Ten championship games are down for decision this weekend in the Claregalway Hotel Senior Football Championship.
Tuam Stadium is the place to be on Saturday with no fewer than three senior games scheduled - the first throw in is at 3.30pm and the last at 7pm.
The first game has Claregalway and their recent high profile signings James Nallen and David Heaney taking on Salthill-Knocknacarra in a very attractive fixture at 3.30pm.
Nallen and Heaney may be on the wrong side of 30, but they are still players with a lot to offer Claregalway. They are men with integrity and character well proven over the last 15 years or more with Mayo and most clubs would be delighted to get them on board.
Those two men, allied to the height and aerial power of David Hansbury and Barry Cullinane at midfield, should ensure Danny Cummins and company see plenty of possession in their forward line.
Salthill are in transition and the temptation is to go for a Claregalway victory in that tie.
That game is followed up by Barna v Caltra at 5pm and, with Michael Meehan still on the injury list, that game could be fairly close. Based on the past few championship seasons, you would still plug for a Caltra success.
Finally at 7pm Corofin take on Cortoon Shamrocks in a repeat of the 2008 county final. Former Clare senior football manager and Caltra manager Frank Doherty is in the hot seat with the Shamrocks for 2010 and he will have his lads well revved up for a cut off the county champions.
Corofin were beaten in the first round last year and it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that the same could happen this season.
St Michael’s v Moycullen in Pearse Stadium
There is a double header in Pearse Stadium on Saturday too, with Moycullen taking on St Michael’s at 5.30pm followed by Carraroe against Killanin at 7pm.
Seán O’Dea is in charge of Moycullen again this year and he will be hoping for a winning start. St Michael’s were beaten by Killererin in the first round of the league and they will need to improve on that performance if they are to avoid the championship back door.
Neither Carraroe nor Killanin have had good championships in the past few years, but Carraroe would be slight favourites to advance in that tie.
At Glenamaddy on Sunday at 2.30pm Kilkerrin/Clonberne are in action against St Brendan’s. This should be a keenly fought contest, but the Kilkerrin lads might be buoyed by their recent u-21 success and can advance.
In Pearse Stadium on Sunday there is also plenty of action with Caherlistrane taking on last year’s intermediate champions Leitir Mór at 2.30pm and Milltown facing Michael Breathnach’s at 4pm.
Finally on Sunday in an attractive double header at Tuam, Annaghdown face Tuam Stars at 5.30pm and, in what should be a cracking game, Mountbellew-Moylough face Killererin at 7pm.
There is never much between the Stars and Annaghdown and calling a winner in that one is a bit like guessing if your flight will take off next week. You can hope, but there are no guarantees.
I would have a slight fancy for Mountbellew-Moylough in the second game as they will be keen to build on last year’s run to the county final and Killererin have some injury worries.
Still, if the full-forward line of Padraig and Nicky Joyce and Micheál Boyle get enough supply, they will rack up the scores.
