Waterford SFC Round 5 Previews

 

The senior football championship commenced back in April and nearly five months on, we are still waiting for an edge of the seat encounter or an unexpected result to truly ignite the chase for the Conway Cup. In Group 1, Stradbally, Kilrossanty and Clashmore are safely through. The final quarter final spot will be decided on Saturday night as Ardmore and St Saviours go head to head while Gaultier stand an outside chance of making the cut. In Group 2, Ballinacourty, The Nire and An Rinn can prepare for knock out football but there is one more place available. There is the live possibility that it could go to a team that has lost four matches which exposes a flaw in the current format. Ballinameela, Brickey Rangers and Rathgormack are tied on two points and if all three lose on Sunday afternoon, fourth spot will be determined on score difference. Maybe when the curtain closes on the group stages the sparks will start to fly.

 

31 August
Stradbally v Kilrossanty (7.00 at Fraher Field) Group 1
In recent seasons, Stradbally seem to be becoming far more prolific up front which spells bad news for those trying to confront them. 6-59 in four outings makes the second highest scorers in the championship so far behind Ballinacourty. They are backboned by a ring of steel that means they never panic in tight corners. To stand any chance against the champions, Kilrossanty must put over a couple of early scores and sustain a high tempo over sixty minutes. The absence of key forwards Paul Whyte and David Power however offers another argument against a surprise outcome.
Prediction: Stradbally

Ardmore v St Saviours (7.00 at Carraiganore) Group 1
The winners here will march on but the losers could get sucked into the relegation tangle. Ardmore only have a single points to their name but they haven’t been far away from that elusive win. They suffered single point defeats to both Clashmore and Kilrossanty and gave a decent account of themselves against Stradbally. At full strength, St Saviours can prove awkward opponents and they secured a precious win against Gaultier in round three. Although Seamus Prendergast is an injury doubt and didn’t line out in the intermediate championship last weekend, Ardmore may scrape a low scoring game.
Prediction: Ardmore

Clashmore v Gaultier (7.00 at Kill) Group 1
Gaultier know that a result here can save them from a relegation play-off and they will be encouraged by the big displays they put in against Ardmore and Kilrossanty. Clashmore managed to qualify without a number of their key strikers but their scoring rate did suffer (3-32 in four games). The availability of Brian O’Halloran boosts their attacking options and John Prendergast is also a reliable shooter from placed balls.
Prediction: Clashmore

1 September
An Rinn v Ballinameela (2.00 at Bushy Park) Group 2
Ballinameela’s need is greater for this tie and despite the battering by Ballinacourty, they hold no fear of the Gaeltacht men. Their opponents are missing several regulars but have been operating at a higher level and got a commendable draw against The Nire.
Prediction: An Rinn

The Nire v Rathgormack (2.00 at Stradbally) Group 2
A couple of late goals against Brickey Rangers in the fourth round gave Rathgormack’s championship hopes a shot in the arm. Gavin Nugent may be available here after his travels and his leadership in attack is important. The Nire won’t offer their rivals anything soft however and their motivation is to remain in second spot.
Prediction: The Nire

Ballinacourty v Brickey Rangers (2.00 at Fraher Field) Group 2
The Brickeys are meeting Ballinacourty at a bad time with confidence sky high in the opposition camp from strong runs in both senior championships. Courty are also the leading scorers with Mark Ferncombe recapturing his form. Meanwhile, the Brickeys are averaging around eight points per game and that shortfall continues to hold them back.
Prediction: Ballinacourty