A clearer picture developing in some of the groups now. In senior there was no major surprises but maybe the margin of victories. Drumcliffe looked very impressive against Tubbercurry and made them look very average indeed. It's hard to see where Tubber will pick up a win from. Young O'Brien is someone who should be considered for county set ups in future as he has the right build and well able to score. Harps may have shown a bit of weakness by just scrapping by Easkey minus Gordon. Their game with Coolera is the battle for second place and form would suggest the county holders will survive, but I'll save predictions for later in the week. Elsewhere Curry but put a brave battle but ultimately this Shamrock Gaels team look very good indeed. Mary's then disposed of Tourlestrane to confine them to a battle for 3rd place if even. As it currently stands I think it's Shamrock Gaels, Coolera, Mary's and DRP/Molaise for the semi's. The 3 South Sligo teams for relegation along with Easkey.

In the Intermediate my dark horses Enniscrone disposed of Pats fairly handily it looks like but that group has so many possibilities that 4 points could get you a semi-final spot. Enniscrone can afford to lose one game and still finish top which is some comfort to them. Impossible to see how this group goes bar Enniscrone being in a semi final. Group 2 Bunninadden could have beaten Mullinabreena I hear or at least snuck a draw, it's little comfort to them given they put themselves under serious pressure losing to Castleconnor who in turn were well beaten by Ballymote as I expected. The winner of Ballymote/Bunninadden will most likely get second but even if Bunninadden were somehow to win it, they really have to hope that Castleconnor don't win anymore games, which tbh I think is quiet possible. So Mullinabreena, Ballymote for me in semis. Bunnies safe and Castleconnor and Owenmore for relegation.

In Junior full compliments to St Michaels, they seem to have turned the tide of recent years and are the inform team in their group and have the semi-final spot booked. Should John's get over Drumcliffe next week they should join them. Cloonacool as expected going well in Group 2 with Harps to join them in second place.

Only suggestion I would have to the powers that be is to review some of the games selected for streaming, Tubber and Drumcliffe on paper could have been a big game but ended up being a snorefest. Curry v Easkey is due to be streamed this weekend for example, a game that will only decide who is 4th and 5th. Coolera and Harps is a much better prospect for a neutral. You really shouldn't pick your games after round 2 until you see how the table is shaping up. Also how does it make sense to have Drumcliffe and Molaise play one another in Tourlestrane???

Sligoman1234 (Sligo) - Posts: 585 - 24/08/2025 20:56:06    2633402

tacosauce1968 (Leitrim) - Posts: 7 - 24/08/2025 21:02:13    2633403

I hate to be always ranting about fixtures but it's impossible not to get frustrated. Saturday evening under lights is prime time viewing and what game is going to be played ? Curry v Easkey. This is an a dead rubber with nothing at stake as both teams are in relegation. I doubt if 40 people will pay a tenner to see it. Meanwhile at half 4 on a Sunday in Enniscrone, Molaise play Tubber. It will be 6 before it's over. No consideration for lads having to travel back to Dublin afterwards when the game could have been played much earlier. Supporters just won't bother traveling if they have to commute to work afterwards.
Back to the football, and 3 of the 4 teams that are in relegation are already known. No team in either group are 100 % sure to be in the knockout stage so there is interesting games ahead.
Drumcliffe are going really well in group 2 and so are Shamrock Gaels in group 1. They both had great wins. Marys are back in control of their own destiny. Harp's are still unbeaten albeit against weak opposition. Molaise have a fight on their hands but their last game is against Drumcliffe who may be qualified at that stage which could help Molaise.
I will look at the intermediate/junior tomorrow.

eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 2214 - 24/08/2025 21:38:57    2633410

Watched two games on the stream over the weekend. Firstly, Marys & Tourlestrane. Thought there was good intensity and physicality in this game, helped by the tight pitch in Bunninadden. Mary's were a lot better this week, their forward looked more balanced and played as a unit, a clear example of this was their first goal, a great team move. I was impressed with their work rate all over the pitch. Their running power and impact from the bench was crucial in the second half. Tourlestrane tried hard but were over reliant on Brian Egan again who wasn't as imperious as he was against Molaise, they rued their wides from the opening quarter. I couldn't understand why they didn't push up on Emlyn Mulligan, they allowed him to pull the strings. Massive game for Tour next week if they want to avoid the relegation play offs but I don't see them beating DRP, even a win might not be enough for them to avoid the playoffs. Consistency is the aim of the game for Mary's but I do expect them progress to the knock outs and will be handful for anyone. Predicting potentially a Mary's SG semi final which will be a cracker.

