Familiar four aim to entertain - SFC Semi Final Predictions

The football championship dearly craves a sixty minute explosion. Three of the four quarter finals were settled by a margin of eleven points or more. The semis on Saturday and Sunday promise at least one memorable tie to inject life into a rather jaded competition. The same four teams do battle as last year. Ballinacourty and The Nire start as favourites to recreate the 2008 final pairing.

11 October

Ballinacourty v Stradbally (7.30 at Fraher Field)
A repeat of last year’s county final and possibly the biggest obstacle to back to back titles for Ballinacourty.

They crashed out to the same opponent two years ago when attempting a title defence. They have won fourteen championship games in a row since that 2-12 to 0-12 defeat back in October of 2012.

Last year’s county final saw Ballinacourty rule the middle third under both primary and breaking ball. They also kept their opponents scoreless for a staggering 34 minutes. It’s hard to envisage a reprise this time around. To beat the Reds, Courty must move the ball at pace and avoid errors in possession. Their handling was superb against St Saviours in treacherous weather last Friday night.

Mark Ferncombe gave a remarkable solo performance from centre forward. He scored 2-7 and assisted two other goals. The Reds cannot allow him to play as he wishes. Will Michael Walsh take up the challenge? Courty’s attacking threat doesn’t solely revolve around one source however. Nine different players scored against St Saviours.

By their own admission, Stradbally didn’t set the world alight during the group stages. They returned to their old selves against Kilrossanty however and crushed the contest well before half time. All the usual suspects revived that spark. John Coffey and Michael Walsh interrupted attacks at one end with the Ahearnes driving things on at the other. They are hunting down a thirteenth county final appearances in sixteen years. No question marks surround their desire for more. Their starting fifteen in the quarter final showed five changes from last year’s county final. One of those new faces county minor Michael Sweeney is leaving his imprint on each game. He has scored goals against The Nire Ballinameela and Kilrossanty.

The holders appear to have the fluency, energy and pace to get behind a Stradbally side who have leaked six goals. They may need to depend on their long range shooting if the door is slammed shut in front of goal. They are hitting around 22 points per game and bring the best defence in the championship to the table.

Two years ago, Stradbally outfought them in this fixture. This will test their hunger to retain the Conway Cup. Courty by a kick of a ball.

Odds: Ballinacourty 4/7 Draw 13/2 Stradbally 7/4
Prediction: Ballinacourty

12 October 

The Nire v An Rinn (7.00 at Fraher Field)
Can An Rinn reach their first final since 1925? They are certainly edging closer to the top three. The twenty one point drubbing administered by Stradbally (3-18 to 1-3) at this stage last year didn’t sweep them off course. They are back for another attempt.

The Gaeltacht side opened up a clear gap between themselves and the rest of the field with decisive wins over Clashmore, Kilrossanty, Ardmore, Rathgormack and De La Salle. Donie Breathnach remains their marquee forward with a rare ability to kick scores off both feet. Lorcan Ó Corraoin and Fergal Ó Cuirrín supported him in the quarter final but injury continues to curtail the influence of Liam Ó Lonáin. They could be more ruthless in chasing green flags. Amazingly, they haven’t conceded a goal in over six hours of championship football. Questions arise over their midfield and their physicality and those will be addressed on Sunday night. They must hit the ground running here or risk another traumatic experience.

This has the makings of a flowing game of football with The Nire shooting close to 19 points per game. It’s six years since they last captured ultimate honours. They have lost two finals, two semi finals and a quarter final since.

The Nire blasted opponents out of their way during the group games but their scoring rate has decreased in the last two games recording 1-9 and 1-8 respectively against Gaultier and Rathgormack. Four weeks have passed since that quarter final arm wrestle which gives plenty of time for any injury worries to heal. They struggled to break down Rathgormack but had enough forward options to get them through. An Rinn will not bring the same sort of defensive strategy here which will suit their forwards. Shane Ryan and Conor Gleeson should play more prominent parts. A weakness persists under the high ball but this may not be put under the microscope.

