No place to hide as football title race in the final furlong

Date Published: 16-Aug-2012

 It may have been a disappointing season on the inter-county scene for Galway football, but that should take nothing away from what promises to be an exciting conclusion to the senior and intermediate club football championships.

No doubt, there is some fantastic fare on offer this coming weekend, with county champions Corofin facing pretenders to the throne St. James in a quarter-final clash that should serve up some very attractive, free-flowing football.

Of course, St. James’ have already wounded Corofin this year when claiming the U-21 ‘A’ crown with an emphatic victory, but they will find the freedom of the park they enjoyed on that occasion will not be as forthcoming at Tuam Stadium on Sunday.

If the prospect of that game doesn’t tingle the senses, then the derby meeting of Tuam Stars and Milltown immediately afterwards should. Speaking to both camps this week, it was palpable just how much both sides want to win this game as much as they don’t want to lose it. Parish rivalry at its best.

Earlier in the day, Connemara invades Pearse Stadium as Micheál Breathnach look to put pay to Killererin’s aspirations of reclaiming the Frank Fox Cup while An Cheathrú Rua will look to advance beyond a stage of the competition that they have failed to do so in recent years when they face a fancied Salthill/Knocknacarra outfit. However, a Connemara double may be a stretch too far.

The intermediate championship has also plenty to offer, with 2011 finalists Oughterard facing Corofin’s second string in Pearse Stadium on Saturday (6:45pm) while, at the same time, Dunmore MacHales will look to advance at the expense of an improving Athenry team at Tuam Stadium.

The following day, at Tuam Stadium (3:15pm), All-Ireland junior club champions Clonbur have the daunting task of upsetting championship contenders Monivea/Abbey – an outfit, who along with Carna Caiseal, play their league football in the senior ranks and already this year have recorded wins over Killererin and St. James in the league. Still, Clonbur will not be that easily dismissed.

In the concluding intermediate championship quarterfinal of the weekend, Carna Caiseal meet a Menlough side that has been going quite well in Division 2A of the league under the direction of trainer and Galway ladies footballer Edel Concannon. They lie just a point behind leaders St. Michael’s, Caltra and Oughterard, all of whom are on nine points. That game takes place at Pearse Stadium at 5:30pm.

For a preview of each of the senior fixtures see this week’s Tribune.