It’s nearly been a hundred days since a ball was kicked in anger for football sides throughout the county. Ten of the twelve clubs have experienced a fourteen week gap between championship games. Kilrossanty and An Rinn finished off the second round all of eleven weeks ago. It’s now a case of cramming before the October deadlines for both county finals. Twelve football championship matches will be squeezed into six days before the hurling resumes on the second weekend of August. All six round three ties are well matched with quarter finals on the cards for some and relegation issues on the line for others.
Saturday July 26
Kilrossanty v Clashmore (Fraher Field at 6.30)
Two knockout regulars in recent years but both are under pressure to make it this time. Clashmore were laid low by injuries for their opener with An Rinn before an unfortunate ending against Rathgormack. The 2012 semi finalists are in a spot of bother with ground to make up. John Kiely’s side coasted through the second half against Ardmore but lost out to An Rinn in round two. There is slightly less uncertainty about Kilrossanty if their main men like the Prendergasts, Joey Veale and Paul Whyte are at full tilt.
Odds: Kilrossanty 1/2 Draw 7/1 Clashmore 15/8
Prediction: Kilrossanty
The Nire v Stradbally (Fraher Field at 8.00)
The first meeting of these rivals since the 2012 county final replay when David Grey kicked the winner under lights. Stradbally have fared better in knock out scenarios between the two. In six finals since the turn of the millennium, they claimed the Conway Cup five times. Both are unbeaten this season in contrasting circumstances. The Nire have blasted 5-32 in two games and merely allowed 1-6 past them. Ballinameela and St Saviours offered little resistance however. Stradbally had to roll up their sleeves in two Walsh Park battles with the Ahearnes to the fore. The Reds trailed by six against Gaultier before prevailing with three in hand. De La Salle scored four points in seven minutes but Robert Ahearne’s penalty brushed them aside. Always hard to split this pair and this is no different. The emergence of more attacking options in Shane Ryan (top scorer this season), Jamie Barron, Conor Gleeson and Keith Guiry to supplement the hardened core offers encouragement for The Nire.
Odds: The Nire 10/11 Draw 13/2 Stradbally 11/10
Prediction: The Nire
Rathgormack v Ardmore (Bushy Park at 7.30)
A youthful Rathgormack appear to have pushed away a dismal 2013 showing. In round one, they were level with Ballinacourty entering injury time before a costly turnover allowed the champions pounce for a three point win. They backed up that performance by beating Clashmore late in the day a week later. Gavin Nugent has scored eleven points in two games. Ardmore arrive pointless after two patchy performances. They failed to score for 42 minutes against Kilrossanty and conceded three goals in a matter of minutes as Ballinacourty burned them off by eleven points. Much depends on the accuracy of David Gartland and Seamus Keating to turn the situation around. They need the win to dig themselves out of relegation trouble but Rathgormack’s previous performances make a more convincing case.
Odds: Rathgormack 8/11 Draw 7/1 Ardmore 5/4
Prediction: Rathgormack
Ballinameela v St Saviours (Stradbally at 7.30)
Relegation play-off written all over this one with the winner well placed to move clear of danger. Saviours recorded 1-4 in both games thus far and never threatened to win either. Ballinameela should have closed the deal against Gaultier as they let a four point lead slip and settled for a draw in the end. Jim and Tom Curran combined for ten points between them. Similar to Saviours, they had a horrible experience with The Nire. Don’t expect a high scoring free for all here.
Odds: Ballinameela 8/15 Draw 7/1 St Saviours 7/4
Prediction: Ballinameela
Sunday July 27
Ballinacourty v An Rinn (7.00 at Fraher Field)
The two form teams collide in the headline tie of the round. The holders versus last year’s semi finalists and both want to play ball. An Rinn are ambitious and put away Clashmore and Kilrossanty to confirm their top four status. Taking down a high flyer would inspire them further and really shake up the championship. Rathgormack gave Courty a fright first time around before they blitzed Ardmore in Bushy Park. The spine of the defence is utterly dependable with an abundance of spark up front. Their strength in depth is also unrivalled. Shane Briggs may track down Liam Ó Lonáin as his runs provide that element of unpredictability. This game promises plenty if the big guns fire. Courty have created a host of chances in their first two games but must address the 28 wides shot so far. That superior forward power may be telling.
Odds: Ballinacourty 1/3 Draw 8/1 An Rinn 5/2
Prediction: Ballinacourty
Gaultier v De La Salle (7.00 at Walsh Park)
Newly promoted De La Salle have the forwards to trouble teams at senior level. They put up 1-14 to stun St Saviours and managed a respectable 1-6 against Stradbally. Ian Cantwell, Mitchell Casey and David Kennedy are among those to raise eyebrows so far. It’s hard to gauge where Gaultier lie. They lifted their game to test Stradbally but then escaped with a draw against Ballinameela. JJ Hutchinson scored nine points last time and Gaultier will look for another solo performance to boost their quarter final prospects.
Odds: De La Salle 4/7 Draw 7/1 Gaultier 13/8
Prediction: Gaultier
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