Round 2 of the Club Championship this weekend, here is how I think it will go:
Padraig Pearses v Clann na nGael: Disappointment for Pearses the last day and expect a huge bounce back. Bad shooting let them down and some notable absentees. Clann have the comfort of a win in Round 1 and can go after this game knowing a win will guarantee them knockout football. Tight game but if Pearses have Colleran and Tumulty back, I expect them to win at home by 2/3 points.
St. Dominics vs St. Faithleachs: Must win for Dominics, they will not fancy themselves against Pearses on the final day so this game is do or die. A very tight game here but home advantage could make the difference. Dominics by 2.
St. Brigits v Western Gaels: Straight forward here, Brigits by 12 + points. Home advantage for the best team in the championship. Last round fight for survival between Elphin and W Gaels
Michael Glaveys vs Elphin: Glaveys will be on a high after a big win in Round 1 and are a hard team to beat at home in championship football. Elphin suffered some injuries if rumours are true that means Shane Killoran is out injured. Glaveys by 4
Roscommon Gaels v Oran: Could be the game of the weekend here. Oran were outstanding against Castlerea while Roscommon Gaels will look to kickstart their championship after a placid showing against Boyle. A draw could be on the cards here but I think Ros Gaels could shade this by 2 points.
Castlerea v Boyle: Castlrea played well in parts last weekend but Oran were just too good and had too many threats for them to handle. A win for Boyle sees them into the q finals so they will manage this game as best as they can. Should have too much for the home team and will expect them to tie down Adam McDermott. Boyle by 5
Intermediate: Perses B v Eir Og - Eir Og by 6+. Conor Cox and Doorey brilliant the last day out Fuerty v Kilmore: Fuerty by 2/3. Very tight game in store here Tulsk vs Barrys: Tulsk comfortable winners. Creggs vs Michaels : Possible draw, Creggs may shade by 2/3 points Strokestown v Shannon Gaels: Strokestown by 10+ Brigits B v Kilbride: Brigits to upset here, win by 2 points.
Replying To Seanfan: "Born in Roscommon to 2 Roscommon parents who were lifelong Roscommon supporters, lives in Roscommon....."
Ballaghaderreen gaa will always be a sore point for us Roscommon people. Andy Moran made his name in the green and red of Mayo and that's where his loyalties lie. Interestingly, I remember seeing a photograph on Facebook from a St. Patrick's day parade in Ballaghaderreen in the early/ mid 1990s and a young Andy Moran is wearing a Roscommon jersey in the photo. I suppose that reflects the loyalties of his Roscommon parents, but when he grew up, he did as Ballaghderreen gaa players do, he played for Mayo. I've always felt that Ballaghaderreen players should have the choice to opt to play for either Mayo or Roscommon but that appears to be beyond the imagination of the gaa.
Replying To endgame: "Ballaghaderreen gaa will always be a sore point for us Roscommon people. Andy Moran made his name in the green and red of Mayo and that's where his loyalties lie. Interestingly, I remember seeing a photograph on Facebook from a St. Patrick's day parade in Ballaghaderreen in the early/ mid 1990s and a young Andy Moran is wearing a Roscommon jersey in the photo. I suppose that reflects the loyalties of his Roscommon parents, but when he grew up, he did as Ballaghderreen gaa players do, he played for Mayo. I've always felt that Ballaghaderreen players should have the choice to opt to play for either Mayo or Roscommon but that appears to be beyond the imagination of the gaa."
Replying To endgame: "Ballaghaderreen gaa will always be a sore point for us Roscommon people. Andy Moran made his name in the green and red of Mayo and that's where his loyalties lie. Interestingly, I remember seeing a photograph on Facebook from a St. Patrick's day parade in Ballaghaderreen in the early/ mid 1990s and a young Andy Moran is wearing a Roscommon jersey in the photo. I suppose that reflects the loyalties of his Roscommon parents, but when he grew up, he did as Ballaghderreen gaa players do, he played for Mayo. I've always felt that Ballaghaderreen players should have the choice to opt to play for either Mayo or Roscommon but that appears to be beyond the imagination of the gaa."
It's the most bizarre set up. Surely to God there just needs to be an option available to clubs who are in one county and play in another? If they found how to allow people to choose their identity in the north east of the island then surely to God they can accommodate the same for a small amount of clubs in that scenario. Roscommon is a small population anyway. The town of Ballaghaderreen and its surrounds being eliminated from the playing pool pick which disproportionately affects us. I know you can say people switch to western Gaels if they want to play for Ros but realistically kids will want to be in the same club as their school mates when they start, so if they ever make to be county standard they are already indoctrinated into the Mayo way, no matter if the family are Rossie supporters.