johncreilly (Sligo) - Posts: 182 - 08/09/2025 10:17:21    2635281

So with group stages complete in Senior I don't think it's a huge surprise who the semi finalists are. St Molaise Gaels will see the campaign as a massive disappointment, clearly Langan was able to extract more out of them than current set up plus their new transfer. Tourlestrane will also see it as a poor campaign having only got 1 point but there may be a realisation setting in there that the golden era couldn't go on forever. Harps will see it as a good campaign getting 3rd but probably can thank the order of games they had.

This weekend I expect Curry to prevail by a narrow margin and Tubber will beat Easkey next week. Easkey to be relegated.

In intermediate Bunninadden will be the most disappointed across the two groups but their neighbours Ballymote can count themselves extremely lucky having got in not by their own doing but by the fact Castleconnor did them a huge favour. All 4 semi finalists in both relegation and knockout are very evenly matched. I expect Owenmore to beat Geevagh this week and we'll see the true measure of Castleconnor against St Pats in a very hard to call game. I'll give the nod to Castleconnor and Pats v Geevagh is a toss of a coin. Calry will be delighted to have halted the free fall they're in from senior champ last year to Div 3 league this year. They will have plenty to say in the semifinal against Mullinabreena who didn't blow anyone away in their group and were caught by Castleconnor. Farnans will be disappointed but at least kept out of relegation. Enniscrone were my dark horses but seem to have fallen out of the saddle the last two games which will suit Ballymote who as one poster said appeared to celebrate avoiding relegation battle as if it were a championship win. Interesting battle there.

In Junior the 3 first teams make it and looking at the semis Michaels will work Eastern Harps handily enough. Cloonacool should be better than Johns but a close one. Thankfully Tubber have withdrawn before being thrown out but there probably is no need for 10 in Junior A, 8 is more than enough.

Sligoman1234 (Sligo) - Posts: 593 - 08/09/2025 18:19:31    2635376

Molaise beating DRP was an upset but DRP were already guaranteed top spot some I am sure they rested any players carrying any knocks. Molaise will be disappointed with their performance but as mentioned previously all doesn't seem well in that camp, interesting to see what the winter holds for the management team and squad. Mary's looked impressive against Tubber, their semi final against Shamrock Gaels should be a cracker. SG laboured to a win against Harps, have they peaked too soon again? Hard to call their game v Mary's but if they kick as many wides as they did the last day, they'll struggle. Coolera completely dominated Easky and have got more minutes in the legs of crucial players. We will now see how good these DRP young guns are in the semi-final, should be another cracker and equally hard to call. Easky look destined for the trap door, 3 points is a very poor showing in any championship match, too many lads away and they just don't have the squad depth, maybe so many years of juggling both codes and long seasons has caught up on a few of them.

I presume Coolaney rested some players otherwise it's a very strange result, as mentioned by another poster Calry have gotten their act together and have a very strong spine, O'Boyle back is a huge boost and they will cause C/M problems. The other semi final is very hard to call similiar to SG in senior, have Enniscrone ran out of steam? Ballymote are on the crest of a wave and fair play to them, they won't fear Ennsicone in the semi. The relegation is equally hard to call, all teams have been hot and cold the season, Pat's with a full team and winter football coming could beat Castleconor, OMG and Geevagh is very hard to call. Should be an interesting couple of weeks.

laochragael (Sligo) - Posts: 11 - 09/09/2025 08:56:33    2635422

Ye are truly in for a clinker of semi finals . Perosnlly I hope drp pull through this year . There youth are usually showing there talent this year . The O'Brien's , smith, gillen, Keane are all showing there ability for the rosses point men . Hopefully freshers week dosent disrupt two quality games for ye . I will be tuning in from lovely Leitrim . Predicting a drp shamrock Gaels final . Too tight to call

tacosauce1968 (Leitrim) - Posts: 16 - 09/09/2025 17:52:49    2635490

eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 2233 - 14/09/2025 11:19:35    2636067

Well credit to Tourlestrane my forecast of their demise is premature for this year but my god Curry were woeful and if they play like that against Easkey most likely, they'll be in trouble. Yes conditions were poor and they were playing into the strong breeze in first half but it took them 15 minutes to register a score with the wind in the second half. Kelly and Egan played well for Tourlestrane.

Intermediate relegation looks like it provided a good spectacle given the high score. A big turn in fortune for Owenmore to go from Intermediate final to relegation one and if Castleconnor manage to beat Pats next week which is a possibility I think the Owenmore men will be heading back for Junior.

Will save predictions for later in the week but all very hard to call games well, with exception of Junior A.

Sligoman1234 (Sligo) - Posts: 593 - 14/09/2025 16:38:32    2636099

ChasingShadows (Sligo) - Posts: 62 - 14/09/2025 17:58:28    2636113

eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 2233 - 14/09/2025 21:52:36    2636169

Taypot (Sligo) - Posts: 203 - 14/09/2025 22:04:23    2636171

ChasingShadows (Sligo) - Posts: 62 - 15/09/2025 09:32:54    2636192

eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 2233 - 15/09/2025 10:53:20    2636211

So gents & ladies

Senior predictions for the semi finals?