The DRP and Tubbercurry was a very one sided contest unfortunately. Tubber were very disappointing, they never got going. It looked like the 3 week break worked against them as they were very flat after their derby win in Round 1. Flynn & Perry were nullified up front and they could not win a break around the middle for love nor money. Poor discipline & breaches is also a worrying sign going into a key match next week. What can you say about DRP, ruthlessly efficient and a very balanced team. Another injection of youth has bolstered them again and they are going about their business very well. I have to admit I did not think that the new rules would suit them but their ability to score 2 pointers is a joy to see. As mentioned by a previous poster young O'Brien could be what the county team need around the middle, he was with the 20s last year but never got a look in and decided to play hurling instead. Lally inside one on one is nearly impossible to contain, what a goal yesterday. DRP have a nice bit of depth too, their first 3 subs are all quality players and I have no doubt will be pushing for starting jerseys for next week. DRP are definitely contenders and probably should top their group now. No other real shocks, Curry were competitive against SG and should beat Easky next week. It's a huge task for Easky to stay up now, I am sure they are disappointed that their county man couldn't have waited until the end of the season to go on his travels, but the best of luck to him, he has been a great servant for his club & county in both codes for 10 years, he deserves some time off.

Didn't see any intermediate so hard to comment, Group 1 is very tight hard call the placings from 2nd to 5th. In Group 2 Ballymote Bunninadden will be a cracker given the prize at stake and how well they know each other from underage.

laochragael (Sligo) - Posts: 10 - 25/08/2025 05:56:25    2633447

Are the dates set for the club championship semis, finals and relegation?
The master calendar on Sligo GAA is for 2023.

sligo joe (Dublin) - Posts: 1009 - 25/08/2025 08:35:04    2633456

Things are staking to take shape
St Marys got their season back on track after disposing of Tourlestrane. A poor crowd in Bunninaden for this one that was a very intense affair with a lot on the line for both teams, throw in time and venue not ideal to attract a crowd. St Marys showed some bottle this time after going a long period without a score which seen Tourlestrane get the game back level but Marys kicked on scoring 2-5 in the last 10 mins.
The other game in this group was v poor, hard to judge if DRP were very good or Tubber really poor. Eddie McGuinness was carrying a knock only came on at half time which makes no sense to me. Why not play him from the start especially when they were against the wind. Lally was outstanding with some otehr really good performances from teh Drumcliff young guns, Eamonn O'Mahony, Eamonn Keane and Paul O'Brien to mention a few. Drumcliff all but in the semi final barring Tourlestrane beating them considering they are still playing for 3rd place. A tour win would leave us with a cracking North Sligo derby between Drumcliff and Molaise.
Shamrock Gaels done the job against a spirited curry. Wasn't at the game but from what I heard Jason Marren picked up an injury, wish him all the best. Could it be the last time we see the two marrens on the pitch together.
Harps stuggled past Easkey and will need to up their performance to have any chance of beating Coolera next weekend which is a must win for them.
In Intermediate Coolaney have secured their semi final spot after dispatching Bunninden. Ennicrone are looking good after beating pats but a defeat against Calry this weekend would leave things wide open. Too hard to call who will take the other three places.

manfromthewest (Sligo) - Posts: 43 - 25/08/2025 12:05:22    2633494

Sligoman1234 (Sligo) - Posts: 585 - 26/08/2025 07:59:14    2633604

ShellyGael (Sligo) - Posts: 109 - 26/08/2025 09:54:52    2633612

Sligoman1234 (Sligo) - Posts: 585 - 26/08/2025 13:10:57    2633642

Enniscrone is a shocking venue for the Co Final. Great for scenery and parking but the pitch is poor and the 2 mini stands are terrible. Will Tourlestrane get the ball net fixed along the road before the intermediate final. ? It's taking them a long time, the storm was last January

Taypot (Sligo) - Posts: 197 - 26/08/2025 15:46:41    2633671

By my calculations we need either a Tourlestrane win over Drumcliffe or a last day Tubbercurry win over Mary's and win our last 2 matches to go through. It would be some boost to get if Tourlestrane can beat Drumcliffe in the early game on Sunday. Egan played well against Mary's but he missed a few frees that he got against us. A few goals left behind aswell but both sides were guilty of this. Massive few weeks ahead where hopefully we can find some form.

Harps v Coolera should be a cracker on Saturday in a winner takes all.

Sligonian (Sligo) - Posts: 1902 - 26/08/2025 16:11:46    2633678

Enniscrone should take one of the play off spots in group 1 of the intermediate championship. The second spot is difficult to call. The winner of Calry and St.Pats in the final game should take that.
I am fairly sure Geevagh will be in the bottom 2 and I think Farnans will be joining them.

