Championship – Weekend preview – Crunch time

Its crunch time in the Intermediate and Senior championships this weekend as the group stages come to a close and so many quarter final places to fight for. In the Intermediate section 2 places are confirmed as Cloone and Aughawillan are through. InÓgroup 4 Glenfarne/Kilty are guaranteed a place but this weekends remaining fixture will decide their placing. Gortletteragh look healthy inÓgroup 1 but this group have 1 game outstanding after this weekend so it may not be clear until next weekend.

Tomorrow, Saturday, 3 of the 4 games are scheduled starting at 5 pm in Drumshanbo with the clash of Drumkeerin and Dromahair. Both teams lost to group toppers Glenfarne/Kilty and have it all to do in this close encounter. Annadufff take onÓgortletteragh at 5:45pm in Carrick and Gort have 1 win under their belt and will be gunning to top their group after this weekend. Back in Drumshanbo at 6:30pm its the turn of Fenagh St Caillins and Ballinaglera in a survival battle of group 3. The final game of the weekend will be played on Sunday at 4:30pm in Ballinamore as Allen Gaels and St Marys fight for the last place inÓgroup 2. Only 1 more game remains in the group stages which will be played the following weekend.

In the Senior campaign its very very tight as only Kiltubrid are sure of their place in the next stage as are GlencarManor. All other places are up for grabs and its going to be very interesting to see who makes the progression to quarters or who ends up in the relegation zone.

Tomorrow at 5:45pm in Cloone its Drumreilly who will meet neighbours Ballinamore Sean O Heslins in a cracking encounter in the Senior section. Both of these teams need to win to guarantee a place but a draw will favour Ballinamore on score difference. This will be followed by Aughnasheelin and Bornacoola at 7:15pm in the same venue where Carrigallen followers will be watching in ernst to see if they have done enough to get through.

At the same time in Páirc Seán St Marys and Mohill will catch the interest of many to see who will survive the group of death. If Mohill win they will bring Annaduff through on 2nd place. If St Marys win then it will be down to score difference and Marys will be through as they have a better score difference than Annaduff. Mohill must watch the score difference also as they could be in trouble, its possible that score difference may determine 1st and 2nd placings.

The final game of the group stages is on Sunday evening at 6pm in Páirc Seán with the northern clash of last years league winners and last years championship winners meet in the Group 1 decider. Allen Gaels will look on nervously as their tentative position will be determined by the 2 forces on the field. A win or draw for Melvin Gaels and a draw for Glencar/Manor guarantees both of them a place in the quarters but a loss for Melvin Gaels will open the door for Allen Gaels and score differences will determine who goes through the door.

The Junior A competition continues at round 2 stage and games commence on Sunday at 4:30pm in Carrick as Drumkeerin meet Leitrim Gaels and Carrigallen face Mohill at the same time in Cloone. The final games are at 6pm with Bornacoola and St Maryss in Ballinamore and Eslin v Kiltubrid in Cloone. Carrigallen, Aughavas and Gortletteragh lead the way and Bornacoola and Melvin Gaels shared the spoils from last weekend.

The Junior B campaign will commence next weekend and the fixtures will be announced here as soon as they are known.

 

 

07-Aug-09 by Brendan Doyle – PRO