With very
little fanfare or build-up, the start of the senior football championship has
crept up on us all of a sudden. The same format remains with two groups of six
teams and this can lead to a rather drawn out process before we reach the
business end. A minor tweak would be to grant the table toppers a semi final
spot with the teams finishing in second and third spot battling it out in the
quarter finals. It would certainly give a keener edge to the round robin phase.
No matter what system or structure is put in place, Stradbally always seem to come to the fore. Eight titles in twelve seasons and three in the last four is rock solid evidence of their consistency. They routinely hit their peak for the knockout rounds and time their run to perfection. They are very hard to break down and held The Nire goalless over 120 minutes to claim the Conway Cup in 2012. Their experience sees them through tight squeezes and the Ahearnes can operate anywhere from midfield up to the full forward line to great effect. The Reds remain the team to beat.
The Nire played ten games in last year’s championship and if Liam Lawlor remained on the field during the replay, they may have had silverware to show for it. The spine of the team contains familiar faces like the O’Gormans, Brian Wall, Shane Walsh and Liam Lawlor with newcomers Jamie Barron, Shane Ryan and Darren Guiry establishing themselves as starters. They utilised the kick pass to devastating effect during last year’s championship and their lethal attack targeted goals. Their defence is also a strong sector but they looked vulnerable under the high ball in both the drawn and replayed county finals. To go one step further, they will have to put their miserable losing sequence against Stradbally to bed. In typical fashion, these two teams ended all square in their Phelan Cup clash last weekend!
Ballinacourty must rediscover the appetite that brought them success in 2011. Their title defence never gathered pace after a slow start so they will seek to hit the ground running on Friday night. With a formidable forward line, they will be there or thereabouts yet again.
What about the chasing pack?
Clashmore
reached the last four in 2012 but they were outgunned in a shootout with The
Nire. They built up a head of steam through the group stages and they grew in
stature as the championship progressed. With some talented young footballers on
board like Tadhg Bourke and Paul O’Connor, they will target the latter stages
once more.
The other team in green and red started strongly last year by beating Ballinacourty but their slow build-up play became predictable and they need to become more direct and give Gavin Nugent and Edmomd Hogan more supply. An Rinn are consistent senior performers and have troubled the top teams but without claiming a notable scalp. It will be interesting to see if they can push on this time around. Their dual senior status may also have an impact on their challenge.
Ballinameela are back in the big time after gaining promotion at the first time of asking. In 2010, they were only a matter of seconds away from a county final appearance but three years on they may have a battle on their hands to avoid a relegation scrap. Brickey Rangers are also in danger of getting sucked in and they need to find some firepower. Their battling qualities may be sufficient to survive. Gaultier and St Saviours also face an uphill task and the latter may not make another great escape.
Stradbally start as favourites and deservedly so given their remarkable record. The Nire will be hungry however to avenge last year’s loss and to end a five year wait for the Conway Cup. If they can avoid injuries to key players, they look the most likely to stop Stradbally in their tracks.
Round 1 Previews
12 April
Ballinacourty
v An Rinn (8.00 at Fraher Field) Group 2
The pick of the first round fixtures gets the
ball rolling on Friday night. Ballinacourty started in sluggish fashion last
season and their work rate and intensity levels never reached the same heights
of 2011. They will need to be at their best because Liam O’Lonain is in top form
at the moment and Donie Breathnach can kick points off both left and right. Odds: Ballinacourty 2/5 Draw 7/1 An Rinn 9/4
Prediction: Ballinacourty
13 April
Stradbally
v Gaultier (7.00 at Walsh
Park
Stradbally
rarely step outside Fraher Field but they make a rare trip to the other county
ground this weekend. They don’t usually burst from the traps so this gives
Gaultier a glimmer of hope. The Eastern outfit rely heavily on JJ Hutchinson
for scores however and the Reds rearguard will put the squeeze on even if it is
only the first round. Odds: Stradbally 1/10 Draw 11/1 Gaultier 6/1
Prediction: Stradbally
Clashmore v
These two teams will target a positive start to set them up for a spot in the knockout stages.
Odds: Clashmore 8/13 Draw 13/2
Prediction: Clashmore
Rathgormack v Ballinameela (7.00 at Stradbally) Group 2
A toss of the euro here between two evenly matched outfits. In what could prove to be a low scoring battle, Rathgormack hold a few more aces in attack.
Odds: Rathgormack 2/5 Draw 15/2 Ballinameela 9/4
Prediction: Rathgormack
14 April
Kilrossanty
v St Saviours (3.30 at Walsh
Park
Although
Kilrossanty are short odds, this could prove to be a tricky assignment. If Saviours
can start well they will make life difficult for John Kiely’s side at the city
venue. Paul Whyte was the top scorer in last year’s championship and his
accuracy could prove the difference here. Odds: Kilrossanty 1/7 Draw 10/1 St Saviours 5/1
Prediction: Kilrossanty
The Nire v Brickey Rangers (7.00 at Fraher Field) Group 2
The Brickeys are full of fight but lacking in firepower and a goal threat. With experienced players throughout the field, The Nire should get up and running here with a comfortable win.
Odds: The Nire 1/20 Draw 12/1 Brickey Rangers 9/1
Prediction: The Nire
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