The recent easing of restrictions by the Government will allow larger crowds to attend this weekend’s Claregalway Hotel Senior Football Championship fixtures, adding to the atmosphere that is fast building after the opening weekend.
The one deferred game, Caherlistrane versus Salthill-Knocknacarra, took place on Friday evening. The original fixture was postponed due to a bereavement within the community of Caherlistrane, and Larry Bane’s team did themselves proud with a spirited performance that overcame the Seasiders. In what was an emotional outing for them, they ran out 0-17 to 1-11 victors.
An excellent John Maher goal had Salthill-Knocknacarra in the ascendancy at half-time on a scoreline of 1-08 to 0-08, but Caherlistrane reappeared in the second half with all guns blazing. They outscored their opponents by 0-09 to 0-03 with an an emphatic display.
Oisin O’Brien and Cein Darcy were at the centre of everything good, and on this showing, Larry Bane’s men will take some marking in their upcoming games. It may have been a shock result to some, but it had echoes of Caherlistrane’s unlikely opening round win over Tuam Stars last season.
Next up for Caherlistrane is Kevin O’Brien’s Corofin charges, Saturday in Tuam Stadium at 3pm. The dethroned Corofin will be aware their opponents hold no fear and will provide a stiff challenge in what is a local derby.
Anthony Finnerty’s Salthill-Knocknacarra will look to recover from their first round defeat when they meet Monivea-Abbey. A win is absolutely crucial for their hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals, the game throws in at 5pm in Kenny Park on Saturday.
Monivea-Abbey will be desperate to put points on the board, but look likely to be without their star man Cillian McDaid who reportedly has a broken arm.
The final fixture of the combined groups four and five is between Barna and Oughterard in Pearse Stadium at 4.45pm on Saturday. An Oughterard win will give them a serious chance of making the quarter-final following their previous win over Monivea-Abbey. However, the neutral might like a Barna victory as it would blow the group wide open heading into the final round of fixtures in a fortnight’s time.
Killanin in driving seat
The second round fixtures in group one will see St James’ face Cortoon Shamrocks in Kenny Park on Saturday at 2.30pm, while Killanin and Tuam Stars do battle in Pearse Stadium on Sunday at 4pm.
Killanin are in the driving seat in the group following their opening round win over Cortoon and will be hoping for a repeat of their league semi-final win over Tuam Stars.
St James’ will have gained confidence from the way they came back against Tuam Stars when they take on Cortoon Shamrocks, and another two points on the board could go a long way to securing a quarter-final place.
Pearse Stadium hosts group two’s first game this Saturday at 3pm when St Michael’s face An Spidéal.
The Connemara side would be wise to be wary of a St Michael’s backlash as they would have hope to have given Mountbellew-Moylough a better run for their money in their previous match.
The other game in group two takes place between Mountbellew-Moylough and Milltown later that day at 5.30pm in Tuam Stadium. The Milltown men will have the bit between their teeth following their last gasp defeat at the hands of An Spidéal.
Finally, the fixtures in group three provide the meeting between Claregalway and An Cheathrú Rua at 3.30pm on Saturday in the Prairie, while what appears to be the fixture of the weekend takes place in Pearse Stadium at 2.15pm on Sunday where Annaghdown and champions Moycullen collide.
