Fresh from winning this year’s Westmeath intermediate title Bunbrosna begin their provincial campaign with an away game to Offaly champions St Rynagh’s this Sunday. Having to travel into the lions’ den certainly makes this a lot more tricky for the Westmeath side but they still should emerge on top. Bunbrosna have been operating in division one of the league and were in contention to win it before losing to Tyrrellspass by a point last week.
Centre-back Simon Moorehead will be unavailable having travelled to Australia. However Bun welcome back Padraig Walsh to the fold as he has returned from the land down under. Walsh missed all of their county championship campaign but will likely team up with Aidan Finnan to form a formidable midfield partnership.
Up front the Westmeath men will be looking to the likes of Peter Tormey, Andrew Whitney, and Finian Newman for leadership.
The Offaly men made the headlines last week when Ger Rafferty interrupted his wedding day to play the county final. He will be available again at centre-back with his brother James at full-back. Up front Paudie Mulhare and Niall Wynne will take plenty of watching by the Bunbrosna defence.
Last year Tubberclair made it to the Leinster final and I believe with a little luck Bunbrosna have the potential to do likewise. Offaly teams are never easily beaten and while Bunbrosna are unlikely to have it all their own way they should clear their first hurdle. A win would set up a quarter-final meeting with Nobber (Meath ) who recently featured in Celebrity Bainisteoir.
