The Nire and Ballinacourty booked their quarter final spots last weekend and over the coming days further places will be filled as the county board experiments with midweek fixtures. This championship desperately searches for a shot in the arm. The crowds are clearly staying away until the knockout pairings are determined. In 2013, only three fixtures (two double headers and Stradbally v Kilrossanty) exceeded €1,000 in gate receipts during the group stages. Just €110 was collected at Stradbally for the meeting of Gaultier and Ardmore. It’s hard to disagree with Timmy O’Keeffe’s assessment that interest in the league section is at “an all-time low.” Will midweek football see a spike in numbers? The jury is dubious.
On the field, An Rinn, Rathgormack and Kilrossanty are among those capable of disrupting the sense of inevitability. All three are within touching distance of the quarters. Ballinacourty and The Nire are bulldozing their way through the group stages with Stradbally yet to fire on all cylinders. In the relegation situation, the fifth round game between Ardmore and Clashmore already appears central to their fortunes. In Group 2, take your pick from Gauliter, St Saviours, De La Salle and Ballinameela. The Western side look most vulnerable at this point.
Wednesday July 30
An Rinn v Ardmore (7.30 at Bushy Park)
An Rinn know that a win will ensure progression to the next stage. Liam Ó Lonáin is likely to start following a flat team performance on Sunday evening against the champions. Their free taking lacked conviction and they fluffed seven scoring chances during the second half. Ardmore are shooting less than ten points per game and face a dogfight to avoid the drop. They moved Seamus Keating to full forward during the second half against Rathgormack and that may prove the best position to maximise his potential.
Odds: An Rinn 1/3 Draw 8/1 Ardmore 5/2
Prediction: An Rinn
The Nire v De La Salle (7.30 at Stradbally)
The Nire made light work of the Stradbally assignment despite the late goal flurry to make the quarters. They stand as the highest scorers so far with 8-43 posted in three games. Shane Ryan and Liam Lawlor combined for 2-7 between them on Saturday. They have also integrated Jack Guiry and Keith Guiry into this year’s model. The high ball caused difficulty for the defence in the last ten minutes on Saturday as Stradbally struck for three goals. De La Salle could feel unlucky to lose out against Gaultier as they surrendered control just before the finish line. They can also score heavily but their fate may be determined by the final round fixture with Ballinameela.
Odds: The Nire 1/16 Draw 16/1 De La Salle 13/2
Prediction: The Nire
Kilrossanty v Rathgormack (7.30 at Fraher Field)
Kilrossanty clung on for a point against Clashmore although Tommy Prendergast played a towering role with three white flags. Despite the three point margin of victory, Rathgormack were in total control against Ardmore. Gavin Nugent provides the flair up front but they are well organised defensively. Momentum may lie with the green and red.
Odds: Kilrossanty 1/2 Draw 7/1 Rathgormack 15/8
Prediction: Rathgormack
Thursday July 31
Gaultier v St Saviours (7.30 at Walsh Park)
Victory for either side here would rid them of relegation troubles and propel them close to the knockout phase. Both arrive in good form after narrow weekend wins. JJ Hutchinson has fired 1-18 out of Gaultier’s 3-28 total so far. Brian Power leads an improving Saviours attack on 1-8. With plenty to play for, this could be spicy.
Odds: Gaultier 4/6 Draw 7/1 St Saviours 11/8
Prediction: Gaultier
Ballinacourty v Clashmore (7.30 at Fraher Field)
Clashmore reached the semis two years ago but they would accept survival at this stage. They could have closed out the Kilrossanty game on Saturday. They possess an exciting young forward in Paul O’Connor who accounted for eight points. Although Courty are qualified already, they will hardly take the foot off the gas. Despite the absence of Shane Briggs, Richie Foley and Mark Fives from the first fifteen, they cut through An Rinn from the throw in. Patrick Hurney and Mark Ferncombe are again delivering big time in a forward division scoring 17 points per game.
Odds: Ballinacourty 1/6 Draw 12/1 Clashmore 4/1
Prediction: Ballinacourty
Friday 1 August
Stradbally v Ballinameela (7.30 at Fraher Field)
The lowest scorers in the championship (twenty points over three games) have a battle on their hands to stay away from the relegation play-off. Ballinameela are yet to rattle the net and failed to capitalise fully on wind advantage in the first half versus Saviours. Stradbally are yet to show their true colours. They grinded out wins against Gaultier and De La Salle and only sprang to life late on last weekend. The concession of five goals so far is a worry for the Reds. Despite this sluggishness, they should confirm qualification in comfortable fashion on Friday.
Odds: Stradbally 1/20 Draw 20/1 Ballinameela 7/1
Prediction: Stradbally
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