The pick of the quarter final ties in the football championship goes ahead on Sunday evening as neighbours Stradbally and Kilrossanty have plenty to prove. The Reds only lost one group game but didn’t appear as intimidating like previous seasons. Gaultier, De La Salle and St Saviours all made them sweat for the points. An erratic green and gold outfit are difficult to assess but they have saved their best displays for the quarter finals in recent times. In Friday’s quarter final, An Rinn are strongly fancied to halt a season of progress for newcomers De La Salle. The same quartet from 2013 look poised to progress. The final quarter final between Ballinacourty and St Saviours is pencilled in for next Sunday.
Friday September 26
An Rinn v De La Salle (8.00 at Fraher Field)
An Rinn are targeting a second successive semi final to cement their status as a top four club. They won four out of five in the group games and emerged as the only team yet to concede a goal. When they play at a high tempo, their movement and pace are hard for any opposition to cope with. Donie Breathnach, Lorcan Ó Corraoin and Liam Ó Lonáin carry danger in a forward line exceeding twenty points per game. They may be a little vulnerable around midfield. De La Salle won their first game against St Saviours and their last game against Ballinameela to squeeze through. They scored 4-46 and let in 6-50. Ian Cantwell is one to watch. He moved to full forward early in that crucial fifth round tie and scored five from play. Given the one month lay-off, it is the ideal time to take on An Rinn but this is a step up in class. The intermediate holders are in bonus territory here. The Gaeltacht side should get over this obstacle but can they trouble the big three?
Odds: An Rinn 4/9 Draw 15/2 De La Salle 21/10
Prediction: An Rinn
Sunday September 28
Stradbally v Kilrossanty (7.00 at Fraher Field)
Kilrossanty did enough to qualify for the quarters but for the third year running they crash straight into a monster truck. They rattled The Nire in 2012 and 2013 but came out at the wrong end of the result. During the group games, John Kiely’s side only caught fire against Rathgormack when they blazed 3-14. Apart from that scoring splurge, the biggest total they put up was 1-9 in the draw with Clashmore. The pressure for points rests again on Paul Whyte and Joey Veale. Stradbally have tweaked things but the starting fifteen remains along familiar lines. Jack Mullaney and Michael Sweeney are the two fresh faces with David Grey and Christopher Casey trying to muscle their way into contention. During the earlier rounds, Ger Power and Michael Walsh formed the spine of the defence but the ‘Brick’ may move further forward. Both sides will improve on their group stage showings as they gave the impression of holding something in reserve. In an important duel, Tommy Prendergast and Shane Ahearne will wrestle for the right to rule midfield. Despite the high mileage, Stradbally are not ready to let go just yet.
Odds: Stradbally 1/3 Draw 8/1 Kilrossanty 11/4
Prediction: Stradbally
Friday September 26
An Rinn v De La Salle (8.00 at Fraher Field)
An Rinn are targeting a second successive semi final to cement their status as a top four club. They won four out of five in the group games and emerged as the only team yet to concede a goal. When they play at a high tempo, their movement and pace are hard for any opposition to cope with. Donie Breathnach, Lorcan Ó Corraoin and Liam Ó Lonáin carry danger in a forward line exceeding twenty points per game. They may be a little vulnerable around midfield. De La Salle won their first game against St Saviours and their last game against Ballinameela to squeeze through. They scored 4-46 and let in 6-50. Ian Cantwell is one to watch. He moved to full forward early in that crucial fifth round tie and scored five from play. Given the one month lay-off, it is the ideal time to take on An Rinn but this is a step up in class. The intermediate holders are in bonus territory here. The Gaeltacht side should get over this obstacle but can they trouble the big three?
Odds: An Rinn 4/9 Draw 15/2 De La Salle 21/10
Prediction: An Rinn
Sunday September 28
Stradbally v Kilrossanty (7.00 at Fraher Field)
Kilrossanty did enough to qualify for the quarters but for the third year running they crash straight into a monster truck. They rattled The Nire in 2012 and 2013 but came out at the wrong end of the result. During the group games, John Kiely’s side only caught fire against Rathgormack when they blazed 3-14. Apart from that scoring splurge, the biggest total they put up was 1-9 in the draw with Clashmore. The pressure for points rests again on Paul Whyte and Joey Veale. Stradbally have tweaked things but the starting fifteen remains along familiar lines. Jack Mullaney and Michael Sweeney are the two fresh faces with David Grey and Christopher Casey trying to muscle their way into contention. During the earlier rounds, Ger Power and Michael Walsh formed the spine of the defence but the ‘Brick’ may move further forward. Both sides will improve on their group stage showings as they gave the impression of holding something in reserve. In an important duel, Tommy Prendergast and Shane Ahearne will wrestle for the right to rule midfield. Despite the high mileage, Stradbally are not ready to let go just yet.
Odds: Stradbally 1/3 Draw 8/1 Kilrossanty 11/4
Prediction: Stradbally
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