Teams have no more room for error
Declan Kenny will hope to lead Pádraig Pearses into another county senior football semi-final when they meet Michael Glaveys on Saturday next. Picture: Bernie O'Farrell
This is a golden opportunity for both sides to ensure a year of progress becomes a highly successful one.
It wasn’t a shock to see Strokestown emerge from their group, but the manner in which they defeated Western Gaels and Michael Glaveys was impressive.
Despite their defeat against St. Brigid’s, their accuracy was remarkable. They have kicked 11 two-pointers in their last two games and are the joint top of the table (with Western Gaels) when it comes to orange flags in this year’s senior championship.
Castlerea’s youth and endeavour have helped them respond to an opening round defeat to St. Faithleach’s. A victory over Elphin was followed up with a draw against Oran, a game which Castlerea will feel they should have won.
Dara Bruen’s charges have been transformed by the infusion of youth this season, with Dara Curran taking no time to become acclimatised to the top level of club football.
His brother John has enjoyed a stellar campaign, while Liam Finneran and Kevin Hester look right at home at senior level.
Castlerea’s youthful exuberance means they will possess little fear but Strokestown’s experience tips the scales in their favour.
Defeat last time out against Clann na nGael should not unduly concern Pádraig Pearses. With top spot in the group already sealed, they were able to ease Eoin Colleran back into the fold following his return from the States.
In general, last year’s county finalists have coped remarkably well without Conor Ryan and Seán Canning, with Jack Nevin catching the eye in his new role at wing-back.
Declan Kenny continues to shine on the club circuit while Ronan Daly and Davy Murray bring precious experience to these knockout ties. Jack Tumulty’s pace continues to prove troublesome for opposition defences, while Paul Carey is capable of exploding into life at any stage.
Michael Glaveys have enjoyed a very different path, avoiding a relegation battle by edging out Western Gaels before sneaking past Elphin in a preliminary quarter-final.
Caoileann Fitzmaurice and Niall Heneghan starred against Elphin and they will need to help Michael Glaveys win the midfield battle once again to allow the Heneghans and Dylan Ruane to exert their considerable influence.
Michael Glaveys have the talent to cause an upset but Pearses appear well-placed to continue their march towards another county semi-final.
Pat Regan’s side’s “reward” for finishing top of their group is an extremely tricky assignment against a Boyle outfit that possess a myriad of attacking threats.
Oran were pegged back by a late Adam McDermott free last time out, but few would argue that Castlerea St. Kevin’s were not value for at least a point in a contest where they largely held the edge.
Until Oran manage to get over the hump and secure a big knockout championship victory, there will always be questions hanging over them. However, they have the talent to make that next step with James Fitzpatrick, Darragh Walsh and Charlie Carthy going well. Cormac Regan has enjoyed a stellar campaign while Tom Featherston and Colin Walsh help Regan form a formidable half-back line.
Boyle have flattered to deceive so far, with their resounding defeat to Pádraig Pearses still leading to questions over their ability to end their championship famine. Fergal O’Donnell’s charges got the job done against Roscommon Gaels, albeit they were slightly on the back foot before Michael Gillooly’s dismissal.
Two sides with questions to answer, but Boyle appear better placed to find the answers.
A repeat of last year’s county quarter-final, which saw St. Brigid’s cruise to an 11-point win. On that occasion, Ben O’Carroll lit up Ballyforan with 1-8. He has kicked 1-19 so far in this year’s campaign, while Bobby Nugent’s return from America only bolsters Damien Mulligan’s attacking firepower.
Still, St. Brigid’s will feel that they need to improve their overall accuracy in attack following an unusually high number of turnovers during the slender one-point victory against Strokestown.
Ruairí Smith and Seán Trundle have both seen their stocks rise in this year’s campaign, while Brian Stack and Ruaidhrí Fallon have brought calmness and composure around the middle in the absence of injured duo, Shane Cunnane and Eddie Nolan.
Roscommon Gaels didn’t set the world alight against North Roscommon last time out but they were able to comfortably prevail. Michael Gillooly’s return from suspension will be a boost.
Senan Lambe has brought his intercounty form to the club scene, with Eoghan and Rory Carthy alongside John McGuinness having the capacity to trouble any team in the county.
Deccie Hoare’s side will surely improve on their last showing but St. Brigid’s look the safer bet to end the Gaels’ year once more.
Last year’s beaten semi-finalists will square off in a relegation final that few would have predicted.
It would be almost unimaginable for roll of honour leaders Clann to lose their senior status. But they will need Shane and Paddy Gavin to replicate their performances from the victory over Pearses, while Oisín O’Flaherty’s showing in midfield was encouraging.