Little separates the sides in recent collisions. In the 2011 quarter final, The Nire won by two points (0-12 to 1-7). During the group stages last year, the sides couldn’t be split at Cappoquin (1-10 to 0-13).

The Nire should be able to deal sufficiently with playmaker Donie Breathnach and finally break An Rinn’s resistance at the opposite end. The Ballymacarbry side have scored twelve goals thus far compared to five for their opponents.

Odds: The Nire 1/3 Draw 15/2 An Rinn 11/4
Prediction: The Nire

Gunners' inside threat can unsettle Sion - County Final Preview

A familiar ring to Sunday’s county final pairing at Walsh Park but this renewal of hostilities breaks with the great battles of the nineties and noughties. These two devoured every title available in that period but now they are desperate for a return to the podium.

Ballygunner return to the same place where they let a seven point lead slip last year. Their record in county finals since 2000 stands at four wins and eight losses. A new broom swept away last year’s despair. After tackling the matter directly, Fergal Hartley moved on straight away from the past. Unlike the previous two campaigns, they got their act together from the off. No need for a late dash to the line on this occasion.

Although they dropped below the 20 point mark for the first time against Dungarvan, they are generally returning 26 points per game. Pauric Mahony spared them in the semi final and he leads the standings on 57 points. Full forwards Conor Power (2-16), Brian O’Sullivan (2-26) and JJ Hutchinson (1-15) have all scored freely throughout the season.

After a trouble-free run through the group, the knock-out games presented different challenges. Despite being reduced to fourteen against Lismore, they hit 2-14 in the second half. They encountered trouble with Dungarvan and elimination beckoned when they trailed 1-12 to 0-12 entering the last quarter. Five unanswered points over the final quarter put some doubts to bed over their mental strength.

A couple of defensive tweaks also improved the feel of the team. Barry Coughlan moved back to the more familiar surroundings of full back after a spell on the wing. The return of Philip Mahony alongside Shane Walsh and Wayne Hutchinson gives them a formidable half back division. Walsh swept up plenty of ball when Dungarvan applied the pressure. The demons won’t be banished completely until the cup is safely secured just before five o’clock.

Eight years away for the Monastery men makes this final something of a novelty for all involved.
Mount Sion’s presence could have been predicted back in April after knocking on the door in the previous two campaigns. By late August, that optimism looked misplaced given the manner of the defeats to Ballygunner and Dungarvan.

Five changes in personnel resulted. They decided to batten down the hatches in defence and kept back to back clean sheets. Only seven points from play conceded to Abbeyside and De La Salle managed eight. In the most important move of all, Austin Gleeson nestled into centre back and that also brought the best out of wing men Michael Gaffney and Owen Whelan. The hassling from the forwards also affected the quality of the deliveries.

How will Ballygunner attempt to storm the castle? De La Salle opted for the direct route into Madigan and Moran with limited success. Sion will face a different proposition this time as the Gunners will strike ball in front of their inside line and use the full width of the pitch.

The Dungarvan speedsters caused the Ballygunner backs trouble but Mount Sion’s threat lies elsewhere. They play a short game and the vast majority of their scores come from numbers eight to twelve. Will Ian O’Regan deviate from that strategy? Two of these puckouts resulted in the concession of scores to De La Salle during the first half of the semi final. They will want to keep dropping ball away from Walsh, Hutchinson and Mahony. Richie Roche and Sean Ryan are recognised goal scorers in the full forward division but they feed on breaks around the goal rather than carefully constructed moves. Ballygunner look more likely to nab the first green flag of the afternoon.

The battle between Austin Gleeson and Pauric Mahony will have a huge bearing on which team enters the winner’s enclosure. In all likelihood, these two players will pair off on Sunday. Gleeson defends from the front and that may leave the space for the inside men to exploit. He will have to pick and choose his moments. Sion cannot allow Mahony an extra second to look up and spray his passes.

