Plenty of questions remain unanswered
Seamus, Fia and Senan Ridley supporting St. Dominic's during their opening round intermediate football championship victory against Tulsk on Friday week last. Picture: Bernie O'Farrell
There were plenty of one-sided games in the opening round of this year’s championship, and that trend is likely to continue here.
Nineteen points separated the teams in Kiltoom at the same stage last season, so that’s the starting point for Western Gaels if they want to water any shoots of improvement.
The problem for Gerard Nolan’s side is that, once again, they are on the back foot after their loss against Strokestown in Frenchpark.
Seven two-pointers scored during that game will have been of little consolation, and it’s very difficult to ask pretty much the same group of players to keep going back to the well when, as it most likely, another relegation scrap beckons.
St. Brigid’s have some thinking to do themselves. Shane Cunnane has joined Eddie Nolan on the injured list, so the champions are running out of preferred options around midfield.
That’s unlikely be in issue here as Ben O’Carroll, Conor Hand and company are likely to enjoy plenty of shooting practice.
With a win under their belt, Strokestown aren’t immersed in the pressure cooker that Glaveys find themselves in after their first round lesson against Brigid’s.
There was much to like about the way last year’s intermediate champions moved the ball around in Frenchpark, and with Timmy Gibbons, Keelan Beirne, Colm Neary and Kevin Finn well going well for Pearse McGinley’s charges, they’ll be looking to cement their place in the knockout stages with a second victory.
For Glaveys, their championship begins now as they couldn’t be judged after running head-on into the St. Brigid’s juggernaut.
Their county players will always step to the plate, but it’s the help that the likes of Dylan Ruane, Darragh and Niall Heneghan, and Rob Heneghan will need around them that will determine the outcome of this game.
If their supporting cast can step up to the plate, Glaveys can get back on track. But Strokestown’s collective spirit all over the pitch is a better bet.
A game both teams will target to give themselves some breathing space in such a tough group.
Having the game in Strokestown suits Boyle that little bit more from a geographical point of view. But Fergal O’Donnell’s charges will receive a sterner test than the one Clann gave them in the opening round.
History has shown us that a Pearses team building confidence is a dangerous animal, and the way Jack Nevin, Declan Kenny and Paul Carey stood out from the crowd to help deliver a solid second-half performance against Roscommon Gaels will have pleased manager Niall Murray greatly.
But Boyle also came of age against Clann, and the absence of Enda Smith and Daire Cregg was hardly felt as Luke Glennon, Daniel Casey and Luke McGrath rolled up their sleeves and denied Clann the time and space to build up momentum.
Watching that trend develop further will be fascinating, as Boyle look like a team that can do no wrong at the moment.
It may only be the second round but, realistically, it’s last chance saloon for these teams in the final game of the weekend.
Clann did well to find a way back into the game against Boyle. Once they did the hard part, however, they fell away, and that will be a worry for Declan O’Flaherty and his management team.
Still, it was nothing compared Roscommon Gaels’ second-half collapse against Pearses where Decie Hoare’s side hardly raised a gallop after establishing a two-point interval lead.
Senan Lambe has quickly become the outstanding leader in the team, but he needs more help. In the absence of so many players, it’s hard to know where that assistance is going to come from.
On the basis that Clann appear more settled — on paper at least — they get a hesitant vote.
The last thing Elphin needed was a return to Rockfield where they staged a horror show — or “no show” to be more exact — against Oran in the opening round.
In their defence, any team missing players like Shane and Enda Killoran, and Gavan Murray, were always going to struggle, and getting their walking wounded back on the field will be the key to their survival.
In fairness to John Rattigan and Austin Kielty, they refused to throw in the towel last time out, but there was a sense of acceptance among the majority of the Elphin players regarding their fate.
Castlerea St. Kevin’s, who suffered a similar chastening experience against Oran at the same venue over a year ago, did a lot right for three-quarters of their game against St. Faithleach’s.
Adam McDermott will welcome the emergence of Dara Curran who is capable of shouldering some scoring responsibility up front.
If they can build in their opening 50 minutes against Faithleach’s, Castlerea can get the show back on the road.
Verdict: Castlerea St. Kevin’s
A fascinating game between two excellent footballing sides.
Faithleach’s late flourish against Castlerea St. Kevin’s was impressive, while Oran strolled to victory over Elphin.
