With the games arriving thick and fast the Galway SHC is entering a crucial stage, and clubs throughout the county will be eager to land crucial victories next weekend.
Group A is proving to be tight and hard fought so there is no shortage of importance about the two matches scheduled. Surprisingly Craughwell have yet to register following narrow defeats to Sarsfields and Mullagh so their need is great when they meet St Thomas, who drew their only match so far.
Armed with three points Mullagh’s battle with a Gort outfit that trounced Sarsfields should be lively at Loughrea on Sunday afternoon.
In Group B Beagh will fancy themselves to maintain their effective start to the campaign when colliding with Turloughmore at Athenry on Saturday evening. Triumphs over Athenry and Tommie Larkins leave Beagh in a healthy position, and Turlough require a positive result as their only fixture was a demoralising loss to Larkins, who have the unenviable task of Portumna at Killimor on Sunday.
There will not be any shortage of bite in the Group C clash between Kiltormer and Kinvara at Loughrea. Kinvara shaded their opening day battle with Cappatagle, while Kiltormer showed signs of improvement against the same opposition last time out having being crushed by Clarinbridge initially.
In Group D a double header at Kenny Park on Sunday evening will reveal much about how that pool will take shape as Carnmore, Castlegar, Ardrahan, and Loughrea all have enough ability to claim a scalp or two as the year evolves.
Fixtures: Saturday, Group A, Craughwell v St Thomas (Athenry 6.30pm ); Group B, Beagh v Turloughmore (Athenry 5pm ). Sunday, Group A, Mullagh v Gort (Loughrea 1.30pm ); Group B, Tommie Larkins v Portumna (Killimor 3.30pm ); Group C, Kiltormer v Kinvara (Loughrea 3pm ); Group D, Carnmore v Castlebar (Athenry 5pm ); Ardraham v Loughrea (Athenry 6.30pm ).
