There are still five vacant spots in last eight of the Waterford SFC. The Nire and Ballinacourty can add their names to that list over the weekend. Ardmore, Rathgormack and De La Salle will dispute fourth place in Group 1. Stradbally and Kilrossanty are sitting pretty in Group 2 and two from Gaultier, An Rinn, St Saviours and Brickey Rangers will also make the cut.
21 August
The Nire v Rathgormack (7.30 at Fraher Field) Group 1
Only three points separated these teams in last year's quarter final (1-8 to 0-8) and Rathgormack will hope to create another low scoring contest. They recovered from an early wobble against De La Salle to post their first win as Jason Curry and Jason Gleeson did the bulk of the scoring. Their fifth round tie with Ardmore looks likely to determine their fate. The Nire will have to brush up on their finishing based on last weekend's evidence but they stayed patient to prise open Ballinacourty. Shane Ryan also made a difference off the bench during the final quarter and may earn a start here.
Odds: The Nire 1/8 Draw 14/1 Rathgormack 9/2
Prediction: The Nire
Kilrossanty v Gaultier (7.30 at St Mollerans) Group 2
Two sides who haven't seen action since June but they will be fairly pleased with progress to date. Table toppers Kilrossanty are already through while Gaultier (on three points) need one more result to advance. The green and gold have brought out the best in Paul Whyte so far with 2-16 from three games. Gaultier's run to the Division 1 minor final has benefitted the senior side although their final fixture against An Rinn may offer the best chance of progression.
Odds: Kilrossanty 2/9 Draw 10/1 Gaultier 10/3
Prediction: Kilrossanty
22 August
Ballinacourty v Ardmore (7.30 at Fraher Field) Group 1
Courty won the corresponding fixture by 4-10 to 1-8 in 2014 and they will want to remedy last weekend's second half fadeout immediately. Their attack didn't function as fluently as they would have wished which may result in the return of Michael O'Halloran and Gary Hurney to the first fifteen. Even without Seamus Keating and Clinton Hennessy, Ardmore mounted a spirited second half fightback against Clashmore. A last day shootout with Rathgormack seems imminent for them however.
Odds: Ballinacourty 1/10 Draw 14/1 Ardmore 11/2
Prediction: Ballinacourty
Stradbally v St Saviours (7.30 at Kill) Group 2
Saviours didn't get the benefit of a competitive outing last weekend and that spells trouble. Stradbally took care of business against An Rinn in clinical style and are primed for another title assault. They used four of last year's minor team which freshened up things. Corner men Daniel Weldon and Michael Sweeney looked eager to impress and scored 1-7 between them. Liam Ó Lonáin exposed a few chinks in their full back line however and Saviours must capitalise on every opportunity to stay in touch. They may replicate the sweeper system used against Kilrossanty in the last round.
Odds: Stradbally 1/16 Draw 20/1 St Saviours 13/2
Prediction: Stradbally
23 August
An Rinn v Brickey Rangers (7.30 at Fraher Field) Group 2
An Rinn's absentee list was compounded last Friday when Tomás Ó Cadhla and Donie Ó Murchadha left the field through injury. They need all hands on deck to get the win they require. Brickeys could consider themselves unlucky to come away empty handed from their game against Gaultier after leading by two points with seven minutes left. In a tight affair, An Rinn's run-out last weekend gives them a slight advantage in terms of sharpness.
Odds: An Rinn 3/10 Draw 15/2 Brickey Rangers 3/1
Prediction: An Rinn
24 August
Clashmore v De La Salle (7.30 at Fraher Field) Group 1
With qualification secured, Clashmore want to hold onto top spot in the standings. They were coasting against Ardmore, leading by ten points at one stage, but failed to close out the game. Their opponents fired 1-4 without reply and it proved a tense finish. Paudie O'Rourke stepped up with 1-7 in an attack that averages 16 points per game. Brian O'Halloran and Sean Fleming also showed prominently during the first half. De La Salle have lost two of their three group games by a single score and as they are scheduled to face The Nire in round five, this may offer their biggest opportunity of survival. Lee Hayes, Colm Morris and Conan Watt impressed against Rathgormack although they missed the potency of Ian Cantwell and Mitchell Casey.
Odds: Clashmore 1/3 Draw 15/2 De La Salle 11/4
Prediction: Clashmore
No comments:
Post a Comment