Though there have been a fair few one-sided affairs up to this juncture, of the sixteen teams in the Galway Senior Hurling Championship, only one team, Oranmore/Maree, has nothing riding on this weekend.
Brian O’Connell’s side sit top of the group and are assured of a quarter-final. For everyone else, incredibly, they all still have a chance of reaching the knockouts. Setting up an extremely interesting weekend of action.
Group 1
Moycullen v Gort
A straight shootout here: the winner qualifies for the preliminary quarter-finals and the loser is consigned to a relegation playoff.
In the event of a draw, Gort hold the edge with a superior scoring difference. Gort were much improved against Athenry, and a similarly bright start could be half the battle. Moycullen, who suffered heavily at the hands of St Thomas’, will be sweating over the availability - potentially the defining factor - of key figures such as Colm Cunningham, Diarmuid Davoren and Fionn McDonagh.
Prediction: Gort
St Thomas' v Athenry
What an opportunity this is for Athenry on their return to senior. After two wins from two, they can try to bloody the nose of the competition’s kingpins of the past decade, safe in the knowledge they have knockout hurling regardless of the result.
Oisin Flannery’s knee injury is a major blow for Thomas’, but on paper you would still expect them to have too much experience for Athenry who had Jason Rabbitte impress versus Gort. Top spot in the group and a quarter-final berth is the prize for the victors.
Prediction: St Thomas'
Group 2
Killimordaly v Kilconieron
Although both teams have been beaten twice, Kilconieron can take a lot more from their performances. Youngsters like Oscar O’Gorman, Eamon McGlynn and Eoghan Mulleady continue to develop at this level and will only improve.
Killimordaly were torn asunder by champions Loughrea last time out. If Kilconieron can somewhat curtail Brian Concannon and Brian Burke, it will go a long way towards securing two points and a place in the preliminary quarter-final.
Prediction: Kilconieron
Loughrea v Craughwell
A win or a draw will see Loughrea into the final eight as group winners, whereas only a win will improve Craughwell’s current second place.
After a shaky start versus Kilconieron, the holders flexed their muscles last time out, hitting Killimordaly for 4-25, including a brace for the returning Anthony Burns. Craughwell, under Ian Daniels, will be quietly content, building nicely with youngsters such as Ciaran Leen and Nigel Kelly to the fore. Like Athenry in Group 1, it is a free hit for Craughwell, but expect Loughrea to be too strong.
Prediction: Loughrea
Group 3
Ardrahan v Turloughmore
Pointless Ardrahan will require their best performance in a long, long time to stave off the threat of a relegation battle.
Turlough, after a poor opening-round performance, looked back to their best when they hit Castlegar for 5-29, with Cillian Whelan and co running amok. Injury-hit Ardrahan were on the receiving end of a similar hiding from Clarinbridge, conceding 6-28. Even with absentees returning, it is difficult to see Ardrahan having much hope here.
Prediction: Turloughmore
Clarinbridge v Castlegar
Repeat performances from either side of their last outing, and this could get very ugly. Clarinbridge are the most in-form team in the competition, whereas Castlegar come in on the back of a 27-point hiding in a horror-show defeat to Turloughmore.
Clarinbridge, who appear destined for top spot, have accumulated 11-49 across two games. With the goal threat of Aaron Niland, Josh Ryan, and Mark Kennedy, even Cashel’s sweeper system looks unlikely to stop the floodgates. The deteriorating conditions could help Castlegar, who were heavily reliant on veteran Ger Farragher and Darragh Neary last time out.
Prediction: Clarinbridge
Group 4
Cappataggle v Sarsfields
The tie of the weekend as two East Galway neighbours put it all on the line.
Cappy won this battle when the sides met in the quarter-finals last October but have not come close to replicating the form that took them all the way to the county final. Sarsfields, without being overly impressive, breezed past Tommy Larkins in round two. Alex Connaire’s return provided a noticeable boost for a side missing Joseph Cooney. Tight, but Sarsfields to do just enough.
Prediction: Sarsfields
Oranmore/Maree v Tommy Larkins
With Oranmore/Maree already qualified, how they manage this game will be very interesting. Especially with an U-20 A final against Loughrea pencilled in for the following Thursday. Could this lack of jeopardy open a window of opportunity for Larkins to sneak into the knockouts?
Perhaps. They will need a massive improvement after their sluggish display last time out, where two late Jason Flynn goals merely added some respectability to a one-sided affair.
Prediction: Oranmore/Maree
