For many school children across the county and country this week, mixed emotions begin with heightened expectations of the closing stages of the championships clashing with the dismay of the reopening of schools. The Adult County football quarter finals are no exception with several mouth-watering local derbies on the agenda. The verdicts are set to cause heated debate.
On Saturday, Wexford Park hosts a double header. The opening game features St Anne’s and the Shelmaliers. The Shelmaliers, who have flair inthe championship to date thanks to powerful displays by AJ Lehane and Craig McCabe, started the year on a low after Castletown crumbled the Shel’schampionship hopes with a seventeen point defeat. The Anne’s topped their group and it’s easy to see how with Liam Óg McGovern, Diarmuid O’ Keefe and Redmond Barry showing great dexterity on the field. The game begins in Wexford Park at4:30pm. VERDICT: St Anne’s.
Following that clash, at 6pm the curtain is raised for what’sset to be the tightest of the four pairs. St Martins of Wexford town face reigning county champions Horeswood. St Martins are convincing with Daithí Waters as strong midfielder and Ciarán Lyng as a lively attacker. ThePiercestown club are on a recent high after their defeat of table toppers Castletown. The Horeswood side are known for improving as the season progresses with PJ Banville performing as the star man for the rural club continuously. With two evenly strong sides, it’s probable that a low number of points will lie betweenthe sides. VERDICT: Horeswood
Sunday’s double header is hosted by Bellefield in Enniscorthy. Gusserane play the Sarsfields in another evenly matched affair. Paul Murphy, Lee Chin and Jason Murphy all are the Wexford town’s side keyforwards. Likewise, Gusserane’s “panther” will be ready to pounce. Adrian Flynn; a skilled footballer who swivels his way through any defence always manages to find the net when his club need it most. This is another game that the smallest of margins could separate. VERDICT: Gusserane.
The closing game of the day is the age old rivalry between two Gorey District football clubs; Castletown and Kilanerin. John Hegarty,Denis Jones and Matty Forde for Kilanerin should be shown up by last years losing finalists with James Holmes, Brendan Halpin and Conor Carty performing extremely well. Kilanerin could be “marooned” by Castletown on this occasion. VERDICT:Castletown
In Intermediate ranks, St James’, Ferns, Glynn Barntown and HWH Bunclody should outclass Craanford, Starlights, Bannow Ballymitty and Ballyhogue. Meanwhile in Intermediate ‘A’ Naomh Eanna, Cloughbawn, St Mary’s Maudlintown and Kilmore seem worthy winners over Ballygarrett, Marshalstown,Geraldine O Hanrahans and St Fintan’s.
With some tasty pairings already lined up, the championships of 2012 are set to ignite over the coming weeks. Be there to witness it.
‘The Briar’
