Round two of the Galway senior football championship promises to be a big weekend for plenty of teams - those disappointed with their first-round results and others who want to kick on and guarantee their progress or safety as quickly as possible.
Group 1
Saturday 12: Pearse Stadium, 2.45pm, St James v Maigh Cuilinn; Kenny Park, 3.15pm, An Spideal v Milltown.
Sunday 13: Pearse Stadium, 2pm, Naomh Anna Leitir Mor v Annaghdown
St James had a superb win over Annaghdown in the opening round. Despite the low scoring game, they managed to contain Annaghdown to a single point in the second half to claw back the half-time deficit.
Few will expect the Jimmies to get anything out of this weekend’s game, but with their improved defensive structure, they will be able to keep it tight and force the best out of the reigning champions Maigh Cuilinn who will be eager to get a second win on the board, while coping with the absence of a number of players.
Milltown will be hoping a second win in a row can aid their push for a quarter-final spot, but An Spideal will be out to show that their 16-point loss to Maigh Cuilinn was just a one-off.
The last game in the group on Sunday involves two teams that suffered narrow losses in their opening games, and both know the importance of not falling into a losing habit in this competitive championship.
Group 2
Saturday 12: Pearse Stadium, 4.30pm Corofin v Killannin
Sunday 13: Pearse Stadium, 3.45pm, Barna v Oughterard; Tuam Stadium, 6pm Caherlistrane v Salthill/Knocknacarra
Corofin’s facile victory over Salthill on opening weekend puts them in pole position heading into round two against a strong Killannin side that managed a draw against division two champions Barna in the opening game.
With Johnny Heaney to the fore, scoring 1-03 of his sides 1-06, he will be marked closely, along with the Sweeney brothers.
Barna and Oughterard play out the second game, and both sides will be disappointed with their opening games despite neither losing. Barna drew with Killannin, and although Oughterard defeated Caherlistrane, the management team must be extremely disappointed with the concession of three late goals.
In the final game of the weekend, both Caherlistrane and Salthill/Knocknacarra will feel they have something to prove. In the opening 56 minutes of Caherlistrane’s game against Oughterard they managed just two points, while last year’s finalists Salthill/Knocknacarra failed to register a score from play against Corofin in the opening 47 minutes.
Group 3
Saturday 12:Kenny Park, 1.30pm, Mountbellew/Moylough v St Michael’s
Sunday 13: Tuam Stadium, 4.15pm, Tuam Stars v Claregalway
Dunmore get the bye this weekend, while Tuam Stars open their campaign against a Claregalway side that needs a reaction to a disappointing opening result.
Tuam’s last game was their league final loss to Corofin more than a month ago, so the players must be chomping at the bit to get going.
Mountbellew/Moylough and St Michael's both won their opening games, but the ease at which Mountbellew beat Claregalway without having to go into third gear should worry St Michael's, who just about got the best of newcomers Dunmore McHales.
The intermediate championship also throws in this weekend with Monivea/Abbey and An Ceathru Rua hoping for a quick-fire return to senior football.
Fixtures:
Group 1: Saturday 12, An Ceathru Rua v Glenamaddy, 1.30pm, The Prairie; Williamstown v St Brendan’s, 4.15pm Tuam Stadium
Group 2: Saturday 12, Monivea-Abbey v Clifden, 3pm, Oughterard. Sunday 13, Corofin v Caltra, 1pm Duggan Park
Group 3: Saturday 12, Michael Breathnach's v Cortoon Shamrocks, 2pm, Cregg. Kilconly v Kilkerrin/Clonberne, 6pm, Tuam Stadium
Group 4: Friday 11, Oileain Arann v Killererin, 7.15pm, Kenny Park; Sunday 13, Oranmore-Maree v St Gabriel's, 2.45pm Duggan Park
