After a few weekends of exciting club championship hurling action, the football clubs swing into competitive championship fare this Saturday and Sunday with both the seniors and intermediates kicking off.
There are a myriad of football fixtures down for decision over the weekend. However two double headers on Saturday in Tuam Stadium and Pearse Stadium, and a another double header on Sunday in Pearse Stadium, genuinely catch the eye.
On Saturday in Tuam Stadium, Tuam Stars take on near neighbours Cortoon Shamrocks (5.45pm ) in what promises to be a high quality affair.
Shamrocks will look to the Varleys, Adrian and Paul, Cathal Mulryan, and young Joeseph Donnellan to get enough scores to get them over the winning line.
Tuam have worked hard in pre-season and county captain Gary O’Donnell and Jamie Murphy are seasoned campaigners who will know what it takes to eke out a win in what should be a tight game.
That tie is followed at 7.30pm by the clash of Salthill/Knocknacarra and Milltown.
These teams have served up some enjoyable games in the past, and Saturday evening should be no different.
The word from the Salthill camp has been positive over the past few weeks and the rumour is that former county player Seán Armstrong and his younger brother Gearoid are playing well and moving sweetly.
The seasiders have some talented young forwards too in Paul Butler and Robert Finnerty, and it will be interesting to see how that forward unit gels over the next few weeks under the guidance of former All-Star Val Daly.
Pearse Stadium on Saturday evening
There is also a double header in Pearse Stadium on Saturday with county champions Corofin expected to be too strong for Cárna-Caiseal (5.45pm ) in the first tie.
Corofin has an impressive forward unit and if it is a good dry evening it is very difficult to see the Connemara men having the defensive capabilities to nullify Ian Burke, Martin Farragher and county player Gary Sice.
Then at 7.30pm there is the all-Connemara clash of Carraroe and Naomh Anna Leitir Móir with local bragging rights at stake. Calling a winner between those two sides is extremely difficult. Both sides will fancy their chances of taking down their near neighbours.
The final double header of the weekend is in Pearse Stadium on Sunday with former county kingpins Killererin taking on Micheál Breathnachs (2pm ).
Having watched Killererin let in six or seven goals in the championship last year against Killanin, it will be interesting to see if there is any improvement from a defensive perspective this season.
Next up is last year’s intermediate champions Maigh Cuilinn against Kilconly (3.45pm ). Both sides will have targeted this game, and if Maigh Cuilinn have a full panel from which to select, theymight have the wherewithal to start their return to senior championship football with a win.
There are a full list of all the championship fixtures in Senior and Intermediate on galwaygaa.ie
