Championship Previews
CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEWS
It’s now or never in the Senior and Intermediate Championship as the final group games take place this weekend. It really is down to the wire as no less than seven of the eight weekend games are crunch ties with only the meeting of Drumkeerin and Glenfarne Kiltyclogher in the Intermediate set to decide top and second group placing. Elsewhere in the Junior A Championship it’s really hotting up with Round 2 taking place this weekend and three teams have to win to keep their championship hopes alive.Â
Take a look at the Championship Group Tables in the left hand feed (club competitions ââ club championship 2011) to see possible scenarios. Below we preview all the games.
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CONNACHT GOLD SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
Ballinamore SOH v Annaduff ââ Saturday at 6pm in Pairc Sean
Ballinamore SOH enter the game with a win under their belts in Round 1 over Drumreilly and then last weekend Drumreilly blew the group wide open when defeating a hotly fancied Annaduff side. Annaduff simply have to win and one wonders will they be able to perform given the amount of pressure they are under. Sean O’Heslin’s were impressive against Drumreilly but they will be acutely aware of the Annaduff challenge. It remains to be seen can Annaduff live up to their âÅgreat expectationsâ or can Ballinamore SOH do a âÅgood deedâ for their neighbours Drumreilly! Â
Carrigallen v Glencar Manorhamilton ââ Saturday at 7.30 in Pairc Sean
Carrigallen defeated Bornacoola in Round 1 and now face the County Champions Glencar Manorhamilton who were rocked last weekend by a one point defeat by the Bors. A one point win will be enough to see Glencar Manor through but a defeat or draw and they are gone. Carrigallen will be looking to avenge recent results against Manor and in doing so do a huge favour for Bornacoola who will be anxious observers. Will the champions get back to winning ways or will Carrigallen clear the way for the crowning of new champions in 2011?
St Mary’s v Allen Gaels ââ Saturday at 6pm in Ballinamore
Allen Gaels not only have to win this game but do so by four points to advance – a tall order against last years beaten county finalists! St Mary’s were less than impressive in their first round win against Kiltubrid while Allen Gaels will wonder why their performance levels slipped in the second half against Kiltubrid last weekend.  St Mary’s start as firm favourites and this will suit Allen Gaels down to the ground. If Allen Gaels turn up they are sure to trouble St Mary’s and derby matches often take on a life of their own ââ you decide who your money is on!Â
Aughawillan v Cloone ââ Saturday at 7.30 in Ballinamore
This game has a winner takes all outcome. A weakened Cloone side were demoralised last weekend by a heavy defeat at the hands of table toppers Mohill while Aughawillan were unlucky not to get something out of their first round game with Mohill. If Cloone welcome back some of their players they will be a different force. I suspect âÅReeling in the Yearsâ may provide some motivation for the two sides – The Intermediate Championship Final of 2009 saw Cloone defeat the Willies ââ a colossal encounter is in store again!
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GWP INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Drumkeerin v Glenfarne Kiltyclogher ââ Saturday at 6pm in Drumshanbo
Drumkeerin and Glenfarne Kiltyclogher have both qualified for the quarter finals courtesy of their victories over St Mary’s second string. This North Leitrim meeting will decide who tops the group and with that and pride at stake we would hope the contest is full of passion. Glenfarne Kiltyclogher have shown the better form and the fact they are competing in Division 1 should stand to them but Drumkeerin have the experience of contesting last years Intermediate Championship Final!
Ballinaglera v Gortletteragh ââ Saturday at 7.30pm in Drumshanbo
Another winner takes all encounter. Both teams were well defeated by Melvin Gaels and one wonders which team can recover in time. Neither team will care how they play, they won’t care if it is low Scóring or memorable ââ a win and a place in the quarter finals is all that will matter. A draw would be enough for Ballinaglera but that is perilous territory for them to even think likely. A serious contest is in store at the Drumshanbo venue!
Glencar Manorhamilton v Aughnasheelin ââ Sunday at 2pm in Pairc Sean
The winner of this encounter will join Eslin as group runners up. Both teams leaked goals against Eslin and one would imagine the team which can address this should advance. Even in defeat both teams have put up big scores so expect the same on Sunday ââ if the game ends in a draw ââ Glencar Manor will advance. At the quarter final stages last year Aughnasheelin defeated the Manor men ââ has history a habit of repeating itself?
Dromahair v Fenagh St Caillin’s ââ Sunday at 3.30 in Pairc Sean
Fenagh were unlucky last weekend to go down to Aughavas by a single point and this game was always billed as the crunch tie. Fenagh were left ruing Scóring opportunities the spurned and if they address their Scóring return they are sure to put it up to Dromahair. The North Leitrim men start as firm favourites based on their demolition of Aughavas in the opening group game and their Division 1 League status. This may not be Fenagh’s year but it won’t be long coming!
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JUNIOR A CHAMPIONSHIP
Allen Gaels v St Mary’s ââ Sunday at 11.30 in Ballinamore
Annaduff v Carrigallen ââ Sunday at 1pm in Ballinamore
Bornacoola v Melvin Gaels ââ Sunday at 12noon in Drumshanbo
Drumkeerin v Gortletteragh ââ Sunday at 1.30 in Drumshanbo
Last weekend in the Junior A Championship there were first round wins for Bornacoola, Ballinamore SOH, Mohill and Leitrim Gaels. Bornacoola are the only victorious team in action this weekend and they face Melvin Gaels who always have a strong second string team for this competition. Allen Gaels who were unlucky not to upset favourites Leitrim Gaels last weekend face their other neighbours St Mary’s. They have to win this derby game to keep their championship hopes alive. Drumkeerin suffering a heavy defeat last weekend and now meet Gortletteragh while Annaduff who were also defeated face Carrigallen. Both teams will have the benefit of a game under their belts but this might not be enough. With championship hopes at stake in three out of the four games ââ games full of passion are on the cards.
Support your team this weekend ââ it’s now or never!
05-Aug-11 by Colette Fox – PRO