At the other end, Ballygunner will surely stay tighter to Eoin McGrath than De La Salle managed. He played a huge part in Sion’s blistering start to the semi final. The hard working pair of Martin O’Neill and Stephen Roche hold the edge over their direct opponents based on current form. A lot of ball went through their hands last time around and Roche rushed forward to claim 1-2.

Experience must count for something. Ten Sion starters will line out in a county final for the very first time. Conor Power is odd one out in a Ballygunner fifteen accustomed to these occasions. The potential impact from the stands also needs to be scrutinised. JJ Hutchinson and Peter Hogan made an immediate impression when introduced at crunch times during the knockout rounds. Apart from Kenny Stafford and Ian Galgey, the rest of Sion’s reserves fall largely into the untested category.

Ballygunner needed to pass that character test against Dungarvan. Up to that stage, their average winning margin was 12 points in this year’s championship. They must match Sion’s workrate all over the field and remain patient to break down that new defensive arrangement, especially the strong half back division. They displayed a determination in the semi final to fight and grind out a win. Another steely showing should bring back the bacon and their want must be greater than Sion after last year’s events. Time to stand up and be counted.

Probable Teams

Mount Sion: I O’Regan; M Hoban, C Ryan, S O’Neill; M Gaffney, A Gleeson, O Whelan; Martin O’Neill, S Roche; T Browne, E McGrath, Martin ‘F’ O’Neill; R Roche, S Ryan, G Carroll.

Ballygunner: S O’Keeffe; S O’Keeffe, B Coughlan, A Kirwan; Philip Mahony, W Hutchinson, S Walsh; H Barnes, S O’Sullivan; Barry O’Sullivan, Pauric Mahony, D O’Sullivan; JJ Hutchinson, Brian O’Sullivan, C Power.

Odds: Ballygunner 1/2 Draw 9/1 Mount Sion 15/8

Prediction: Ballygunner

County Final Scorers - Mount Sion v Ballygunner

Mount Sion 
Martin O’Neill 0-45
Austin Gleeson 1-23
Richard Roche 5-5
Tony Browne 0-19
Eoin McGrath 1-14
Stephen Roche 2-8
Sean Ryan 1-2
Michael Gaffney 0-2
Martin ‘F’ O’Neill 0-2
Kenny Stafford 0-2
Ian Galgey 0-2
Ross O’Keeffe 0-1
Gavin Carroll 0-1

Ballygunner 
Pauric Mahony 0-57
Brian O’Sullivan 2-26
Conor Power 2-16
JJ Hutchinson 1-15
Stephen Power 4-4
Barry O’Sullivan 2-7
Shane O’Sullivan 0-7
Harley Barnes 1-2
David Walsh 0-5
Barry Coughlan 1-0
Conor Sheehan 0-2
Tommy Power 0-1
David O’Sullivan 0-1
Shane Walsh 0-1
Peter Hogan 0-1

Champions unlikely to slip-up - SFC Quarter Final Preview

 

The semi final draw for the football championship takes place tonight and based on last week’s dour offering they can’t come quick enough. Ballinacourty and St Saviours complete the quarter finals with the Villagers 1/33 to get the job done. 

Last weekend proved one to forget for a competition in dire need of a lift. Stradbally and Kilrossanty attracted the biggest crowd of the season at Fraher Field last Sunday night. With very few parking spaces available and team sheets running low, both sets of supporters bought into this derby fixture. The contest fell far below expectations as Stradbally re-asserted themselves after a low key introduction. The gap is widening between the big three and the rest.

The Reds delivered their best performance of the season to dismiss fourteen man Kilrossanty. Michael Sweeney (1-2), David Grey (three points) and Tommy Connors (three points) raided scores at will for last year’s beaten finallists. Old reliables Shane Ahearne, Michael Walsh and Paddy Kiely also starred.

Kilrossanty started the season among the chasing pack alongside An Rinn, Rathgormack and Clashmore. Their puzzling form during the group phase followed them into this tie and any disruption to the familiar faces seemed very remote within ten minutes on Sunday night. Their last county title came way back in 1989 and they haven’t reached a final since 2000. Ardmore were the last side outside of the regulars to reach a decider in 2007.

