Sixteen senior teams are in action this weekend to decide which will advance to the quarter-finals of the senior championship.
All the games will be played in either Pearse Stadium or Tuam Stadium and are down for decision on Saturday and Sunday.
Pearse Stadium games
Micheal Breathnach v Corofin
5.30pm (Sat )
Pearse Stadium
Na Breathnaigh defeated Corofin easily last season in the first round of the championship and Gerry Keane’s side will know they face a really tough game this Saturday too.
There was very little between the teams when they played in the league earlier in the season and, in the likes of Petie Kenny, Peadar Ó Gríofa and Fiach Ó Bearra, the Connemara outfit have scoring forwards. Corofin will be expected to advance, but no more than Roscommon last Sunday, they are ideally set up for an ambush and at 4/1 they represent value for money.
Ml Breathnach 4/1, Corofin 1/5 and the draw is 8/1.
Moycullen v Leitir-Móir
7.15pm (Sat )
Pearse Stadium
This has the makings of a top-class tie. Moycullen’s Mark Lydon is back in good form around the middle and, with the likes of Paul Clancy (back from retirement ), Gareth Bradshaw, Gearoid Clancy and Philip Lydon, there will be plenty of quality on show in their side.
Leitir-Móir came up from intermediate last year and they will be looking to the likes of Fiachra and Ferdia Breathnach, Patrick Mark Ó Fatharta, Peatsí Seoighe and Toto Griffin to power their charge for the last eight.
Sean O’Dea’s men should have the slight edge in experience and can advance.
Moycullen are 4/9, with Leitir-Móir at 2/1.
The other games at Pearse Stadium are on Sunday with Barna taking on Tuam Stars at 1pm and Mountbellew/Moylough taking on Killanin at 2.30pm.
The expected victors in those ties are Tuam and last year’s beaten county finalists Mountbellew. If you disagree, you should have a small punt as Barna are big outsiders at 10/3 and Killanin are available at 4/1.
Tuam Stadium games
On Saturday at 5.30pm Kilkeerin/Clonberne face Tuam in a game that Mick Curley’s team will be expected to win and at 7.15pm, Caltra take on Caherlistrane.
Caltra are favourites to advance there, but without their ace marksman Michael Meehan, there will be very little between the sides. Do not rule out a win for Pete Warren’s side.
Milltown v Claregalway
5.30pm (Sun )
Tuam Stadium
Milltown have been impressive enough thus far in the championship, which is more than can be said for the Claregalway men.
They did beat Cortoon 1-07 to 1-03 the last day out but they will have to improve their accuracy (they shot 17 wides in that tie ) if they are to take out Milltown. Claregalway have been far too dependent on Danny Cummins for scores and Milltown will know that he has to be curtailed if they are to advance.
Killererin v Salthill
7pm (Sun )
Tuam Stadium
For many this is the tie of the round and the “auld enemies” should provide sufficient attraction for a few neutrals to come along too. Killererin, as usual, will look to Padraic Joyce to provide their cutting thrust up front and it will interesting to see if he can continue his fine run of form. Of course the secret to stopping Padraic is to cut off the supply and in that regard team manager Tommy Joyce must be kept on the back foot.
Salthill will look to the likes of Seán Armstrong and their u-21 captain Seán Gavin to lead the way, but they may find the wily Killererin hard to stop.
Killererin are favourites at 4/6 with the seasiders at 11/8.
