The lifeless group stages are almost over. The average winning margin over the 24 games currently rests at nearly nine points. Nine of these have been settled by double digit margins (ten points or more). An urgent championship revamp is required to prevent these annual hammerings. Ballinacourty and The Nire will top the standings and both have completed their business in clinical style. They have fired home 19 goals between them. The group winners should be guaranteed a spot in the semi finals as a reward, another flaw with the current system. Two quarter final places in Group 2 are still up in the air. St Saviours, Gaultier, De La Salle and Ballinameela will squabble for these vacancies on Sunday evening.
Saturday August 30
Ballinacourty v Kilrossanty (7.00 at Fraher Field)
Nothing wrong so far with the manner of Courty’s title defence. 9-55 scored and a mere 2-29 conceded. Nine different players contributed in the 24 point thumping of Clashmore. Mark Ferncombe and Patrick Hurney are the tormentors in chief at present. Rathgormack’s defensive system tested them in round one but no other team has attempted those frustration tactics. Kilrossanty are hard to get a handle on. They went through the motions for their first three games before they blasted 3-14 against Rathgormack. Which Kilrossanty will turn up here? Tommy Prendergast bosses the middle and that high fielding and ball carrying spurs on the rest of the team. They have been threatening to take a big scalp for a couple of seasons but may hold something back for the knockout rounds.
Prediction: Ballinacourty
An Rinn v Rathgormack (7.00 at Stradbally)
Both sides are safely through but An Rinn will pursue that second spot to ensure a slightly easier quarter final. They are the only team out of the twelve yet to give away a championship goal. They are out to prove that last year’s semi final appearance wasn’t a once in a lifetime event. Gavin Nugent spearheads the Rathgormack attack and without him they surrendered to Kilrossanty last time out. They rely on getting plenty of bodies behind the ball and keeping it tight. An Rinn’s movement must be sharp to claim their fourth win.
Prediction: An Rinn
Clashmore v Ardmore (7.00 at Bushy Park)
A difficult 2014 in both codes for these two. Clashmore fell to the junior hurling ranks last weekend and Ardmore are on the brink of a swift return to intermediate. The loser here will be involved in the relegation play-off. It’s hard to envisage a flurry of scores. Clashmore will bank on the flair of Brian O’Halloran and Paul O’Connor after a goalless campaign to date. Ardmore look to Seamus Keating and the Gartlands but they are missing too many key men at present. The green and red by a fraction.
Prediction: Clashmore
Sunday August 31
Stradbally v St Saviours (7.00 at Walsh Park)
Back to back wins over Ballinameela and Gaultier should be enough for Saviours regardless of the outcome here. Their low point totals will be a worry however. Stradbally are yet to show the form of old. County minor Michael Sweeney already looks like a decent addition to the full forward and he posted 1-3 against Ballinameela. Michael Walsh settled into a redefined number six role during that game as the Reds again turn to the reliable names.
Prediction: Stradbally
De La Salle v Ballinameela (7.00 at Fraher Field)
De La Salle are in with a shout for the quarters but either team could end up with relegation worries by the end of the evening. A horrendous scoring difference means that survival is the best that Ballinameela can hope for. They have only managed 24 points to date compared to 2-38 for their Eastern opponents. The intermediate champions can push on.
Odds: De La Salle 4/9 Draw 7/1 Ballinameela 2/1
Prediction: De La Salle
The Nire v Gaultier (7.00 at Kill)
The Nire have bulldozed through all Group 2 opponents in their path. They have hit 10-58 and their average winning margin stands at 14 points. A JJ Hutchinson charged Gaultier have a quarter final at stake. Hutchinson is responsible for 60 per cent of their scores as he continues to carry a lone striker tag. They will need Wayne to dictate the midfield in order to stay competitive.
Prediction: The Nire
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