2010 Championship Draws

2010 Championship Draws 

There was great excitement in the Bush Hotel last night as the draws for the Senior, Intermediate and Junior A Championships took place. This year, the Senior Championship is sponsored by Connacht Gold and Leitrim GAA is delighted to welcome them on board. GWP continue their association with Leitrim GAA and sponsor the Intermediate and Junior A Championships for the coming year.

The business end of the football season now commences for all clubs in the County and as ever supporters can look forward to some mouth watering encounters throughout our championship summer of 2010. The Junior A, Intermediate and Senior Championships all have 12 teams (4 groups with 3 teams in each).  The top two teams in each group will advance to the quarter final stages, while the losing team in each group will enter the relegationÓgroup.

Below we take a look at the three championship draws which can be viewed in PDF format elsewhere on this website.

Junior Championship

Of the 12 teams in the Junior A Championship, two of them are first string teams, eight are second string teams and two are third string teams. Groups 1 and 4 are made up of all 2nd string teams and with the standard so evenly matched we can expect evenly contested matches in these two groups. InÓgroup 3 Annaduffs 3rd string will compete against the 2nd string teams of Drumkerrin and Allen Gaels – a group that looks on paper too close to call. Certainly the group which generated the most excitement was Group 2 which consists of 1st string teams Leitrim Gaels and Eslin who of course were last years Junior A Championship beaten finalists. Add to the mix their neighbours St Marys and this group is sure to generate a lot of interest and excitement during the summer.

Intermediate Championship

The Intermediate Championship threw up some interesting ties also. It consists of nine first teams and three second string teams. You would have to strongly fancy a 1st team club to claim the Intermediate Championship since they can draw on all their player resources. The last 2nd string team to win the Intermediate Championship was Glencar Manorhamilton back in 2005.
Group 1 includes last years beaten finalists Aughawillan and the 2008 beaten finalists, Drumkeerin. Both teams have the potential to deliver but will face stiff opposition from a proud Annaduff outfit.
Group 2 sees a much fancied Gortletteragh paired against St Marys who always produce a strong second team and North Leitrims Ballinaglera who have real potential. This group looks too close to call. 
Group 3 is made up of all 1st teams in Fenagh-St Caillins, Aughnasheelin and Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher. This group is sure to produce some fantastic games and the two teams to advance will have certainly earned it.
Group 4 sees newly promoted Junior A Champions Aughavas battle against North Leitrim neightbours Glencar Manorhamilton and last years beaten semi-finalists Dromahair. This group could go down to the wire.

Senior Championship

In the Senior Championship, all teams will be hoping to put a stop to Glencar Manorhamiltons hopes of doing 3 in a row and the County Champions will have it all to do in the group stages as they were drawn with South Leitrim neighbours and rivals Allen Gaels and St Marys in Group 4 which was dubbed the Group of Death!

InÓgroup 1 Annaduff and Bornacoola will renew local rivalries as they were pitted against each other.  However, the neighbours wouldnt want to take their eye of the ball as Drumreilly could upset the odds by waiting in the long grass!

Group 2 will be an intensely contested group with Mohill, Melvin Gaels and Sean OHeslins. On past form all three teams will have realistic hopes of becoming 2010 County Champions so expect titanic battles in this group and call the two to advance if you dare!

Group 3 sees last years beaten Senior finalists Carrigallen paired against the 2009 Intermediate Champions Cloone and Championship specalists Kiltubrid. If Cloone can re-produce their 2009 form – they are sure to cause trouble for both Kiltubrid and Carrigallen.

While none of the teams will be looking past the group stages that doesnt stop you making your own predications on who you think will qualify from each of the groups! ThenÓgo a few steps further and check out the quarter and semi final pairings and make your predications on who will be crowned Senior, Intermediate and Junior A Champions for 2010.

Looking forward to the 2010 Leitrim Championships and the very best of luck to all our teams.

 

 

23-Mar-10 by Colette Fox – PRO