Both teams will look to move the ball quickly into forward lines where there are plenty of score-getters.
Diarmuid Murtagh lined out at midfield on Sunday week last, but David Rooney and Mikey Dunne were able to keep the scoreboard ticking over for Ian Bradley side.
Oran’s usual suspects — Tom Featherston, Colin Walsh, Ciarán Lawless, Cathal Kenny, Charlie Carthy, James Fitzpatrick and Darragh Walsh — remain the key cogs in their side’s well-oiled machine.
But Faithleach’s have gone deeper into the championship in recent years, and that experience may be the telling factor in a game where’s there is little to choose between the two teams.
Once again, Tulsk flattered to deceive against St. Dominic’s, raising doubts about this team’s championship credentials towards the business end of the championship.
They should still get out of the group but they’ll get nothing soft in Tarmonbarry where the home side will be looking to build on an encouraging display against St. Brigid’s, even if it did end in a two-point defeat.
Tulsk have the talent but they’re not firing on an cylinders. Dominic’s “wanted” the victory more the last day, and that’s something Tulsk need to sort out, and quickly.
Barry’s were much improved on their debut season at intermediate level last year, and the emergence of Cillian Campbell as a player that is living up to his potential will certainly excite the home faithful.
But Tulsk, with so much to prove, should prevail.
Now that Dominic’s have pitched their tent, reminding everyone that they’ll have a major say in this championship, they’ll expect to take care of their neighbours’ second team in Knockcroghery.
Daire Keenan was excellent when his side needed him against Tulsk, as was Jack Lohan and the ever-reliable Eoin McCormack.
St. Brigid’s will be hoping that the victory against St. Barry’s will stand to them with Sunday’s game and a final round contest against Tulsk to come.
Two sides with plenty to prove after clearcut opening round reversals.
Shannon Gaels never got going against Creggs, and yet they have every reason to point out that their opponents’ ability to kick two-pointers was the difference between the teams.
But this is their cup final now, with the loser destined for the relegation play-offs Pádraig Pearses are doing their best to survive at this level as their more prolific younger players are needed by the club’s first team.
You can’t rule them out here, but Shannon Gaels should bounce back.
The match to decide, most likely, who tops the group.
Creggs were excellent against Shannon Gaels, and the emergence of Jamie Lohan and Leo Flynn has brought fresh impetus to the set-up.
But Michael’s will have noted how Shane Dowd shot the lights out from midfield last time out, and surely James Martin’s side will have a plan to negate his impact.
Last year’s beaten semi-finalists have been really solid this season, and while Creggs will pose them plenty of problems, the North Roscommon men should put themselves in pole position to reach the knockout stages.
Éire Óg’s defeat against Fuerty wasn’t exactly a shock, but the manner of it will have led to some difficult conversations around Loughglynn, Lisacul and Gorthaganny.
Has this team’s ship sailed in terms of getting their hands on the Jamesie Murray Cup or, like their neighbours wearing green and red in the Connacht semi-final, will a chastening defeat be the catalyst to get the show back on the road?
St. Croan’s didn’t play particularly well against Kilmore but they still managed to grind out a draw.
But surely there’s a kick in last year’s beaten finalists.
Kilmore will have derived plenty of positives from their stalemate against St. Croan’s.
With Caelan Bracken helping out the ageless Paul Garvey in attack, oncer again they’ll put their best foot forward in their efforts to take Fuerty’s scalp.
But Fuerty’s performance against Éire Óg was the best produced by any of the title contenders in the opening round.
With that momentum in their sails, they’ll surely pick up a second win and take control of the group.
The meetings of Clann na nGael and Kilbride, and St. Ronan’s and Kilglass Gaels are the standout games in next weekend’s Junior A championship action.
Fresh from their facile victory against St. Brigid’s third team, Clann na nGael will have a more realistic indication of where they’re at when they meet Kilbride in Ballyforan on Friday evening.
Meanwhile, Kilglass Gaels need to eke out a big result against first-round winners St. Ronan’s in Croghan following their surprise loss against Western Gaels in their opening game.
Ballinameen, Roscommon Gaels, Western Gaels and St. Aidan’s are expected to get the better of St. Dominic’s, St. Brigid’s, St. Joseph’s and Boyle respectively.
