Another ‘Great Escape’ on Western front?
St. Dominic's supporters, Mia Connaughton and Violet Wright-Looby, will be hoping that their side can secure their senior status against Western Gaels on Friday evening. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin
After fluffing their lines against Elphin and Castlerea St. Kevin’s, the six million dollar question is can Western Gaels, for the fifth successive year, avoid the drop to intermediate football?
The Frenchpark-based side are the cat with nine lives. It will be their fourth final day survival battle when they face St. Dominic’s on Friday evening. On the three previous occasions, they defeated St. Croan’s, Strokestown and Tulsk to stay afloat.
Twelve months ago, St. Dominic’s beat Tulsk in their relegation semi-final so the Knockcroghery men also have the experience of last chance saloon shootouts.
It could be argued that St. Dominic’s were in a tougher group than Western Gaels. Even though both teams lost their three games, Tom Gately’s side might have more room for optimism entering the final dance this weekend.
Not beating one of the last two intermediate champions, Elphin or Castlerea St. Kevin’s, has taken the oxygen out of Gerard Nolan’s men. They were five ahead and a man up against Castlerea St. Kevin’s, but they failed to complete the job.
By the law of averages, if a team go to the wire for a fifth time in as many seasons, their luck has to run out.
St. Dominic’s have been caught up on two fronts over the past two months. But the word on the street is that there has been great co-operation between the respective football and hurling managers.
Western Gaels have been a senior club for 21 years since winning a historic Roscommon and Connacht club Intermediate Championship double in 2004, which built the foundation for a senior county final appearance against Castlerea St. Kevin’s in 2008.
For the past five years, however, Western Gaels’ championship has ended up being all about survival, which must be exhausting for the players. The evidence suggests that those battles have drained their confidence.
St. Dominic’s ended their exile away from senior championship football in 2022 and will not want to let go of their top flight status, with the glamour it brings for players and supporters.
No one likes to see any team being relegated but it is part of life. Just before The Late Late Show goes on air on Friday evening, the final bell will have rung with this season’s eviction notice waiting to be served.
When all the above is put into the bacon slicer, I think that Western Gaels will finally fall through the relegation trapdoor.
As Patrick Kielty returned to our screens, my Teaser viewers didn’t need a Late Late Show to solve the answer.
Can you name the Offaly player to have played in the most senior intercounty All-Ireland finals? It was Martin Furlong who played in six.
QPR, Frenchpark, was the first guest of the new season, with Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; Fr John McManus, PP Castlerea; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; John Croghan, Bundoran; Pat Higgins, Ballaghaderreen; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Pat, Sligo; Paddy Conlon, Taughmaconnell; Padraic Duffy, Ballymote; Martin Walshe, Carrowbehy; Noel Browne, Celbridge; Bernard Duffy, Longford/Loughglynn; Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore; David Callaghan, Castlerea; Seán Farrell, Dublin; Bernard Shannon, Boyle; Paddy Boland, Youghal; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford, and Michael Kearns, Clapham, also taking their seats in the audience.
This week’s Teaser: Can you name the last father and son to play as international soccer as goalkeepers for Scotland?
Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s Teaser came from Sligo.
Here’s one for those who like a bit of GAA trivia.
What had the three teams involved in the senior football championship relegation play-offs all have in common? They beat Éire Óg in the county intermediate football final to achieve their senior status.
Éire Óg have only ever lost three intermediate finals to Western Gaels in 2004, St. Dominic’s in 2022, and Castlerea St. Kevin’s in 2023.
Star pupil: Aoife O'Rourke who won gold at the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool.
Crucial win for: Oran who reached their first SHC final since 2016 with a two-point victory over St. Dominic’s.
Much do better: Aston Villa are the only side out of 92 clubs in England yet to score a goal.
Spot of bother: St. Dominic’s dual player Jack Lohan picked up a nasty shoulder injury when he was on hurling duty last Sunday.
Weekend highlight: Kerry FC reaching their first ever FAI Cup semi-final after coming from three goals down to beat Sligo Rovers 4-3, after extra time, in an extraordinary quarter-final clash.
