Duhallow clubs hit county championship trail

NEWMARKET, Rockchapel and Kanturk enter the county football championship arena with opening round tussles on Sunday.

Newmarket face up to Béal Áthan Ghaorthaidh in the County Premier IFC at Macroom. Last season, Newmarket recovered from a narrow loss to Kiskeam to better Grenagh in the back door only to surrender to Macroom in round 4. Earlier Macroom had been defeated by Béal Áthan Ghaorthaidh, the latter progressing to overcome Bantry Blues but faltering to Castletownbere.

To date, this season both sides have fared well, interestingly, the pair will return to Macroom in a few weeks to meet in the Tom Creedon Cup Final. An exciting duel lies ahead between to determine who plays Mallow or Bantry next time out.

The ordinary intermediate football championship sees 2014 finalists Rockchapel encounterYoughal for the second year running in Mallow. When the sides clashed last season, Rockchapel enjoyed a comfortable nine point victory before incurring a loss to Mayfield.

Youghal improved as the season progressed, losing narrowly to Glanmire and Kanturk after securing a two goal win over Adrigiole. Rockchapel’s current league form sees three wins from 6 starts yet they will be expected to surmount this latest challenge.

The winner advances to play Glanworth while the loser will focus on Glenville.

A double bill in Mallow is completed with Kanturk versus Carrigaline. Kanturk made firm inroads during 2015, narrow wins over Ballydesmond and Youghal saw the side strengthened to better Cill na Martra in a replay before faltering during the closing stages in a quarter-final against Mayfield. Some consolation was earned on winning the County FL Division 4 and currently, Kanturk are unbeaten from seven starts in Division 3.

First time opponents Carrigaline’s second team provide the initial opposition to Kanturk. Two wins from five league starts is encouraging yet the expectations are high flying Kanturk will advance to meet Mitchelstown or Douglas in round 2A.