Six games down for decision on round two of Senior Football Championship

In round one of the JJ Kavanagh & Sons County Senior Football Championship last weekend, the five games played between Friday and Sunday evening all ended in predictable results.

This weekend six games are down for decision and at this point we are wondering if all games will take a similar line.

Three games are down for decision on Saturday evening with three more down to be played on Sunday afternoon and Sunday evening.

Last weekend for most games were very predicable to win, the only one that could have thrown anyone who fancied a flutter in the bookies on the outcome of the six games might have been the game between Rathgormack and Ballinameela which was called off late in the day due to a combination of an unplayable playing surface and the weather conditions in Stradbally on Saturday evening last.

This weekend while there is some games that could well have very predicable outcomes, there is also some that could go either way.

Gaultier and Ardmore meet in Stradbally on Saturday evening. Last weekend, Gaultier suffered a heavy defeat to reigning champions Stradbally in Walsh Park. Going on the result of that game, it looks like that the ‘Barony Men’ could well have another long year ahead of them, but the consolation for them is that they have the best team in the group out of the way, where as the other five teams in Group A still have to play them.

Ardmore last weekend played neighbours Clashmore in Fraher Field. Like almost all games played last weekend, this game was played in very testing conditions. Driving wind and rain blew towards the road end of Fraher Field and it was slightly strange to note that both teams played their best football playing against the wind.

Just like Gaultier, the ‘Round Tower Men’ lost out last weekend, but you can’t but think that they will get off the mark this weekend.

Stradbally and Saint Saviours meet in Kilmacthomas on Saturday evening. Both of these sides had contrasting results last weekend. Stradbally as already pointed had a very big win over Gaultier at Walsh Park whole at the same venue Saint Saviours lost out to Kilrossanty.

Stradbally brought in a number of new faces last weekend and will see this game as a chance to see what some of their younger players are able to do again.

Saint Saviours to there credit are keeping Gaelic Football alive in the city, but they have had a number of brushes with relegation in recent years. How long more can they avoid relegation is something that is on the lips of many. You have to admire the Ballybeg based club. They face many challenges each year, as many of there players are involved with a number of other sports and often have to make their mind up as to what comes first especially when two games clash on the same day.

You can’t but think that the champions should have enough to see them through this game, but Saint Saviours each year pull off at least one big win. Could this be Saint Saviour’s big result this year?

The final game on Saturday evening sees Rathgormack take on Ballinacourty at Fraher Field. This should be the best of the games on Saturday evening and certainty the closest.

The two clubs met in the under 21 county final recently where it was the Comeragh Men that came out on top.

Over the past few years Ballinacourty are in the top three within the county and have won their share of county titles. They have also gone very close to winning a first Munster Club title for Waterford.

Rathgormack on the other hand have not appeared in a senior county final with a number of years, but are moving in the right direction. They have tasted success at under 16, minor and under 21 levels in recent years and not is the time to see can they carry this success to the next level.

Last weekend Ballinacourty had a three point win over An Rinn while Rathgormack’s game was called off. They go into this game a cold team (championship wise). They have the ability to cause a shock or two. Will this game be one of those times when they do? I cant see it happening this weekend, but then again you never know.

Last years Intermediate Champions – Ballinameela play their first game of this years championship on Sunday afternoon when they take on The Nire at Fraher Field. There is no doubting that they would like to have had a championship game under their belts before this game.

Last years Intermediate champions have a number of very good players in the likes of the Walsh’s the Phelan’s and Curran’s. When they came up from Intermediate for the 2010 championship they shocked many by getting to the county semi final and had their chance to beat a much fancied Stradbally side.

They could well prove to be just as good this time around, but with a change in the championship format in the past two years, they could find it that little tougher as they will have to extend their unbeaten run over a series of games over a longer period.

The Nire are a very seasoned team. Last weekend they struggled for a while against Brickeys but in the end experience saw them through as they hit two goals inside a minute of each other.

Last weekend they gave their senior championship debut to a number of players and they acquitted themselves well. It will be interesting to see if and when they get their next chance and to see how they will get on.

With players of the standard of Liam Lawlor, Shane Walsh, Brian Wall, Darren and Craig Guiry and Jamie Barron etc. The Nire should have too in the tank for Ballinameela, but as pointed out already, Ballinameela have come close to pulling off a shock in the recent pass and no doubt will do so in the future.

The meeting of Clashmore and Kilrossanty could well prove to be the game of the weekend, and attract the most interest over the weekend.

Both sides had opening round wins in the championship last weekend so something has to give this weekend.

Both of these sides have a number of very good players and it awaits to be seen how they face up to each other.

It would not be too much of a shock if the game was won or lost on the ability of the respective free takers.

Last time out Kilrossanty tried a number of players on free taking duties before settling on John Prendergast who put over three points.

Kilrossanty’s regular free taker Paul Whyte started on the bench last weekend and responsibility was given to Joey Veale who did not disappoint putting over two and a forty-five.

If Paul Whyte starts for Kilrossanty this week, it is important that Clashmore who ever they have on free taking duty starts off well as the Kilrossanty man when given a chance is unlikely to miss too many chances.

If Clashmore’s forwards were to click on the day and they had four or five players who can get their name on the score board from play, maybe with one or two players kicking three or four points each, I for one would expect them to win but it works out to be a battle of the free takers and Paul Whyte plays a full sixty minutes, you have to fancy the Comeragh Men.

The final game of the weekend sees neighbours An Rinn and Brickeys take on each other at Fraher Field.

Both sides last weekend started with defeats and will be going all out to register a win in this game as they won’t to fall behind any further on their main rivals.

Going on the results last weekend, you would have to fancy An Rinn. They came close to beating Ballinacourty despite a poor start. If they can get off to a good start in this game and kick of scores on a regular basis, you have to fancy them to win.

This Weekends Fixtures:

Group One.

Gaultier V Ardmore in Stradbally on Saturday at 7pm

Stradbally V St Saviours in Kilmacthomas on Saturday at 7pm

Kilrossanty V Clashmore in Fraher Field on Sunday at 3-30pm

 

Group Two.

Rathgormack V Ballinacourty in Fraher Field on Saturday at 7pm

The Nire V Ballinameela in Fraher Field on Sunday at 2pm

Brickeys V An Rinn in Fraher Field on Sunday at 7pm