An Rinn remain the last hope of a breakthrough story. Doubts persist over their strength around the centre however. They also have plenty to prove against a quality opposition after last year’s 3-18 to 1-3 semi final thumping from Stradbally.

Their Friday night fixture against De La Salle turned into a snoozefest. Donie Breathnach pulled the strings throughout with nine points (four from play) as they advanced to the semi final stages for the second year running.

3 October

Ballinacourty v St Saviours (8.00 at Fraher Field)
Very hard to look past a cosy win for the champions especially given the hurling commitments of St Saviours. Also consider the evidence of the group stages and the comparison between the two forward lines. Ballinacourty scored 10-71 while Saviours struck 6-28.

On a brighter note, Saviours put up stubborn resistance at the same stage last September. They departed on level terms at half time before Courty got a grip and won by six points (0-14 to 1-5).
After a sluggish opening to 2014, the Eastern side improved as the group stages progressed. They fell to De La Salle by nine points and worse followed against The Nire. It took them an excruciating 43 minutes to get off the mark.

Although they didn’t score in the first half against Ballinameela, they eventually prevailed by 1-8 to 0-6. In a crucial derby game at the end of July, they defeated Gaultier by 3-6 to 1-4 at Walsh Park. Stradbally survived a scare in round five when Saviours levelled with a penalty late on. Paul Houlihan has come to their rescue on many occasions between the posts with Dean and Peter Crowley shielding in front of him. Brian Power, Joey Phelan, Shaun Corcoran and Adam Brophy can produce moments of magic up front. After escaping from the relegation play-off three years in a row (2010 to 2012), this is their second successive quarter final appearance.

During the group stages, Ballinacourty absolutely demolished any opponent in their way. It’s hard to identify a weakness when looking through each line. The leadership provided by Mark Ferncombe and Patrick Hurney in attack frees up Gary Hurney to impose himself at midfield. In defence, they have only given up two goals in five group games.

Rathgormack frustrated the champions in round one and covered up the spaces that the Courty attack burst into at pace. Perfecting such a system requires time however and Saviours have to deal with an inconvenient six day turnaround after raising the Eastern intermediate hurling title last Saturday. Their opponents are relentless and tend to create plenty of opportunities. They had 37 attempts at the target in the 4-18 to 0-6 round four crushing of Clashmore. Even if Saviours arrive with a defensive emphasis, Courty carry too many weapons to be denied.

Odds: Ballinacourty 1/33 Draw 25/1 St Saviours 8/1
Prediction: Ballinacourty

Barron leads with Mahony in pursuit - SHC Top Scorers

Pauric Mahony needs to score at least seven points in Sunday’s county final to overtake Jamie Barron and top the championship charts for the second year running. The Fourmilewater sharp shooter rose to the number one spot after compiling 17 points in round one against Abbeyside and 1-12 during the crucial relegation play-off win over Ardmore. Mount Sion’s leading marksman Martin O’Neill lies in sixth position on 45 points.

Top Scorers
Jamie Barron (Fourmilewater) 1-60
Seamus Prendergast (Ardmore) 4-47
Pauric Mahony (Ballygunner) 0-57
Michael Kearney (Ballyduff Upper) 3-47
Maurice Shanahan (Lismore) 4-35
Martin O’Neill (Mount Sion) 0-45
Owen Connors (Passage) 1-38
Patrick Curran (Dungarvan) 3-29
Jake Dillon (De La Salle) 1-32
Brian O’Sullivan (Ballygunner) 2-26

Mount Sion v Ballygunner County Final Clashes

Mount Sion and Ballygunner have collided sixteen times in county finals. Sion have claimed eight wins, the Gunners stand on five with three draws (1988, 1995 and 2003). Ballygunner’s last success against the Monastery side came back in 1999.

