Who will deliver a shock in the Senior Championship proper opening round?

The Preliminary round is done and dusted, the groups (winners' and losers') have been drawn and the real action begins this weekend.

Four groups of four; top two in A and B straight to quarter-final; third to pre-quarter final.

Group C and D and the top team straight to quarter-final, second to pre-quarter final.

Sarsfields v Eadestown

Eadestown caused a big upset in the prelim defeating Clane. Have to say they were very impressive, showed a lot of belief and and committment. The Boran boys are a talented lot as are Conor McCarthy and Eoin Conneff.

Sarsfields got over Moorefield with four to spare, poorish game but the winners were worth their win; won' want to take the opposition lightly but Con Kavanagh, Ethan Mountaine, Colm Harnett, Shea Ryan and full forward Shane Doyle, not forgetting Ben McCormack and Calum Bolton, should prevail but it could be a lot tighter than many might expect.

Celbridge v Allenwood

Allenwood did well against Kilcock, tight game just a point in it; Joey Cunningham, Johnny Doyle and Eoin Bagnall top class and can have a big bearing on the Leinster Intermediate champions of 2023.

Celbridge got over Raheens but not overly impressive in a typical Celbridge display, possibly not at full strength but they will need to be on their toes to win this one but having said that should have enough to record a win.

Carbury v Raheens

Raheens will fancy themselves in this Losers' group game. They lost out Celbridge and while still short a few lads away will go into this one confident.

Carbury were somewhat surprisingly defeated by a fine Confey side but a total of ten points will have to be improved on if they are to succeed. Expect Raheens to get back to winning ways in this one.

Johnstownbridge v St. Laurence's

Another one in the Losers's section, The Bridge, playing ultra defensive but using their pace to good effect when in possession; no surprise they ran out of puff in the second half against Naas. Nine points total says it all despite Daniel Flynn threatening regularly and scoring three points.

Larries lost out to Clogherinkoe and were somewhat disappointing. Missing minor star Senan Murphy, they will have to show a greater scoring threat.

Could be close but The Bridge should open with a win here.

Moorefield v Maynooth

This is the group of death and that's for sure. Maynooth hit 3-16 against Athy and still didn't get over the line; no shortage of scorers in a game that gave us no less than 44 scores.

Moorefield were well in it in the second half against Sarsfields before losing their way a tad. The Sash goal came late putting a bit of gloss on it but Moorefield will need to be a bit more adventurous up front if they are to succeed while at the same time being aware of Maynooth's scoring threat but Maynooth showed while they can score they can leak scores also, but should win.

Confey v Naas

Confey were one of the surprise winners when getting over a poor Carbury side and will be delighted with result. James Gately was in top form for his side who just escaped relegation last season.

Naas were put to the pin of their collective collar against Johnstownbridge but showed all their experience when it was needed. Never panicked and if they had taken even a small amount more of the chances they created would have won well. Expect the champions to up their game somewhat and win fairly comfortable.

Athy v Clogherinkoe

We saw both sides of Athy against Maynooth. A very impressive display going forward, remember they hit no less than 1-24, a score line that would win most games and with them comfortably. Eleven scorers shows they have the scoring power all over the field. However it is at the back where will be most worried and concerned. Conceding three goals, not to mention sixteen points is something that will require a bit attention but no doubt that will be address between the last game and this one.

Clogherinkoe will be delighted to have got the better of St Laurence's and while The Larries were very disappointing the winners that day showed they are a well drilled side. The Grehan's have lots of experience, Cein McMonagle is as good a forward at club level that you can get. Decent at the back, a solid midfield and forward division that will work throughout.

Still it is hard to see anything other than a comfortable win for Athy, provided they attend to their defensive frailties.

Kilcock v Clane

Few would have expected Clane to be going this route in their quest for championship honours. We saw both sides of the boys in white. At times they showed they are capable of and on paper they have one of the best panels around. However whether they did not show Eadestown enough respect and were then unable to match them for effort we will have to wait and see.

Kilcock, minus Shane Farrell, must have been disappointed with their showing against Allenwood.

If they are to succeed they need to get more out of their big players.

Clane, I suspect, will have learned from their defeat and expect them to come with all guns blazing here in this Group of Death.