Due to Galway’s much-anticipated participation in the All-Ireland senior camogie final in Croke Park on Sunday, the senior club matches will be taking place on Friday evening and Saturday only, with reigning champions Loughrea expected to kick off proceedings in Group 2 with a win when they take on Kilconieron in Ballinasloe.
Craughwell and Killimordaly will both be looking to get off to a flyer in the same group when they lock horns in Loughrea on Saturday afternoon where a close encounter is expected. One of the weekend’s most eye-catching fixtures, though, is the meeting of Gort and St Thomas’ in Group 1 on Friday in Kilbeacanty.
A late, late goal saw St Thomas’ edge out their rivals in last year’s group stages and a similarly tight contest could well unfold. Elsewhere in that group Athenry will be looking to begin their return to the top flight with a victory over Maigh Cuilinn in Pearse Stadium on Saturday.
Both of the Group 3 fixtures form an interesting double header in Kenny Park, Athenry on Saturday as Ardrahan and Castlegar, trained by an Ardrahan native, meet first at 5pm before two heavyweights go head-to-head when Turloughmore and Clarinbridge throws in at 6.45pm. These two clubs have been on the doorstep of a county title in recent years without making the leap and a fiery clash is predicted.
Group 4 is arguably the toughest group of them all with four teams who harbour genuine ambitions to go far in the competition battling for the three qualification spots. Oranmore-Maree have a chance for revenge against Sarsfields, who pulled a rabbit out the hat in the last round to knock them into a relegation battle last year, on Friday evening in Athenry. On Saturday, Cappataggle and Tommy Larkins will likely be a high scoring affair in Duggan Park, with the winner sure to be made favourite to top the group.
The two Senior B groups both get underway on Saturday with Ballinderreen taking on Liam Mellows in Group 1 in Pearse Stadium, while the clash of Tynagh Abbey/Duniry and Kilnadeema-Leitrim takes place in Gort. Group 2 sees Portumna and Ahascragh-Fohenagh get their campaigns underway with a match in Duggan Park, while Mullagh are predicted to emerge victorious from their opening game against Padraig Pearses in Loughrea.
All four of the Intermediate groups also get up and running over the weekend, with Beagh eager to make a swift return to the senior ranks but that will be easier said than done. Regular contenders Kinvara, Killimor, and Meelick-Eyrecourt will have their say, with the latter facing into a very competitive Group 1 alongside Sylane, Skehana/Mountbellew/Moylough and Athenry.
Beagh get their campaign underway with a trip to Gort to take on Kilbeacanty on Saturday afternoon, while another notable fixture sees Carnmore and Killimor do battle in Pearse Stadium on Sunday.
