Round four of the Shay Murtagh SFC threw up a number of surprises last weekend. The two biggest surprises were undoubtedly Coralstown/Kinnegad’s victory over Athlone and Killucan’s 10 point winning margin over Maryland.
Athlone had won their opening three games and were expected by many to continue in that vein against a Kinnegad side that had yet to secure a win. Yet it was Jack Cooney’s men who showed the greater hunger and deservedly took the spoils. We in Athlone are disappointed with our lacklustre display and know a huge improvement will be needed in our final group outing against Killucan on August 15.
Maryland and Killucan was expected to be a close affair but Dermot Brady’s men ran out 2-13 to 0-9 winners. Paul Greville again underlined his class with a personal tally of 1-5. Killucan face Athlone in their final game where the winner will secure a semi-final spot with the loser into the quarter-final. Maryland face a tough final group outing against neighbours Tubberclare to secure the third qualifying spot.
St Loman’s and Tubberclare played out a 1-9 to 2-6 draw. Last year’s beaten finalists next face an improving Kinnegad side in Cusack Park on Sunday August 15. What a dogfight that promises to be.
Tyrrellspass had too much firepower for St Malachy’s running out 1-15 to 0-9 winners. Malachy’s look set to be in relegation trouble while Tyrrellspass can still technically qualify. They need to beat Castledaly in their final game and hope St Malachy’s beat The Downs.
Mullingar Shamrocks got the better of The Downs. They now face Garrycastle in Cusack Park on August 14 to see who takes the direct route to the semi-final. The Downs are still in the hunt for a qualifying spot and will fancy their chances against Castledaly in their final outing.
Meanwhile west of the Shannon, St Brigid’s and Padraig Pearses go head to head in Kiltoom this Saturday at 7pm in a winner takes all encounter. Both sides have already lost to Castlerea. The home side will be slight favourites but with Ger Aherne suspended and Mark O’Carroll, Garvan Dolan, and David O’Connor ruled out through injury the Woodmount outfit are not without their chance. It should be a cracker.
