COOLKENNO V EIRE ÓG

Saturday, Aughrim, 6.45pm Eire Óg manager Alan Costello won’t have read too much in to his team’s victory over Aughrim in round two, the win they had may not have given him much opportunity to find much out about his panel.

It was probably just a case of getting back on track after the loss to St Patrick’s in round one where they didn’t play to their potential and were disappointed with some of the scores they conceded.

Holding Aughrim to just two points was a sign that the defence with some readjustments was back in mean mood again.

The loss of Stephen Kelly is huge and any team would suffer when ‘Chester’ wouldn’t be playing but they have had time to prepare for his absence and after two championship games the defence will be getting used to him not being around.

Players like Danny Woods, Sam Thompson and Darren Hayden would fit in on any team and will lead the charge here.

They know Coolkenno will make them work very hard for anything they get, after they pushed St Pat’s all the way before falling off in the last quarter the Carlow border men certainly won’t fear the Greystones men and will fancy this.

Injuries have hampered them somewhat but if the list has cleared a bit and Liam Ramsbottom and Damien Delaney have a full hand they may sneak it.

Prediction: Eire Og to go through but only after a tough battle.