The county senior football championship really heats up this weekend, and the last eight teams that can win the Frank Fox Cup in 2014 are all in action on either Saturday and Sunday.
First up on Saturday afternoon in Corofin are Barna and Caherlistrane (3.15pm ).
The Queally men had a good win over Tuam Stars by three points in the preliminary quarter-final after extra-time two weeks ago and are 4/11 to advance at the expense of Pat Fallon’s men, who are big outsiders at 11/4.
However, Barna have some very talented youngsters in their ranks and they will see this game as a massive opportunity to really put their mark on the championship.
Young Jason Lyons has been doing very well up front from frees and play and it will be interesting to see if he can maintain that form against the likes of Caherlistrane's Rory Glynn who is a very good defender.
Barna also have good players in Paddy Naughton, James Kennedy, Paddy Kennedy, Ray Conneely and Kieran Hanley.
Also on Saturday at Tuam Stadium are Annaghdown and St Michael’s at 4.15pm.
The Annaghdown men are strong favourites to advance and Mulholland’s have them at 4/7 with the city men available at 7/4.
Annaghdown had good wins over Leitir Mór and An Cheathrú Rua to get to this stage and they also scored five goals in those two games so St Michael’s will have to be very alert to stop any more green flags being raised.
St Michael’s have been going well too and the likes of Alan Glynn, Greg Rogan and Eddie Hoare are very impressive performers. I do not see too much between the sides in that tie.
That game is followed by John Concannon’s Milltown and Seán Armstrong’s Salthill-Knocknacarra at 6pm in a very attractive fixture.
Milltown have been moving well to date in the championship, and in the likes of Mark Hehir and Michael Martin, they have two genuine scoring forwards.
James Kavanagh has been out injured for a few weeks and it will be interesting to see if he can make an appearance for his adopted club.
Salthill had a solid win over Na Breathnaigh the last day out and scored 3-10 in the process, and they will want to continue that good form.
They will need Gary Cox, Seán Armstrong and Seamie Crowe to be at their best if the “Scans” are to be sent home defeated.
It is a very tough game to call and Milltown are slight favourites to advance at 4/5. They did well to defeat St James by a point in their last championship game and no doubt John Concannon and team trainer Martin McNamara will have them well revved up for the encounter.
However, they have not been in championship action for a long time now and that conveys an advantage to the Seasiders.
The final senior quarter-final is on Sunday in Tuam Stadium at 1.45pm and it sees Corofin take on Mountbellew-Moylough who they defeated easily in the first round.
Val Daly’s side will no doubt turn up to really make a battle of things, and it is never easy to defeat the same team twice in championship. However, it is impossible not to predict a Corofin win if Micheal Lundy, Gary Sice, Michael Farragher, Ronan Steede and Justin Burke are at full throttle.
•The Intermediate Championship replay between An Spideal and Monivea-Abbey is on Saturday in Corofin at 5.00
