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. 

Take a look at the Championship Group Tables in the left hand feed (club competitions â€â€œ club championship 2011) to see possible scenarios.  Below we preview all the games.

 

CONNACHT GOLD SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Ballinamore SOH v Annaduff â€â€œ 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 â€Å“great expectationsâ€Â or can Ballinamore SOH do a â€Å“good deedâ€Â for their neighbours Drumreilly!  

Carrigallen v Glencar Manorhamilton â€â€œ 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 â€â€œ 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 â€â€œ you decide who your money is on! 

Aughawillan v Cloone â€â€œ 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 â€Å“Reeling in the Yearsâ€Â may provide some motivation for the two sides – The Intermediate Championship Final of 2009 saw Cloone defeat the Willies â€â€œ a colossal encounter is in store again!

 

GWP INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Drumkeerin v Glenfarne Kiltyclogher â€â€œ 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 â€â€œ 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 â€â€œ 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 â€â€œ 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 â€â€œ if the game ends in a draw â€â€œ Glencar Manor will advance.  At the quarter final stages last year Aughnasheelin defeated the Manor men â€â€œ has history a habit of repeating itself?

Dromahair v Fenagh St Caillin’s â€â€œ 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!

 

JUNIOR A CHAMPIONSHIP

Allen Gaels v St Mary’s â€â€œ Sunday at 11.30 in Ballinamore

Annaduff v Carrigallen â€â€œ Sunday at 1pm in Ballinamore

Bornacoola v Melvin Gaels â€â€œ Sunday at 12noon in Drumshanbo

Drumkeerin v Gortletteragh â€â€œ 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 â€â€œ games full of passion are on the cards.

Support your team this weekend â€â€œ it’s now or never!

05-Aug-11 by Colette Fox – PRO

Connacht Gold Senior Championship

Bornacoola provided one of the shock results of the weekend when defeating the reigning champions Glencar Manorhamilton in a close encounter in Pairc Sean on Saturday evening.  The Bors were full value for their one point victory (0-14 to 0-13) and for Manor to survive they must now beat Carrigallen this weekend and if that happens Scóring difference will decide the quarter finalists from this group with the 3 teams on a win apiece.  Of course a Carrigallen win or draw will dump Glencar Manor out of the championship.  Kiltubrid defeated Allen Gaels in the second game at the county grounds and they will be anxiously awaiting the result of the Allen Gaels v St Mary’s game this weekend (a St Mary’s win will ensure Kiltubrid’s passage to the quarter finals while an Allen Gaels win and Scóring averages again will decide the placings).

At the Ballinamore venue on Saturday evening Mohill were the only team to secure their place in the quarter finals in Round 2 by comfortably defeating Cloone.  Aughawillan and Cloone will go head to head next weekend to decide who will join them in the quarter finals.  In the other group game Drumreilly had a massive one point win over a shocked Annaduff side.  Drumreilly will be hoping that their neighbours Ballinamore SOH beat Annaduff next weekend – a result which would see them through to the quarters finals and Annaduff facing a relegation battle.  On the other hand an Annaduff win and Scóring averages will again be decisive.  An interesting weekend is in store all round! 

GWP Intermediate Championship

In the Intermediate championship – Eslin, Melvin Gaels, Drumkeerin and Glenfarne Kiltyclogher have all secured their places in the quarter finals.  Glencar Manor and Aughnasheelin meet next weekend to decide who will join Eslin as group runners up while Gortletteragh and Ballinaglera do likewise in the Melvin Gaels group.  Glenfarne Kiltyclogher secured their place in the quarter finals by defeating St Mary’s second string.  This result put St Mary’s into relegation battle.  Next weekend Drumkeerin and Glenfarne Kiltyclogher meet and the result will decide first and second group placings.  Aughavas defeated Fenagh by the minimum in the last group game and next weekend Fenagh will be hoping to upset the odds by defeating Dromahair in their last group game. 

Junior A Championship

In the Junior A Championship there were first round wins for Leitrim Gaels, Bornacoola, Ballinamore SOH and Mohill.  This sets up these teams nicely approaching Round 2 of the championship which takes place next weekend.

Championship tables can be viewed on the left hand feed (club competitions – club championships 11)

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Coiste Chontae Liatroma wish James Gilmartin (Glencar Manorhamilton) get well wishes after he sustained a broken leg during the Glencar Manorhamilton v Bornacoola Senior Championship match on Saturday evening in Pairc Sean.  We must take this opportunity to compliment the quick actions of the players and officials and thank the many medical personnel who attended to James both on and off the field of play.  Glad to report James is recovering well after surgery in SGH.  

01-Aug-11 by Colette Fox – PRO

CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEWS.

