After the disappointment of seeing the Galway seniors crash out of the Connacht championship last weekend to Sligo, it is back to club activity for players and supporters this weekend.
Several qualifier fixtures in the Claregalway Hotel and Bon Secours Hospital Galway Senior Championship have been arranged for this weekend, starting on Saturday when Maigh Cuilinn take on St Michael’s at Pearse Stadium (7.30pm ).
Maigh Cuilinn were defeated by Milltown in the first round, while St Michael’s went down heavily to Salthill in their first outing. Based on their respective displays in the first round, it is hard to look past Martin Cooke’s side and it will be a Maigh Cuilinn win for me.
Pearse Stadium then boasts a double-header on Sunday with Tuam stars taking on Killanin (3.45pm ). Tuam will be fancied to advance against a Killanin side that has struggled badly in the past year or two. Missing a host of players from last year’s panel, Killanin were well beaten by St James in the first round, and they are likely to struggle to stay in the senior ranks this year.
That tie is followed by Leitir Mór and Kilkerrin/Clonberne at 5.30pm. This is a difficult tie to call, and is one I would leave off any accumulator. Kilkerrin/Clonberne player-manager Enda Daly has been a magnificent servant for his club and it will be interesting to see if he can orchestrate a championship win over a dogged Leitir Mór outfit.
The other two senior games down for decision are also attractive and interesting encounters. The first sees Bearna taking on Cortoon Shamrocks at 4.15pm in Corofin. I would fancy Mick Culkin’s north board outfit to advance here, assuming all their troops are fit for selection.
The final senior championship game of the weekend sees Caherlistrane and Claregalway do battle in Tuam (5.45pm ). There will probably not be too much between these sides, but I would agree with the bookies who have Caherlistrane as pre-match favourites of 4/6, with Eoin Donnellan’s side at 6/4.
There are a host of intermediate games down for decision too and a full list of those games can be seen on Galwaygaa.ie