What a cracker: No need for grinds to answer this question as the SFC quarter-final clash between Pádraig Pearses and Boyle in Enfield next Sunday is the clear winner.
“Never give up on something you really want. It’s difficult to wait, but it’s more difficult to regret.”
Fermanagh are the only one of the 32 counties who have yet to confirm their senior football manager for 2026.
If Roy Keane was the Republic of Ireland soccer team manager, would RTÉ reporter, Tony O’Donoghue, put the same questions to the Cork man as he did to Heimir Hallgrimsson after the Armenia defeat.
For the second year in a row, Pádraig Pearses will be involved in a quarter-final blockbuster. After taking out St. Brigid’s 12 months ago, the champions — fresh from an enthralling win over Oran — will be full of confidence.
Frank Canning’s men have won three on the bounce and are hitting form at the right time, especially up front where a lethal forward line are full of scores.
From the opening bell, Boyle have looked like a side that believe they can go the distance, displaying a mental strength and toughness that have given them an edge to go the distance.
If Boyle can win this belter of a contest, then Eamonn O Hara’s men are serious contenders. The new Sligo manager knows plenty about Pearses as the Roscommon men took out Mohill in last season Connacht club championship semi-final.
Fasten the seat belts, this will be a humdinger.
A clash between former Roscommon senior football manager Anthony Cunningham and the new man at the helm, Mark Dowd.
St. Brigid’s are itching to get back to winning ways. Roscommon Gaels are aiming to prove they can live with the men from Kiltoom.
The last two senior league finals between the teams saw St. Brigid’s run amok. In the build-up to this contest, both lost out to Tuam and Moycullen respectively in recent challenge games.
Make no mistake about it. Losing to Michael Glaveys has rattled St. Brigid’s and their response to that setback is eagerly awaited.
For Roscommon Gaels, we’ll find out can their forwards get enough scores to win a big knockout championship game.
Clann na nGael must feel like the cat that got the cream. While they will be overwhelming favourites, they could do well to read the small print.
Elphin have won two on the spin, scoring 4-33 in the process. Nigel Dineen’s men will relish being complete outsiders.
Last year’s intermediate champions are improving, especially up front as Evan Gunn and John Finnerty are sinking birdies like Rory McIlroy.
Clann na nGael are a decent side. If they trust themselves, they are a match for any side left in the competition.
We can expect heavy hitters, Ultan Harney and Shane Killoran, to go toe to toe at midfield. But who will Elphin detail to mark Ciarán Lennon? The Roscommon player is currently in blistering form and could decide this game.
Both teams have beaten the county champions of the past two seasons, St. Brigid’s and Pádraig Pearses, in the group stages. For one of last year's beaten semi-finalists, a return journey to the penultimate game of the championship is, once again, on the cards.
It's not too often that you hear that both clubs are delighted with the draw. After last season's niggly group game, which was won by Michael Glaveys, the scene is set for another intriguing showdown.
Something tells me extra time might be required.
If Tulsk are going to win the intermediate football championship, they will have to do it the hard way.
That journey commences against Fuerty where Liam McNeill’s men will need to have their game face on.
Creggs have it in their locker to make life uncomfortable for Strokestown, who will have to earn their win.
Like sheep searching for fresh grass, Éire Óg have found a hole in the hedge, which could eventually lead them to the pastures of a county final.
It was written in the stars that these North Roscommon neighbours would meet.
After beating Creggs and finishing second in the group, St. Michael’s are motoring along nicely.
St. Croan’s are winning games with cricket scorelines, with lots of overs to spare.
Kilglass are capable of making a game of it but will fall short.
Whisper it quietly, but St. Aidan's are in the mix as winning games has injected great belief into this young side.
St. Ronan’s will fancy another championship run, but that’s unlikely to happen.
A repeat of last season’s semi-final, and a chance for Ballinameen to turn the tables on their southern counterparts.
The key question is which of these clubs have managed to keep some of the cream away from the senior squads.
