After the weekend gone by I have now seen all 12 Senior teams play and its extremely hard to look beyond The Downs. Would probably have Kinnegad as their closest challengers but even at that I still think they are a bit off them. Lomans would be next in line and I do think if they get out of the group they will be hard to beat as they're well accustomed to knockout football and getting over the line in tight games. After that everyone else is miles off to be honest. The Downs will be hoping for Tubberclair Moate All Whites or Athlone in a semi final. Caulry have had a poor year which is no harm, might keep a few of them out that way quiet for a while. Mullingar Shamrocks fell off the wagon, maybe injuries didnt help. Garrycastle still have a chance of qualifying and credit to them for putting themselves in that positon. Section B has two dead rubber games which is disappointing as Section B used to always come down to the last round given only 2 qualified and every game was massive. Ironic that the club that enforced the new format are now knocked out. Milltown and St Malachys flying high in Section A, a draw would actually put both sides in the semi final. Milltownpass v Shandonagh is a winner takes all and should be a humdinger. Ballymore are flying in section B and are safely through with a game to spare. Ballinagore have also been brilliant, only Junior 2 a couple of years ago and are now on the brink of an intermediate quarter final. Their games with Rbridge will be massive. Maryland V Castletown in the relegation play off will be a tight one to call, neither side have been playing well.
Replying To BadgerDog: "After the weekend gone by I have now seen all 12 Senior teams play and its extremely hard to look beyond The Downs. Would probably have Kinnegad as their closest challengers but even at that I still think they are a bit off them. Lomans would be next in line and I do think if they get out of the group they will be hard to beat as they're well accustomed to knockout football and getting over the line in tight games. After that everyone else is miles off to be honest. The Downs will be hoping for Tubberclair Moate All Whites or Athlone in a semi final. Caulry have had a poor year which is no harm, might keep a few of them out that way quiet for a while. Mullingar Shamrocks fell off the wagon, maybe injuries didnt help. Garrycastle still have a chance of qualifying and credit to them for putting themselves in that positon. Section B has two dead rubber games which is disappointing as Section B used to always come down to the last round given only 2 qualified and every game was massive. Ironic that the club that enforced the new format are now knocked out. Milltown and St Malachys flying high in Section A, a draw would actually put both sides in the semi final. Milltownpass v Shandonagh is a winner takes all and should be a humdinger. Ballymore are flying in section B and are safely through with a game to spare. Ballinagore have also been brilliant, only Junior 2 a couple of years ago and are now on the brink of an intermediate quarter final. Their games with Rbridge will be massive. Maryland V Castletown in the relegation play off will be a tight one to call, neither side have been playing well."
Replying To jobber: "We are getting to the crucial stage of the championships now but i have to say when you see it in the cold light of day that two out of Lomans,Shamrocks and Garrycastle will go out of the senior football championship is in terms of quality a disaster. Maybe Athlone and Moate might surprise me but surely in terms of merit the board have got it totally wrong."
Ive seen Garrycastle twice, Shamrocks and Lomans once, and all three of Moate, Tubberclair and Athlone are better or just as good IMO...
Saying that, there is no point in having the two group system if the same amount of teams get into the QF from each group. The previous form was much better IMO.
Replying To Claretandblue: "Tubberclair Athlone and Moate through in Section B but important games to decide which two get to Section A. Tang vs Tyrrellspass a relegation play off essentially as is Finea vs Maryland. Milltownpass vs Shandonagh a knockout game too as is Ballinagore vs The Bridge. Garrycastle need to beat The Downs which would jeopardise The Downs qualifying."
If the current system is kept, you might be better off staying in Section B
Replying To Corofin123: "If the current system is kept, you might be better off staying in Section B"
Honestly - think they forgot if they were to do it this format it had to be a total open draw. Not seeded still, teams in the A are at a clear disadvantage to the poorer B sides. Over half the teams in the county (B side) were set to benefit so see how it got pushed/voted through. Terrible decision by WCB, majority of games next round mean nothing
Replying To Corofin123: "Ive seen Garrycastle twice, Shamrocks and Lomans once, and all three of Moate, Tubberclair and Athlone are better or just as good IMO...
Saying that, there is no point in having the two group system if the same amount of teams get into the QF from each group. The previous form was much better IMO."
Well we will see how they do in the knock out stages but apart from Tubberclair the others are not at the higher level.Kinnegad and The Downs would hammer them and Lomans and Garrycastle probably would as well. Obviously i agree with the last line.