Weekend Previews

The senior football season is shaping up to be one where Aidan McAnespies look like locking up one of the two semi-final places. Second place is wide open with the Connemara Gaels, Wolfe Tones, Donegal, and Christopher’s having a chance of avoiding a quarter final. With one less game played, the Tones probably have the best chance of making the number two spot at the end of the season. The Tones play Cork on Saturday at 5:00. Cork have been competitive this season, but have just not had enough to better the teams they have faced this season. The Tones are looking strong this year and should take the points against the rebels. Solid in midfield and with a talented forward line for Cork to deal with the Tones could well be sitting in second place with 9 points on Saturday evening.


There are some important games Sunday. The Gaels and Mayo clash at 2:30 and Christopher’s and Galway meet at 5:00. Mayo are sitting just outside the top 6 and need to win to keep in the hunt for a quarter-final place. The Gaels are hoping that a win would keep them in second place – albeit with one more game played than the Tones. A hard game to call given that Mayo have put in some excellent performances this year, and the Gaels have done likewise. If the Gaels can maintain concentration for the hour I’d expect a win for the Connemara men. It is a similar situation with Christopher’s and Galway. Galway need to win to keep in with a top 6 chance, and Christopher’s have an outside shot at second. Again, a hard game to call. Galway have a well balanced team with some excellent forwards. Christopher’s are very strong in areas, notably up front with Kevin and Colm O’Driscoll and Shane Beston terrorizing defences. Should be a close game, though I might give the nod to Galway. Andrew Shore could give them an edge in midfield, while scores could come from any of the five forwards – Kevin Cummins, James Carroll, Jamie Keogh, Danny Reddin, and possibly a returning Gearoid O’Connor the Galway front 5 will be hard to hold.  Armagh-Notre Dame and Kerry meet at 1:15 in a game that could go either way.  Each team could make the intermediate final which will be played between the 7th and 8th placed teams.

The second half of the senior hurling championship begins with an exciting senior hurling game on the cards at 3:45.  Galway take on Tipperary. Galway desperately need the win to stay in with a chance of making the playoffs next month. Galway were pipped last week by Fr. Tom Burke’s so the tribesmen are close to getting that first championship win. The forward line will need to turn it up a notch to turn Tipp. Tipperary’s only win so far is against their opponents on Sunday, Galway will be doing their best to make sure it is not 2 for 2.