10 April
The Nire v Clashmore (8.00 at Fraher Field) Group 1
Three years ago, Clashmore shocked reigning county champions Stradbally on opening night. They start the 2015 season without a couple of key players and that may hamper their chances of an upset here. The Nire won all of their matches last year and will want to set out their stall early on. It is important to build momentum during the group phase while keeping a little in reserve for the business end of the season. Clashmore have the forwards in Tadhg De Burca, Paul O’Connor, Brian O’Halloran and Sean Fleming to compete but The Nire should keep their cool and prevail by a score.
Odds: The Nire 1/6 Draw 9/1 Clashmore 9/2
Prediction: The Nire
12 April
De La Salle v Ardmore (2.00 at Fraher Field) Group 1
Injury hit Ardmore survived by the skin of their teeth in 2014 as they blitzed Ballinameela in the relegation play-off. They need their young players like Sean Barron, Seamus Keating and the Gartlands to assist the Prendergasts and the Hennessys this term or else another struggle for survival looms. The 2007 county finalists posted a big score against An Rinn last weekend although John Gartland suffered a knee injury in the process. De La Salle didn’t seem out of place in the senior grade last season. Powered by the scoring exploits of Ian Cantwell and Mitchell Casey, the 2014 intermediate winners made the last eight. Both sides appreciate the importance of an early win.
Odds: De La Salle 4/5 Draw 13/2 Ardmore 6/5
Prediction: Ardmore
Ballinacourty v Rathgormack (3.30 at Fraher Field) Group 1
Plenty of potential here for a flowing game of football. These two teams met in the opening round last year as Ballinacourty required a late flurry of points to squeeze home by three. Brian Looby limped out of last week’s under 21 final and would be a loss to Courty’s full back line. Rathgormack’s youthful forward division no longer relies exclusively on Gavin Nugent and it could turn into a shootout. The outcome won’t be settled here until the last ten minutes.
Odds: Ballinacourty 2/9 Draw 10/1 Rathgormack 7/2
Prediction: Ballinacourty
An Rinn v St Saviours (2.00 at Kill) Group 2
St Saviours continue to train at their own ground but they have been forced to fulfil any fixtures away from home for the moment. Despite the difficult circumstances, they will compete ferociously and were most unfortunate to miss out on Phelan Cup honours in February as The Nire edged them out by eight points to seven. An Rinn have earned their status as a top four club by dealing with these tests and must be braced for a battle. The prolific Donie Breathnach can steer them to victory in the second half.
Odds: An Rinn 1/4 Draw 9/1 St Saviours 10/3
Prediction: An Rinn
Stradbally v Gaultier (3.30 at Kill) Group 2
A repeat of last year’s first round fixture where Stradbally survived an early fright. Gaultier led by five points at half time but the Reds steadied and secured a 0-13 to 1-7 win. JJ Hutchinson continues to play the role of marquee forward for Gaultier. He posted 2-26 in the 2014 championship and converted eight out of eight while on free taking duties for Waterford last Saturday. Stradbally are usually slow starters but new management and Tony Grey’s return to action should shake off the cobwebs.
Odds: Stradbally 1/10 Draw 14/1 Gaultier 6/1
Prediction: Stradbally
Kilrossanty v Brickey Rangers (7.00 at Fraher Field) Group 2
Brickey Rangers made an instant return to the senior grade as they held off a fast finishing Portlaw in the intermediate final. They will prove stubborn opponents and the progress of their under 21 side gives them further encouragement. Conor Phelan, Conor McGrath and Carthach Shalloe are proven performers while Cormac Curran, Cormac O’Grady and Conor Morrissey all look capable of stepping up to senior football. The presence of a rejuvenated Tommy Prendergast can shade this in Kilrossanty’s favour. He bossed the second half of last weekend’s league clash against Leitrim. A potent front six should be able to apply the finishing touches.
Odds: Kilrossanty 1/3 Draw 15/2 Brickey Rangers 11/4
Prediction: Kilrossanty
St Saviours continue to train at their own ground but they have been forced to fulfil any fixtures away from home for the moment. Despite the difficult circumstances, they will compete ferociously and were most unfortunate to miss out on Phelan Cup honours in February as The Nire edged them out by eight points to seven. An Rinn have earned their status as a top four club by dealing with these tests and must be braced for a battle. The prolific Donie Breathnach can steer them to victory in the second half.
Odds: An Rinn 1/4 Draw 9/1 St Saviours 10/3
Prediction: An Rinn
Stradbally v Gaultier (3.30 at Kill) Group 2
A repeat of last year’s first round fixture where Stradbally survived an early fright. Gaultier led by five points at half time but the Reds steadied and secured a 0-13 to 1-7 win. JJ Hutchinson continues to play the role of marquee forward for Gaultier. He posted 2-26 in the 2014 championship and converted eight out of eight while on free taking duties for Waterford last Saturday. Stradbally are usually slow starters but new management and Tony Grey’s return to action should shake off the cobwebs.
Odds: Stradbally 1/10 Draw 14/1 Gaultier 6/1
Prediction: Stradbally
Kilrossanty v Brickey Rangers (7.00 at Fraher Field) Group 2
Brickey Rangers made an instant return to the senior grade as they held off a fast finishing Portlaw in the intermediate final. They will prove stubborn opponents and the progress of their under 21 side gives them further encouragement. Conor Phelan, Conor McGrath and Carthach Shalloe are proven performers while Cormac Curran, Cormac O’Grady and Conor Morrissey all look capable of stepping up to senior football. The presence of a rejuvenated Tommy Prendergast can shade this in Kilrossanty’s favour. He bossed the second half of last weekend’s league clash against Leitrim. A potent front six should be able to apply the finishing touches.
Odds: Kilrossanty 1/3 Draw 15/2 Brickey Rangers 11/4
Prediction: Kilrossanty
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