After fourteen weeks away, the time has arrived to begin again for the dozen senior sides. There is plenty at stake for all involved over the next three weekends of action. Round three will be instructive for county champions Passage, Abbeyside and Lismore who are all under pressure for points. Bookies favourites De La Salle can qualify for the quarters on Saturday evening while chasers Ballygunner and Mount Sion will dispute the spoils on Thursday. Can unbeaten Roanmore continue to spoil the party in Group 1?
Thursday August 7
Ballygunner v Mount Sion (Walsh Park at 7.30) Group 2
These two heavyweights carry maximum points ahead of a tasty renewal. Mount Sion have won the previous three meetings between these sides. Ballygunner’s last triumph over their rivals came back in the quarter final of 2010. Midfield will be crowded with Eoin McGrath and Shane O'Sullivan looking to make their presence felt. The potential clash between Pauric Mahony and Owen Whelan around this sector may steer the outcome. The positioning of Austin Gleeson will also be worth noting. They are ranked second and third in the pecking order for the county crown with the Gunners slightly favoured due to the forwards at their disposal.
Odds: Ballygunner 4/7 Draw 9/1 Mount Sion 6/4
Prediction: Ballygunner
Dungarvan v Ardmore (Fraher Field at 7.30) Group 2
These two neighbours last crossed swords in the Western Intermediate Final of 2009 which Dungarvan won by the bare minimum (1-11 to 1-10). Two defeats leave Ardmore rooted to the bottom despite the continued brilliance of Seamus Prendergast (1-16 in two games). Jamie Nagle may be designated to pick up Prendergast on this occasion. The Blues will start without Patrick Curran which leaves it up to Gavin Crotty, Cormac Curran and Cathal Curran to direct the attack. James O’Connor’s troops used their pace and skill to strike 2-20 against Tallow in round two and can shake off the rust of the long break.
Odds: Dungarvan 1/6 Draw 12/1 Ardmore 4/1
Prediction: Dungarvan
Friday August 8
Ballyduff Upper v Tallow (Lismore at 7.30) Group 2
Ballyduff rely mainly on Michael Kearney and he has produced 2-17 to date. They folded to Mount Sion in the second half of their second round match after chiselling out an important opening win against Ardmore. Tallow are fielding a youthful looking team this year although the defence that brought them as far as the 2010 decider remains largely intact. Keeping Thomas Ryan involved is central to improve their output. The 2013 version of this fixture finished all square at the same venue (nineteen points apiece) but the Reds can squeak this one.
Odds: Ballyduff Upper 1/3 Draw 10/1 Tallow 12/5
Prediction: Ballyduff Upper
Saturday August 9
Lismore v Roanmore (6.00 at Walsh Park) Group 1
If Saturday evening turns sour, Lismore face the gloomy prospect of group stage elimination for the second year running. They again turn to Maurice Shanahan for inspiration. Although curtailed by a back problem, he put up a remarkable 1-8 against De La Salle and sent over the equaliser against Passage. Upstarts Roanmore need one more win to almost guarantee a quarter final place. Few would have predicted such a rosy scenario for the Sky Blues. They don’t tend to shoot massive totals but make it very difficult for opponents to break through at the other end. With their backs to the wall, it’s time for Lismore to deliver in a tight situation and help out their star striker. A positive start will help them ease the pressure.
Odds: Roanmore 7/4 Draw 9/1 Lismore 1/2
Prediction: Lismore
Passage v Abbeyside (7.30 at Walsh Park) Group 1
This could have easily been the county final pairing last October but these two are now in danger of missing out on the business end. Owen Connors has kept Passage afloat so far with 1-19 in two shows of leadership. Eoin Kelly’s likely return should lift a certain amount of weight off his shoulders. Abbeyside lost out by two points to De La Salle and will present a physical challenge to their opponents. Placing either Gary or Patrick Hurney close to goal could pay off as the champions tend to give up goal chances. Mark Gorman must also be able to match the accuracy of Connors on frees. Passage prove hard to beat with only one defeat over their last ten championship games and that stubborn streak should serve them well here.
Odds: Passage 10/11 Draw 8/1 Abbeyside Evens
Prediction: Passage
De La Salle v Fourmilewater (7.30 at Bunmahon) Group 1
De La Salle blitzed their opponents last June by 1-16 to 0-5 on a horrible Tuesday night in Dungarvan. Plenty of fuel for Fourmilewater to run on. Jamie Barron is enjoying the freedom of a deeper role and he starts the second round as leading marksman in this year’s championship on 26 points. They forgot their lines against Roanmore after racing away from Abbeyside and that loss may prove costly down the road. Salle will miss the presence of top scorer and minor captain Shane Ryan (2-12 amassed over two games) but Jake Dillon and John Mullane can make up for his absence.
Odds: De La Salle 1/4 Draw 11/1 Fourmilewater 3/1
Prediction: De La Salle
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