On the flip side, St. Faithleach’s have an extra game under their belt, but it is now three defeats in succession. Cian Glennon’s absence has been keenly felt this year, while they will need Diarmuid Murtagh to produce his best showing of the championship if they are to save their bacon.
Expect a ferocious battle, but it is one where Clann appear to possess the greater spread of weapons in their collective arsenal.
Kilmore caught a break when they were drawn out as the seeded quarter-finalists after finishing second in their group.
However, the absence of the experienced Paul Garvey robs them of a key attacking threat. Still, Caelan Bracken can trouble any defence, while Cathal Connellan has added pace to Kilmore’s ranks.
St. Michael’s were the major success story in last year’s championship. The mood music was positive after their opening two games. However, they were well below par against Shannon Gaels where only a late rally, led by Fiachra Henry, saved them from finishing third in the group on scoring difference.
After that subdued showing, James Martin's charges have ample motivation to, at least, match their run to last year’s semi-final stage.
Will Shannon Gaels not regret putting the foot down against St. Michael’s last time out as they’ve ended up with a very difficult draw?
Meanwhile, Éire Óg side have rebounded well to their surprisingly resounding opening round defeat to Fuerty. The sight of Enda Crawley enjoying his first minutes of the campaign against Kilmore three weeks ago would have been a very welcome sight for Brendan Greene and his management team. Conor Cox continues to blaze a trail, while Denis Barron, Jamesie Greene and Jason Doory are showing well.
Shannon Gaels, especially through Nikita Berzins and Hugh Molloy, have the potential to make life tricky but Éire Óg should get the better of their opponents at this stage for the second time in three years.
A potential banana skin for St. Dominic’s as they come up against a Fuerty side that have reached successive county semi-finals, and upset in-form Tulsk at this stage last year.
St. Dominic’s have kicked ten two-pointers and have added eight goals on their way to a blemish-free run to this stage. Daire Keenan has been a leading light, with Keith Doyle, Eoin McCormack and Jack Lohan contributing handsomely so far.
It has been a strange campaign for Fuerty. They were terrific in downing Éire Óg but have failed to build upon that showing. Their win over St. Brigid’s B on Friday last was their first in three games.
Fuerty have the capacity to upset the odds, so St. Dominic’s have been forewarned.
Creggs enter this contest as top seeds after a dramatic final day saw them beat both Shannon Gaels and St. Michael’s to top spot on scoring difference.
They possess players who would make any team in the championship, with Shane Dowd offsetting the absence of his brother Ronan with a series of consistent displays. However, Creggs have failed to fire in recent knockout games and will enter this contest keen to prove they have the necessary mettle to reach a first semi-final.
Tulsk have secured successive wins after their opening round defeat against St. Dominic’s but have played in fits and starts in beating St. Barry’s and St. Brigid’s. Padraig Scott and James Egan’s absences were keenly felt last time out. Thomas O’Rourke has kicked 1-24 but he needs more from the supporting cast around him.
Creggs have the capacity to test Tulsk’s limits, but Liam McNeill’s side have unfinished business.
St. Croan’s have been the most unfortunate team in this year’s championship but they’ll surely avoid the drop on form alone.
Two draws and a loss in the group stages compare favourably to Pearses’ performances where the Woodmount-based side have been outclassed in all their games.
Pearses are sure to come out fighting but Croan’s, as long as they bring the right attitude, should retain their status.
A testing game for a Clann na nGael side who are aiming to move one step further after losing an epic quarter-final to Ballinameen last year.
The Johnstown-based outfit boasts the best defensive record after the group stages, while their final round win over Kilbride was a sign that they can threaten clubs’ first teams.
Meanwhile, Western Gaels showed their potential when defeating Kilglass Gaels in their opening game, but their defeat to St. Ronan’s was a setback.
The pick of the quarter-final clashes at Junior A level.
Kilbride are on a high after their U-16 and minor teams claimed Division Two titles last week.
Meanwhile, Ballinameen come into this game off the back of a narrow defeat against St. Aidan’s. Brothers Dean and Gordon Casey are huge assets, while Ronan Garvin and Adam Dwyer bring pace to a team out to avenge last year’s county final defeat.
*Game conceded by St. Brigid's; St. Aidan's qualify for semi-finals.
Boyle produced an upset to defeat St. Ronan’s in their preliminary quarter-final showdown. Kelvin Gaffney, who is still eligible for minor, kicked 0-4 from play during that 1-9 to 0-7 triumph.
But Kilglass Gaels will provide a step-up in opposition as they finished top of their group on scoring difference ahead of Western Gaels and St. Ronan’s.
Boyle have the momentum, but Kilglass Gaels are the safer bet to go one step further than 12 months ago.