Group 2 of the intermediate looks like Coolaney will top it and probably Ballymote will take the second spot unless the Bunnies (who I tipped on a wild card prediction to win the competition) beat Ballymote this weekend. There is a possibility that the bottom 3 teams could finish on 2 points
The junior is looking very straightforward with Cloonacool and Michaels topping their respective group and Harp's and Johns taking second spot .

How much does it cost to stream a match? The Co Board needs to give a few euro to Rory O Brien who does a great job and then a few bob to the commentary boys. Im asking that question because there's no way that streaming a game from Tourlestrane on Saturday evening will break even, never mind make a few euro. The loser of the game on Saturday evening goes into the relegation dogfight and guess what, the winner also goes into relegation..... Total dead rubber of a game and people are not going to fork out 12 euro to see it..

eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 2214 - 26/08/2025 22:04:12    2633718

Sligoman1234 (Sligo) - Posts: 585 - 27/08/2025 07:18:33    2633747

For this weekend I will go with
Curry to beat Easkey by 4
Coolera to beat Harps by 2
Molaise to beat Tubber by 5
Drumcliffe to beat Tourlestrane by 7

Ballymote to beat Bunnies by 3
Castleconnor to beat Owenmore Gaels by 6
Pat's to beat Farnans by 3
Enniscrone to beat Calry by 5

Cloonacool to beat Gaels by 8
Harp's to beat Tubber by 12
Johns to beat Drumcliffe by 6
Molaise to beat Tourlestrane by 7

Taypot (Sligo) - Posts: 197 - 27/08/2025 11:32:43    2633765

Curry to beat Easkey by 4
Coolera to beat Harps by 4
Molaise to beat Tubber by 7
Drumcliffe to beat Tourlestrane by 4

Ballymote to beat Bunninadden by 2
Owenmore Gaels to beat Castleconnor by 2
Farnans and Pats Draw
Enniscrone to beat Calry by 3

Cloonacool to beat Gaels by 5
Harp's to beat Tubber by 10
Johns to beat Drumcliffe by 2
Molaise to beat Tourlestrane by 4

Sligoman1234 (Sligo) - Posts: 585 - 27/08/2025 17:53:27    2633830

Weekend Peedictions:

Curry to beat Easkey by 8
Coolera to beat Harps by 5
Molaise to beat Tubber by 3
Drumcliffe to beat Tourlestrane by 2

Ballymote to beat Bunninadden by 1
Castleconnor to beat Owenmore Gaels by 10
St. Farnan's to beat St. Pat's by 2
Enniscrone to beat Calry by 6

Cloonacool to beat Gaels by 5
Harp's to beat Tubber by 9
Johns to beat Drumcliffe by 8
Molaise to beat Tourlestrane by 2

gaahub2020 (Sligo) - Posts: 6 - 27/08/2025 23:23:47    2633867

Curry to beat Easkey
Coolera to beat Harps
Molaise to beat Tubber
Tourlestrane to beat Drumcliffe

Bunninadden to beat Ballymote
Owenmore Gaels to beat Castleconnor
Farnans to beat Pats
Enniscrone to beat Calry

Cloonacool to beat Gaels
Harps to beat Tubber
Johns to beat Drumcliffe
Molaise to beat Tourlestrane

MaugheraboyKid (Sligo) - Posts: 2 - 27/08/2025 23:35:42    2633872

Any standout players emerging that we might see in the county panel later on. There's definitely a few on the county panel who are not doing well in this championship

Taypot (Sligo) - Posts: 197 - 28/08/2025 12:28:51    2633924

Players not really involved last year I would be looking at more in this championship with a view to county, obviously Keelan Harte, George Barlow, Tommy Ross, Luke Marren, Fintan Campbell, Conor Flynn, Patrick Brady, Josh Flynn, Matt Henry, Conor Walsh, Oisin Flynn, Dillon Walsh, Eamonn o mahony, Joe Keaney to name a few. I'd expect Rossa and few others briefly involved last year to get more chances. He seems to going very well for Easkey and is a great prospect and if Kilcullen committed to that would be a boost. Im sure the management are aware of all these lads and standout moments in the big moments in club matches. Hopefully with the new management that brings more commitment from more players. Year on year too many county players dont really stand out for their clubs so Id expect a fairly new look Sligo next year with lots of starters under pressure.

Sligonian (Sligo) - Posts: 1902 - 28/08/2025 18:41:15    2633992