Gaelic Games : Club Championship Previews

Munster SHC Quarter-Final

Ballygunner v St Joseph's Doora-Barefield (Sunday, Walsh Park, 2.30)- IT HASN'T been a good month for some of the powers in club hurling. Already gone from their championships are Galway's Athenry and Kilkenny's Graigue Ballycallan, after both fell to less-fancied opposition in their county finals.

St Joseph's will have heeded that warning as they begin their Munster campaign tomorrow against Waterford champions Ballygunner. After winning their third Clare title in five years, St Joseph's start as favourites, a tag reinforced by Waterford's poor record against Clare opposition.

Team coach and Clare selector Louis Mulqueen reckons his side has now reached a new maturity. The team is free from injury, and still built on the likes of Sean McMahon, Ollie Baker, James O'Connor and Joe Considine. Corner forward Colm Mullen has also shown fiery form this season.

Ballygunner captain Billy O'Sullivan broke into an inspiring speech after his side won their ninth Waterford title last month, calling for the county to unite and conquer all the way to Croke Park next September. There's no doubt a win over the Clare side would help sustain that sort of motivation and increase the pulse of new county manager Justin McCarthy. With five solid weeks of preparation for this game, the Waterford side are certainly capable of progressing. Veteran defender Fergal Hartley, Stephen Frampton and Paul Flynn are part of this experienced outfit.

MUNSTER SFC FIRST ROUND

Drom-Broadford v Stradbally (Saturday, Dromcollogher, 2.30) - WATERFORD are also involved in the first round of the Munster football championship today, with Stradbally meeting Limerick champions Drom-Broadford.

Stradbally are still on a high after last weekend's replay win over Rathgormack and although it's been 14 years since their last appearance in the Munster championship they should prove too strong for Drom-Broadford, who took the Limerick title in only their second year as a senior club.

Nemo Rangers v Doonbeg (Saturday, Pβirc U∅ Rinn, 2.30) - COLIN CORKERY inspired Nemo Rangers to a defence of the Cork title earlier this month with a 0-10 contribution to the heavy defeat inflicted on Bantry Blues. His form alone should be enough to topple the Clare champions, who did manage to reverse their fate of last year when defeating Eire ╙g, Ennis in their county final.

LEINSTER SFC FIRST ROUND

Garrycastle v St Anne's (Saturday, Athlone, 4.0) - THERE'S a good chance Westmeath's momentum will continue here. Dessie Dolan inspired Garrycastle to their first county title last month and despite their lack of experience at this level, they should provide a severe test for the Wexford champions.

O'Hanrahans v Muckalee (Sunday, Carlow, 3.0) - IT'S worth sparing a thought there for Michael Dempsey, who is the manager of both sides. No doubt neutrality will prevail, as will O'Hanrahans, the current Carlow and Leinster champions.

Rathnew v Newtown Blues (Sunday, Aughrim. 3.0) - HOME advantage is always worth a couple of points to Wicklow champions Aughrim and that should help see off the Louth challenge.

Portarlington v Fr Manning Gaels (Sunday, Portarlington, 3.0) - IT'S hard to argue with the record of the Longford champions, who last month won their fourth county title in six years. With Padraig Davis still scoring at will, the Laois champions will have to search harder for the win.

ULSTER SFC FIRST ROUND

Cavan Gaels v St Eunan's, Letterkenny (Sunday, Breffni Park, 3.0) - BACK in the provincial championship for the first time in 23 years, the Cavan side is built on youth, with 11 of the team currently in the under-21 ranks. They do, however, also have the experience of Mickey Graham to look towards.

The Donegal champions fell heavily to Bellaghy two years ago but have used that experience to rebuild. The form of star forward Brendan Devenney with the Irish International Rules squad in Australia should be enough to see them through.

CONNACHT SFC PRELIMINARY REPLAY

Allen Gaels v St Mary's (Saturday, Carrick-on-Shannon, 2.0) - HUGH GIBBONS rescued Allen Gaels of Leitrim last weekend with three late pointed frees but the Sligo champions still seem to have the extra bit of class.

CONNACHT SHC QUARTER-FINAL

Tubbercurry v Belmullet (Saturday, 3.30); The battle of the Sligo and Mayo champions. Take your pick.

KERRY SFC FINAL

An Gaeltacht v Austin Stacks (Sunday, Killarney, 3.0): In years gone by this would have been viewed as David against Goliath. An Gaeltacht, however, have strengthened considerably in recent seasons and are now poised to win their first senior title.

Team captain Darragh ╙ SΘ returned early from Australia for the final preparations and is joined here by Dara ╙ CinnΘide and Aodhan Mac Gearailt. Austin Stacks may find a more hungry opposition too much to handle.