SFC relegation play-off: Strokestown v Western Gaels on Sunday in Elphin at 3 pm
It’s the ‘last chance saloon’ for defending county SFC champions Strokestown as they take on Western Gaels in Elphin this Sunday, with the losers faced with dropping into the Intermediate Football Championship in 2024.
Strokestown have been battling away, but short players like Sean Mullooly, Cathal Compton and David Butler, the campaign has been a struggle. Colm Neary is out now with an injury. It suggests that Sunday’s game will be an uphill battle for Strokestown, who will look to players like Paddy Brogan, Davy Neary, Kevin Finn, Shane McGinley and Diarmuid McGann to produce the goods.
Western Gaels have not set the world on fire this year but they have Seanie McDermott, Cathal Cregg, Kevin Higgins and Finbar Cregg in their ranks and will fight tooth and nail to stay in the senior grade.
I’m not sure if it has ever happened that the defending senior champions have been relegated the following year, but that could well be the case on Sunday. It will be a fierce battle.
Prediction: Western Gaels.
