Offaly Senior “B” and Intermediate Football Championship quarter-finals down for decision
THE Tullamore Court Hotel Senior “B” and Intermediate Football Championships will enter the business end of affairs this weekend with the four quarter-finals taking place in each.
There is a hectic schedule of games for supporters and it is a pity that there is so much on the one weekend. There are sixteen knockout games on with the quarter-finals of Senior, Senior “B”, Intermediate and Junior Football Championships spread out from Friday to Sunday.
Many of these are partly clashing and it just won't be possible for supporters to get to all the games they would like to see.
Senior “B” Football Championship quarter-finals
Cappincur v Walsh Island: Friday in Geashill at 7.30pm
Cappincur have been very good to date as they have emerged as one of the teams to beat. Bill Carroll has been in outstanding form for them and they are favourites against Walsh Island, who will always give their best but have an ageing team and have lost their three group games. It will be a surprise if Cappincur can't get the result.
Verdict – Cappincur.
Daingean v Ballycumber: Saturday in Durrow at 2pm
The form book certainly suggests that Daingean will be able to beat Ballycumber. Last year's intermediate champions have done very well to top their group with three wins and were very impressive against Clara the last day. It hasn't happened for Ballycumber yet as they have lost their three group games, yet they can't be ruled out in this one. Ballycumber have been senior “B” for a good few years now and generally perform in knockout games, even if it doesn't always bring a win. They won't fear Daingean and this game will test if the form book is an accurate guide.
Verdict – Daingean.
Clara v Tubber: Saturday in Ballycumber at 5.30pm
Clara's rating as championship favourites was put under scrutiny when they had a poor performance when losing their last group game to Daingean. That could have been the wake up call they needed but local rivals Tubber will test them. Tubber haven't performed at their best to date and a change of management in recent weeks suggests that they haven't been a happy club. They would love to take Clara down and with Bernard Allen capable of shooting the lights out, they will give it a go. Clara, however, are favourites.
Verdict – Clara.
Clonbullogue v Gracefield: Sunday in Bracknagh at 1pm
Clonbullogue and Gracefield could serve up one of the matches of the weekend. Clonbullogue are favourites but Gracefield will fancy their chances and a win for the border side would only be a small surprise. Clonbullogue are not the finished article and are well capable of bad days at the office but if they click, they are a genuinely exciting side to watch. There shouldn't be much in this one.
Verdict – Clonbullogue.
Intermediate Football Championship quarter-finals
St Brigid's v St Rynagh's: Friday in Tubber at 7.30pm
St Brigid's have played very well so far while St Rynagh's have struggled. It means that the Croghan side are warm favourites but the Cloghan men will compete well against them. It is a big ask, however, for Rynagh's to turn things around after three defeats while St Brigid's have three wins.
Verdict – St Brigid's.
Tullamore v Ferbane: Saturday in Pullough at 7.30pm
While we will steer clear of making them championship favourites at the moment, there is no doubt that Tullamore have the players to win this grade. They have improved and have a very steady team. Ferbane will test them to the full and this one should go down to the wire.
Verdict – Tullamore.
Raheen v Erin Rovers: Sunday in Clara at 1pm
The form in the groups suggest that Erin Rovers will win this but it is close to a 50-50 game. Erin Rovers topped their group with five points while Raheen have had a horrific campaign to date with three defeats out of three. That form suggests that Erin Rovers will win well but it is not that simple. Raheen were in the tougher of the two groups and are not as bad as the results suggest – they also changed managers in recent weeks. And they have Dylan Hyland in their attack! The Pullough men are favourites but an upset is very possible here.
Verdict – Raheen.
Ballinagar v Kilcormac-Killoughey: Sunday in Killeigh at 1pm
The meeting of Ballinagar and Kilcormac-Killoughey is one of the hardest to call this weekend. With players such as Morgan Tynan, Robbie Gallagher, Adam Strong and Geordi O'Meara, Ballinagar should be able to win but after an opening round win over Raheen, they have been quite poor and their confidence has been damaged. Hurling is the game in Kilcormac-Killoughey and there is no doubt that some of their hurling people wouldn't mind seeing this football team gone but it is no guarantee that they will get their wish. K-K will be fit and have no shortage of good footballers at their disposal. They won't have a fraction of the football work done that Ballinagar have and that makes the north Offaly side favourites but a K-K win would not be a surprise.
Verdict – Ballinagar.