1963
Mount Sion 4-6 Ballygunner 3-4

1965
Mount Sion 3-2 Ballygunner 2-4

1966
Ballygunner 2-6 Mount Sion 2-3

1968
Ballygunner 2-10 Mount Sion 3-2

1988
Mount Sion 0-17 Ballygunner 3-8

1988 Replay
Mount Sion 2-15 Ballygunner 3-8

1992
Ballygunner 1-12 Mount Sion 2-7

1995
Ballygunner 1-8 Mount Sion 1-8

1995 Replay
Ballygunner 3-13 Mount Sion 1-17

1999
Ballygunner 1-18 Mount Sion 2-10

2000
Mount Sion 1-20 Ballygunner 0-9

2002
Mount Sion 1-19 Ballygunner 2-14

2003
Mount Sion 1-14 Ballygunner 2-11

2003 Replay
Mount Sion 1-14 Ballygunner 1-10

2004
Mount Sion 4-14 Ballygunner 4-7

2006
Mount Sion 2-13 Ballygunner 0-12

Dungarvan CBS 2-11 High School Clonmel 0-7 - Harty Cup

 

Two goals in the space of three second half minutes propelled Dungarvan CBS to a ten point win against High School Clonmel in their Harty Cup opener.

In the October sunshine at Cappoquin, Glen Waters and Mikey Phelan delivered the fatal blows for last year’s quarter finalists. Darragh Lyons read the play superbly from centre back and slotted six placed balls.

The CBS shaded a lacklustre first half by six points to five. Both sides showed signs of rustiness as they struck six wides apiece and only three points arrived from play. Mike Kearns hit a booming effort from 70 metres as Dungarvan led 0-4 to 0-1 after the opening quarter. Ross Peters judged a sideline cut from the right wing for Clonmel. The dangerous David Roberts slung a point over his shoulder to narrow the deficit to one after 25 minutes (0-5 to 0-4). Darragh Lyons converted his third free before Roberts nabbed his second approaching half time.

Little separated the sides at the outset of the second half. Lyons struck over a free and a 65’ but the High School reacted courtesy of a Roberts free and a well taken Kevin Keogh single (0-8 to 0-7).

The deal breaker arrived on 40 minutes. A lengthy delivery from Darragh Lyons was broken down by Mikey Phelan and Glen Waters drilled a rocket to the bottom corner past Luke Delahunty. They were out of sight two minutes later when Mikey Phelan glanced home a Lyons free from close range. Late points through Kearns, Aaron Donnelly and Lyons widened the winning margin to double figures. The Dungarvan defence, where captain Michael Cronin, Lyons and John Curran stood out, restricted their opponents to just two second half points. High School midfielder Danny Owens received a second yellow card with six minutes left, a decision hotly disputed by players and mentors.

Elsewhere, Harty Cup holders Ard Scoil Ris discarded Blackwater CS by 1-20 to 0-9 in Cahir. Limerick minor star Ronan Lynch scored 1-9 for the winners. Gaelcolaiste Mhuire had four points to spare over De La Salle College (1-14 to 1-10) at Ardmore.

Scorers for Dungarvan CBS: D Lyons 0-6 (5fs, 1 65’), M Kearns 0-4 (2fs), G Waters, M Phelan 1-0 each, A Donnelly 0-1 (1f).

Scorers for High School Clonmel: R Peters (2fs, 1 s-l), D Roberts (1f) 0-3 each, K Keogh 0-1.

Dungarvan CBS: D Looby; TJ Veale, M Cronin, D Booth; C Barry, D Lyons, J Curran; A Donnelly, S Crotty; M Phelan, L O’Connell, M Kearns; M Culloo; E Crotty, G Waters.

Subs used: R Shine, A Kirwan.

High School Clonmel: L Delahunty; D Phelan, K Peters, J Ahearne; D Brennan, P Maher, Michael Barlow; Matt Barlow, D Owens; K Keogh, D Roberts, M Keogh; M Hogan, R Peters, D Ryan.

Subs used: S Ryan, C Bates.

Referee: T O’Sullivan