The Galway senior football championship is hotting up as it enters the quarterfinal stage this weekend. And, in the first of many seasons, the race for Frank Fox is wide open, especially the manner in which the draw for the last eight fell. There are some mouthwatering ties this weekend and the pick of the bunch begins with the double header in Tuam Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Salthill-Knocknacarra v Tuam Stars
John O’Mahony’s Salthill-Knocknacarra have impressed in the championship to date and their drubbing of An Cheathrú Rua ensured they qualified from the group stages as top seeds - a fair reflection of their excellent form.
Rob Finnerty and Tomo Culhane have been in superb form up front, while being ably assisted by John Maher, Donie Hunt, Cathal Sweeney and Daniel O’Flaherty, who do Trojan work around the middle of the park. They face a Tuam Stars side that will be buoyed by a performance against Corofin where they were extremely unlucky not to come away with a victory.
Kevin Reidy’s team showed more of what we have become used to seeing with Tuam Stars over the past couple of seasons against Corofin, and it will require a performance of a similar level if they are to overcome the seasiders.
Mountbellew-Moylough v Corofin
Undoubtedly the fixture of the weekend, these two names just jump off the page. Playing each other in championship football for the ninth year in succession, they are familiar foes, and this is a repeat of last year’s final when Mountbellew-Moylough finally lifted the Frank Fox.
For the first time in a long time, Corofin enter a championship game as underdogs. One cannot help but think it is a position they may well relish. However, they will have to contend with a firing Mountbellew-Moylough who have three of the best club forwards in the county with their inside line of Eoin Finnerty, Barry McHugh and Patrick Kelly. For Corofin to stand any chance of victory, that trio will have to be kept under wraps which is near an impossible task.
St Michael’s v Annaghdown
Annaghdown are in the last eight by the skin of their teeth. They needed an 12-point win over Barna in the final group game and they got it with the last kick of the game from a James Healy ’45.
No disrespect to St Michael’s, but Annaghdown will be delighted with the draw and fancy their chances of getting into the last four. However the same could be said about St Michael’s, who avoided Corofin and Tuam Stars.
Both teams will see it as a huge opportunity which must be grabbed. St Michael’s form must not be discounted as they are four wins from five in the championship to date.
Moycullen v Claregalway
Moycullen are many people’s favourites to lift the Frank Fox this year, and this sentiment will be further enhanced given either Corofin or Mountbellew-Moylough will be gone after this weekend. Don Connellan’s side, however, will be well aware of the task ahead.
Although Claregalway have displayed many inconsistencies over the course of the championship, they boast a talented and youthful team that can be a match for any opposition in the county on the day. If Claregalway are to cause an upset, they will need more individuals to chip in with scores as there is heavy reliance on young Nathan Granger up front.
Fixtures: Quarter-finals, Tuam Stars v Salthill-Knocknacarra, Saturday 2.30pm Tuam Stadium; Mountbellew-Moylough vs Corofin, Saturday 4.15pm Tuam Stadium; St Michael's v Annaghdown, Sunday Oct 2.15pm Pearse Stadium; Moycullen v Claregalway, Sunday 4pm Pearse Stadium. Relegation, An Spidéal v St James’, Saturday 1.15pm Pearse Stadium; Caherlistrane v Monivea-Abbey, Sunday 1pm Corofin.
