24 August
De La Salle
v Tallow (7.00 at Fraher Field)Their fate is in their own hands but what a task for Tallow to make the business end of the championship. They turned up with a feisty attitude against Ballyduff and pressed from the front. That’s just a starting point on Saturday night. Getting Thomas Ryan motoring is central to building up a winning total and Aidan Kearney also appeared to enjoy his stint at wing forward last time out. For De La Salle, the incentive is to achieve five wins from five and even though John Mullane limped out of the Lismore clash they won’t allow their standards to dip.
Prediction: De La Salle
Lismore v An Rinn (7.00 at Clashmore)
Lismore are staring down the cliff edge now and An Rinn can nudge them in that direction. A win for the Gaeltacht side elevates them above Lismore and out of relegation waters. Defeat and a relegation play-off is unthinkable territory for Brendan Landers’ men. With many of the pieces in place, it’s a matter of putting things together at both ends. They conceded four goals in successive games (Ballyhale and De La Salle) and may need Dave Bennett to boost the forwards. An Rinn’s prospects hinge on the availability of Donie Breathnach but either way, Lismore must roll up their sleeves.
Fourmilewater v Ballyduff Upper (7.00 at Cappoquin)
The only issue that arises here is which team will take second spot. Fourmile’ could do with the boost of a second win in a row given the loss of Shane Walsh and a dip in performance levels across the board. They will lean on Liam Lawlor and Jamie Barron to stay steady and for the likes of Seamus Lawlor to emerge from the shadows in a similar manner to the An Rinn encounter. At this moment in time, Ballyduff’s graph remains constant and Mikey Kearney’s radar is working reliably.
Prediction: Ballyduff Upper
25 August
Ballygunner v Passage (7.00 at
The Gunners were in determined mood from the first whistle last Sunday night. Andy Moloney got their alignment and tactics spot on which left Dungarvan playing catch up. Pauric Mahony’s sweet striking along with Brian O’Sullivan and JJ Hutchinson gives much more of an attacking threat than earlier in the championship. Passage came good to knock
Prediction: Ballygunner
Dungarvan v
Abbeyside (7.00 at Fraher Field)
One or both
of these noisy neighbours may remain standing by the close of business. The
equation is simple for Dungarvan but Abbeyside can still lose and make the cut.
With no knowledge of the Ballygunner scoreline, these two cannot afford to rely
on favours. The Blues were flat last Sunday for long stretches before conjuring
up a mini reprisal. Their big leaders from 2012 (Jamie Nagle, Shane Kearney and
Gavin Crotty) have yet to reach those heights in this campaign. Abbeyside
turned a corner when they upset Ballygunner. They are a powerful unit and their
forwards are burning off their markers. Another goal or two from that attack
will swing the verdict in their direction although Dungarvan can expose a few
creaks in their full back line. Prediction: Abbeyside
Mount Sion v Roanmore (7.00 at Kill)
Sion didn’t do a whole lot wrong against Passage but missing so many key players gnawed away at them. Kenny Stafford was the latest to leave the fray last weekend. Their resources are strained but they can bounce back here. The Sky Blues are severely depleted in most areas and their focus is now on rallying the troops for a relegation decider.
Prediction: Mount Sion
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