Plenty of contenders and few pretenders
THE Intermediate football championship throws in at the weekend with some interesting ties.
It looks like 2018 could provide us with one of the most intriguing championships in years.
New manager James Hickey has brought a different dimension to the Carnew men. They were impressive all through the league and only lost to Newtown after extra-time in the final.
The loss of Brendan McCrea will hurt their chances as he was playing his best football for years. Cillian Gilligan, John Kavanagh and McCrea had formed a fine understanding in the full-forward line.
Commitment has gone up a notch and while they also have their eyes on a hurling championship the influx of younger legs will help and they are a team nobody will want to face in the latter stages. A tough opener with Donard-The Glen is a game well worth a visit if past meetings are a barometer.
Last title: 2008. Lost out to Ballymanus in 2017 in the knockout stage but will feel they are a better-balanced team now.
Tadhg Fennin is the latest occupant of the hot seat in Donard and the former Kildare star has quietly gone about his business.
They may be hindered by the size of their squad but won’t lack for any of the famous spirit that has been a trademark of their being since the 1950s.
A good start and if they can keep the squad populated would mark them down as serious contenders.
Last title: 2000. A win that will never be forgotten around the Glen and Donard as they got the better of great friends and foes Dunlavin. It looks like the struggle to maintain three adult teams and have them competing at a high level may be starting to hit the Village hard.
Harry Murphy has first call and they possibly won’t even know what will be available to management until after Friday’s Senior opener with Avondale.
They will still bring that famous spirit to proceedings and nobody will get an easy ride.
If Tom Byrne and Nigel Manley can get a settled team they could cause a few ripples in the group.
Last title: 2015. Completed the full list of Wicklow championships with their win over Ballymanus in 2015.
Dunlavin beat them in the semi-final in 2017.
Injuries to key players in a small squad really hurt their hopes last year but they still gave Hollywood the toughest battle of all before bowing out at semi-final stage.
Paddy Molloy and Kevin Byrne have had more of the same bad luck in 2018 and will need key players back to really take aim at the title. They never fear anybody and an opening day win over Rathnew would set them up nicely for another run.
Paddy Byrne amongst others may be back later in the summer so this will be the incentive for them to keep their hopes alive.
Last title: 1994. Losing final appearances to Aughrim in 2014 and Rathnew in 2015 would have broken the resolve in a lot of footballers but the Billies keep coming back.
More than held their own in Division 2 and had some fine results in the league. Grew as a team in 2017 and really enjoyed their run in Leinster.
Deccie Byrne has seen his squad further strengthened by the progression of David Miley, Eric Olohan and Ian Merrigan to adult grade. Damien Hanlon is maturing to a fine midfielder and they will face the challenge of Intermediate football head on.
The added strength to their panel could mark them down as live contenders. Could be dark horses and their opener with Ashford will be a ding-dong affair on Saturday.
Last title: 1982. Won the junior A in 2017 and their first year back in the grade will be testing. pionship days. There are one of the best clubs around to build momentum and a few early group wins could mark them down as serious challengers.
Philip Doyle will bring serious passion for the club as manager and their opening clash with Laragh will have been earmarked for a winning start.
A nice blend of youth and experience in their team they will be able to call on members of their Junior C winning team from 2017 to further strengthen things.
Last title: 2006. Held their own last year after a great junior A win in 2016 exiting at the group stage.
Round 1: Carnew v. Donard-The Glen; Laragh v. Ashford; Rathnew v. Ballymanus.
Round 2: Ballymanus v. Carnew; Rathnew v. Ashford; Laragh v. Donard-The Glen.
Round 3: Ashford v Ballymanus, Carnew v. Laragh; Donard-The Glen v. Rathnew.
Round 4: Carnew v. Ashford; Ballymanus v Donard-The Glen; Laragh v. Rathnew.
Round 5: Laragh v. Ballymanus; Carnew v. Rathnew; Donard The Glen v. Ashford. Finally got the monkey off their backs in 2015 winning the Junior A after a couple of final defeats. This is their third Intermediate campaign and if they can get their full squad assembled again they could cause trouble.
A win over Tinahely on Friday night could be the catalyst for Mark King’s men to really have a good cut at it.
They have a tough start but nobody will like playing them. Championship 2017 left a sour taste the way it ended for them so they won’t lack motivation to show what they can do.
Last title: 1959. Will not have been happy with how last year’s group stages panned out and will be itching to put things right.
First year down from Senior ranks and are many people’s ante-post favourite. They certainly look the most likely champions before a ball is kicked.
Under former Eire Óg manager Alan Costello they breezed through Division 1A but were pegged back by AGB in the league final and will have a replay to contend with amongst their busy championship schedule. Will hope to have their qualification sealed before the final game with Coolkenno.
Last title: 2005. Made the drop from Senior after a few close calls and have a fine crop of talented youngsters to call on.