Our Junior A Championship kicks off this weekend while in the Senior and Intermediate Championship it’s “seconds out – Round 2”. 

It’s really hotting up after Round 1 of the Senior and Intermediate Championship.  Five teams will be facing into relegation battle if they are defeated this weekend and even a win might not be enough for some as Scóring averages look more and more likely to become the decisive factor.  Below we take a look at the Round 2 games.

CONNACHT GOLD SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 2

Bornacoola v Glencar Manorhamilton – Saturday at 6pm in Pairc Sean

A must winÓgame for the Bors who were desperately unlucky last weekend not to beat Carrigallen in their first round game – the concession of goals cost them dearly.  They will have to be at their best to account for the county champions this weekend.  Manor start as firm favourites but they won’t have it all their own way as the game is “all or nothing” for Bornacoola.

Kiltubrid v Allen Gaels – Saturday at 7.30 in Pairc Sean

This derby game was forecast as the key game in the group and that is exactly as it has turned out.  Kiltubrid are on the back foot after their defeat at the hands of neighbours St Mary’s last weekend.  They are now a wounded animal and this could bring out the best in them.  On the other hand, Allen Gaels will be anxious to record victory with St Mary’s next up for them.  The tempo of this game is sure to set hearts racing!

Drumreilly v Annaduff – Saturday at 6pm in Ballinamore

Drumreilly have a mountain to climb in this game after being handed a 7 point defeat last weekend.  They simply have to win.  They have the benefit of the game under their belts and with their youngsters so impressive last weekend I suspect Annaduff are not taking this game lightly.  If Annaduff arrive in focussed mood they are going to be difficult to beat but with so much at stake for Drumreilly they won’t be found wanting in a contest of this magnitude!  

Mohill v Cloone – Saturday at 7.30pm in Ballinamore

Last weekend Mohill were made fight all the way for their win by a spirited Aughawillan side.  A goal six minutes from time effectively decided that contest.  If Cloone are to be successful in this tie they will need to replicate Aughawillan’s spirit -something which they are more than capable of doing.  This is another derby match and it remains to be seen if the underdogs can upset the favourites!   

GWP INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 2

St Mary’s v Glenfarne Kiltyclogher – Sunday at 2pm in Drumshanbo

St Mary’s enter the game on the back of a nine point defeat against Drumkeerin last weekend however the scoreline is unkind to their performance on the day.  Glenfarne Kiltyclogher enter the championship with confidence having recently beaten St Mary’s first team in the Division 1 league.  They have a mixture of experience and young talent in their ranks and if their minds are concentrated on a St Mary’s side who must win one feels they will be hard to stop.

Eslin v Glencar Manorhamilton – Sunday at 2pm in Pairc Sean

Eslin put on a master class last weekend when they defeated Aughnasheelin and in doing so they have sent out a real message of intent.  Glencar Manorhamilton’s second string have been forewarned and they will certainly need to be at their best to live with a talented Eslin side. The North Leitrim men recently defeated them in the league but it remains to be seen who will be available to them with their seniors in action on Saturday evening. 

Melvin Gaels v Gortletteragh – Sunday at 3.30pm in Pairc Sean

Last weekend Melvin Gaels showed in bucket loads why they are hot favourites to lift the title.  Gortletteragh make their debut this weekend and no doubt they were interested and exploratory observers at the first round match.  If they have learned from their observations then they could trouble the Gaels.  The prospect of a “do or die” last round game against Ballinaglera should provide Gortletteragh with plenty of motivation. 

Aughavas v Fenagh – Saturday at 7.00pm in Cloone

Aughavas suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Dromhair last weekend and the question is can they recover in time?  They will have the advantage of the game under their belts but having to record a substantial victory is an added pressure.  Fenagh are a team in transition and they will have a lot of young talented players on show.  It is widely expected that the winner of this tie will join Dromhair in the quarter finals – so expect a titanic battle. 

GWP JUNIOR A CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 1

Leitrim Gaels v Allen Gaels (Sunday at 12noon in Cloone)

Ballinamore SOH v Annaduff (Sunday at 1.30 in Cloone)

Mohill v Drumkeerin (Sunday at 1.30 in Fenagh)

Kiltubrid v |Bornacoola (Sunday at 3pm in Fenagh)

Leitrim Gaels are the only first string team in the Junior A Championship and this clearly sets them out as the team to beat.  They were beaten in the final last year and are surely intent on making amends.  There are however a number of strong second string teams that will test them along the way.  All teams will be anxious to record first round victories as it will ease the pressure and build momentum going forward.  This competition is sure to be as competitive as ever and will provide us with a few shocks along the way.

GET BEHIND YOUR TEAM THIS WEEKEND!

28-Jul-11 by Colette Fox – PRO