Battle of the Saints to attract big crowd for city derby clash

COUNTY champions Salthill/Knocknacarra will put their title on the line against a resurgent Caltra while title favourites Corofin must overcome a solid Naomh Anna Leitir Móir outfit if they are to advance to the penultimate stages of the senior football championship this weekend.

Certainly, they are four interesting quarter-final pairings and while Salthill/Knocknacarra, Corofin, Milltown and St. James’ will all be expected to proceed to the next round, it would not be a major surprise if at least one of the underdogs don’t upset the odds. Giving some weight to this point, you have two local derbies which are sure to be keenly contested.

The clash of Milltown and Cortoon Shamrocks has tweaked the interest of even the most cursory of football supporters this week, given the acrimonious departure of the talented Martin boys – Michael and John – from Cortoon to Milltown three years ago. That this will be the two clubs’ first championship meeting should ensure the intensity levels will not be found wanting.

The other local derby sees two city clubs, St. James and St. Michael’s, battle it out for the right to progress to the semi-finals. St. James’ have never progressed to the penultimate stages while Michael’s last semi-final appearance was way back in 1987. So, the incentive is there for both.

Elsewhere, Oughterard and Claregalway meet in the first of the county intermediate semi-finals at Pearse Stadium on Saturday with the winner going on to face Clonbur or Menlough, who play the following weekend, in the decider.

SATURDAY

Oughterard v Claregalway (IFC)

(Pearse Stadium, 4:45pm)

Having dropped down from the senior ranks last year, Claregalway – despite an opening round 0-11 to 0-10 defeat to this weekend’s opposition – look to be well on course for a return to the top flight following championship victories over Corofin (1-15 to 1-14), Dunmore MacHales (1-13 to 0-9) and Salthill/Knocknacarra (0-14 to 1-8).

However, they do have major injury concerns with midfielder Eoghan Cummins (knee) and corner forward Danny Cummins (hamstring) extremely doubtful, according to manager Tommy Lally, while another corner forward, Paddy Moran, has also been sidelined as of late with a calf injury. Consequently, he will be dipping into his extensive squad with Simon Monaghan among those pushing for a starting berth.

As for Oughterard, Damien O’Reilly is carrying a groin injury while Martin Coady has been struggling with an ankle injury but the latter should be okay to play. Of course, as noted, Oughterard accounted for Claregalway in the opening round but manager Tommie Dooher says both sides have progressed since then and this will be a very different ball game.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.