiltegan and Aughrim to see which two will make the drop to Intermediate football in 2017.
That shows how important these games are and they will be hotly contested, all four are tight calls.
If you were a betting man, there isn’t one game in the list you could mark as a banker and this could be where the championship comes to life after a tepid enough start. middle got down to work and applied some pressure on the delivery that they eventually turned the tide.
The Kelly’s have lots of pace and are good man markers, Philip Dunne brings a physicality and wealth of know how to this area with Conor Burke and Rob Kelly energetic half backs comfortable in possession. Kevin Murphy is a good foil for Tyrell in the middle and is capable of the odd spectacular catch here.
Tom and Eoin Burke can still do it at this level and Garreth Bell is accurate at full forward and a good man to win his own ball. Stephen Kearney impressed when introduced and he along with PJ O’Keeffe and Matt Kelly will go looking for the scores to keep Bray busy.
It won’t be easy for them with doubt over some players but historically they have always competed well with Bray and there is no reason why they can’t do the same Friday.
Bray are one of those teams coming in on the back of a defeat but it was only just, a case of what might have been really for John Walsh’s men.
A chance to equalise at the death was passed up for a shot at goal that was saved and this allowed Blessington get away with a one-point win. it was such a tight game with match ups on both sides curtailing the influence of the good forwards on both teams that judging where Bray are at this moment would be a tough ask.
Cathal O Dulachain, Conor Power and Daire Lohan were top class in the full-back line and only shipped two points to their men over the hour. If they deliver this level of performance again any team will find it hard to get scores.
Niall Gaffney, in a new role on the wing, seems to be a kick-out option for Paul O’Keeffe, Ben McCormack has been a revelation at centre-back in 2016, Des Kelly completes a strong line and he can always be relied on for a score or two over the hour.
The energy of Aaran Murphy at midfield allied to the work rate of Rory Breslin will see them get plenty of ball here.
The doubt over Paul Cunningham, who has been suffering with injury since early in the year, could really hurt their chances going forward. He is a fine footballer whose loss was massive in the closing minutes of that Blessington game where cool heads were needed.
Niall McGraynor will be closer to goal if Cunningham doesn’t make it and with Marc Lennon buzzing around, Hollywood will be kept on their toes.
John Henderson is an effective link between defence and attack while the returning Mikie Browne is finally delivering on the potential he showed as a minor. Bray will have gotten over the loss to Blessington quickly enough and if they play a more expansive game can hurt any team.
Prediction: Bray look to be the stronger of the two teams here but Hollywood will fancy another upset.