Knockout football!
Hodson Bay Hotel SFC Quarter-Finals (All games in Dr Hyde Park)
St. Brigid’s v Clann na nGael on Saturday at 2.30 pm
On form, St. Brigid’s are the team to beat in the entire championship and neighbours and old rivals Clann will have to dig deeper than they have so far if they are to cause an upset.
Emmett Durney’s men have not been on song so far in this championship. Two defensive lapses by St. Faithleach’s let them in to win their opening game while they struggled against Western Gaels before being well beaten by Boyle.
Brigid’s, on the other hand, have been excellent so far, although they were given a fright by Tulsk in their last match. They go into this match as deserved favourites and it would be a shock if this were not to result in a win for the Kiltoom men.
Prediction: St. Brigid’s
Roscommon Gaels v Pádraig Pearses on Saturday at 4.45 pm
Pearses have mixed the good, the bad, and the ugly so far. After steamrolling Tulsk they were hammered by Brigid’s and then scraped through against Strokestown. One school of thought might be that they are slipping, but Pat Flanagan’s men are still a formidable outfit.
The Gaels are certainly improving and the return of senior players has been crucial. It looks like Scottie Oates might be back this weekend and that will strengthen them further. They have plenty of experienced players and on their day are a match for anyone.
Recent form aside, Pearses are the defending Roscommon and Connacht champions and it take would take a massive performance from the Gaels to dislodge them at the quarter-finals stage…but stranger things have happened.
Prediction: Padraig Pearses (narrowly).
Strokestown v Oran on Sunday at 2 pm
Oran have answered all questions asked of them so far but this quarter-final will be a step up for them. The young players who have contributed so much to their rise through the ranks in recent years will have to come of age this Sunday.
Strokestown were excellent against Pádraig Pearses and were unlucky not to overturn the champions, and they have a number of very competent performers.
This promises to be a very tight match and it’s a tough one to predict. However, looking at both sides, Oran look to have the most threat up front and get a hesitant vote to make it to the last four.
Prediction: Oran.
Boyle v Michael Glavey’s on Sunday at 4.15 pm
Boyle are up there with St Brigid’s as the most impressive team in the championship so far and they will be the hot favourites this Sunday.
Glavey’s put everyone on notice last weekend with a super win against St. Faithleach’s and they have some excellent players. Andy Glennon is playing some of his best football and is a real handful at full forward.
However, Boyle look stronger than they have done in recent years. They have probably the best attacking line in the county – Cian McKeon, Donie Smith and Daire Cregg are a lethal combination.
Glavey’s will enjoy nothing more than to be written off again this weekend but it would be a major surprise if Boyle don’t win this, and with a bit to spare too.
Prediction: Boyle.
Callington Ltd IFC Quarter-Finals
Following St. Aidan’s’ narrow 0-11 to 0-10 win against Kilbride in the play-off on Monday night, the draw for the IFC quarter-finals was made and those games will be played this weekend.
Championship favourites St. Dominic’s will face Creggs in what looks a very interesting tie. Creggs have played well this year but it would be a shock if Dominic’s did not advance.
St. Croan’s emerged from their crucial tie against Kilmore and seeded and now face St. Aidan’s who are improving, but Croan’s should qualify for the last four.
The meeting of Éire Óg and St. Brigid’s could be the tightest game of the quarter-finals. Éire Óg get a hesitant vote to emerge victorious.
‘Game of the weekend’ in the intermediate quarter-finals is the clash of Castlerea St. Kevin’s and Fuerty. Both sides have ambitions to win the title this year and both have played well. There is big potential in both teams’ attacks and it should be a high scoring affair. Fuerty get the nod to get through narrowly.