Both very close calls but i am going for DRP & St Marys

DRP as i think they are young & exciting & Coolera haven't hit the heights of this time last year.

Marys as i think Gaels are coming into it after just 1 competive game all summer.....

Thoughts?

Eddie_irvine (Sligo) - Posts: 1 - 16/09/2025 20:31:10    2636489

Shamrock G should be favorites with their talent and age profile but they still have not delivered seriously in championship to get to a final. Mary's are unpredictable and can blow hot and cold but have players who have been there even if it was a decade ago. I'll go with gaels. DRP have been the team that has delivered in group stages over the years but not in knock out. Coolera the team who have shown they know how to grind out wins when needed so they get the nod. Tubber to beat Easkey. If Curry are as bad as last weekend Easkey have a chance in relegation final.

MrUnderhill (Sligo) - Posts: 113 - 16/09/2025 23:14:33    2636502

Predictions for weekend

Senior Semi Finals
On form Shamrock Gaels should be too strong for Marys, yes they cruised through the group stages after a tough battle at the start but that is as much due to their scoring prowess as anything. Mary's have had a tougher battle but I still think Gaels have enough to take them narrowly and book a final spot for the first time this century!

I'm going to back Coolera against DRP but only just. Wouldn't be surprised if this is a draw after 60 mins, (I assume there's extra time?). Think Coolera are peaking at the right time and while Drumcliffe have been excellent with great young talent outfield, I think Coolera have been down this road too many times and will know how to curtail their key lads. Coolera to win out narrowly by end of the afternoon in what is the pick of the two games I feel.

Senior Relegation: Well after scoring just 3 points against Coolera it's hard to see anything but Easkey being beat here by Tubber.

Intermediate Relegation: Very tough game to call but Castleconnor upset Bunninadden and Mullinabreena so it has to count for something and I'll give them the pick ever so slightly.

Junior Semi Finals: Michael's should dispense of Eastern Harps but it'll not be easy considering the Harps managed to get 2nd spot in Div 3. However Michael's seem to have it their act together after a few years in the junior wilderness. Johns and Cloonacool is the better of the two semis but again on league form and past attempts I think Cloonacool should work them.

Sligoman1234 (Sligo) - Posts: 593 - 17/09/2025 08:22:36    2636523

If as expected Tubber beat Easkey in the relegation semi final and with Curry already there it will confirm that Group 1 was much weaker than group 2. Can we conclude from that, that Shamrock Gaels have not had any meaningful game since they beat Coolera. They did very well to beat Coolera but that's a long time ago now. Mary's normally don't like playing football too far away from the town but the venue will suit them. They beat Tubber there a few weeks ago and also beat Drumcliffe last year to knock them out and take their place in the semis. I think it will be a very close game but I picked Gaels to win the championship from the outset so I will stick with them. Drumcliffe have surprised me and they are in the semis on merit. They are coming up against a hardened Coolera team. Coolera had a poor league and after losing the first championship match have really knuckled down and are flying at the moment. I think they will beat Drumcliffe.
Castleconnor to win intermediate relegation and Cloonacool and Harp's to win the Junior semi finals

eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 2233 - 17/09/2025 11:42:58    2636553

Senior Semi Finals. St Marys to beat Shamrock Gaels, these games are usually very tight. Agree on your post that Sham Gaels did not have any tough game since the first game and I feel this will go against them on Sat.
Coolera v DRP. This could go all the way, can see this game ending up in a draw with Coolera winning in ET or replay.
Is there extra time or replay?

Senior Relegation: Tubber to have an easy win.

Intermediate Relegation: Castleconnor to beat St Pats.

Junior Semi Finals: St Michaels to beat Harps but agree Harps second team has plenty of youth and decent footballers. Second game will be a lot closer and think Cloonacool will have enough to get over the line.

RealSouthSligo (Sligo) - Posts: 138 - 17/09/2025 12:31:34    2636563

Shamrock Gales should beat Marys. Both teams are very good going forward but i think Gaels have the edge around the middle and in defense. Gaels have a habit of losing close knockout championship semi finals in the last few years, they need to mentally get over that to get a place in the final.

Drumcliffe have been impressive and they need to try and play the game on their terms - fast and kick it long into Lally. Midfield battle will be crucial, Coolera very strong around there with 2 Dohertys and Banks -tentative vote for Drumcliffe

Anto (Sligo) - Posts: 394 - 17/09/2025 14:36:24    2636589

S Gaels will beats Mary's by 5 to 6 points.
Mary's on paper look good but have few lads in their 30's, I expect S Gaels to come with high intensity and especially 2nd half to just overpower them. They have to much pace in the half back line and forward line to hold over 60 mins.

Coolera will beat Drumcliff by 3points in a much tighter game.
Coolera overall physical power and mental toughness will grind out the win.

sillymoocow (Sligo) - Posts: 7 - 18/09/2025 13:48:46    2636665