Predicting this Junior competition is almost impossible; there seems to be no consistency whatsoever. What it does make for is a lot of excitement, some teams will be knocked out for certain after this weekend but, generally, the groups are still really up in the air which is great for the neutral.
Junior A Group 1
Askeaton vs Doon 2
Patrickswell 2 vs Feenagh/Kilmeedy
Monaleen 2 vs Mungret/St. Paulās 2
Doon got a great win against the Well last day out to keep them in the hunt but probably need a favour from the Well against Feenagh/Kilmeedy. Askeaton had a good win on the first day and are now out of the football, so can focus entirely on hurling if they so wish. They might give Doon a bit of a rattle but I think the formlines would suggest that Doon will win this one, Iāll say by 5 points. The Well are practically out, which is a shock after being county finalists last year. However, if they beat Feenagh/Kilmeedy, it could open up the group for Doon to sneak through in second place. F/K have two tough games to play but have been decent so far. Iāve backed the Well in every game so far and theyāve only won one, Iām going to switch to F/K here and say theyāll win by 2. Mungret will hammer Monaleen to seal their place in the knockout stages; Mungret by 18.
Junior A Group 2
St. Kieranās vs Monagea
St. Patrickās vs Garryspillane 2
Kilteely/Dromkeen vs Ahane 2
This group was thrown open last weekend by the Kilteely/Dromkeen vs Monagea result and it means that 4 of the 6 teams are on 4 points, the Bouncers are on 2 and Ahane are on 0. So really, itās anyoneās group. This is the big round as regards qualification, whoever gets the wins this weekend will be in pole position. So at least one of Kieranās & Monagea wonāt be on 6 points; Kieranās bounced back from an opening weekend hammering to beat Patās, while Monagea also bounced back from a poor result against Patās to beat K/D. Almost impossible to call this, both are now out of the football, a West derby, should be a cracker in Knockaderry on Saturday. Iād go draw if I could, but Iāll tip Monagea by 1. I do think that Patās will win against Garryspillane; they should have too much for them. Patās by 9. And, similarly, Ahane have actually done alright in some matches but K/D will bounce back to win this by 12. Will make for a very interesting final round though, Patās vs K/D to come.
Junior A Group 3
Ballybricken/Bohermore vs Crecora/Manister
Old Christians vs Templeglantine
Dromcollogher/Broadford vs Caherline
Ballybricken/Bohermore have reigned supreme in this group so far, the only team to go three from three and that would not have been expected at the outset. One more win this weekend should see them through, but Crecora have bounced back from a loss to Drom to get two wins in a row and certainly wonāt fear B/B. Cathal OāNeill did the business the last day and will have to be minded. I havenāt tipped B/B in any of their tight matches yet, and Iām leaning towards Crecora this time but Iāll look fair stupid if B/B keep up their form and win again. Still, Iām going for the CON factor to see Crecora through by 2. Templeglantine had an awful start with two defeats but then could possibly have ended Dromās hopes by beating them comprehensively last weekend. Glantine will beat the struggling Christians by 12 or so, but it might be too little, too late. Caherline had started well but slipped up against B/B, they now really need to beat D/B. Itās very hard to see last yearās county semi-finalists, D/B, progress from this group, even with Christians to play but to give themselves any chance, they have to win here. Very hard to call, on paper I would say that D/B have more in them but it now probably means more to Caherline. Iāll go for Caherline by 1.
Junior A Group 4
Rathkeale vs Killeedy
Claughaun vs Staker Wallace
Castletown/Ballyagran vs Ballybrown 2
Rathkeale and Killeedy face off tonight in Mick Neville Park (allowed because itās not Rathkeale GAAās home ground). Rathkeale caused a major upset to beat Ballybrown last week and now have two wins on the board. I still donāt see them beating Killeedy, even though Ballybrown beat Killeedy well. Again, this group sees three teams on 4 points, and one on 6, so itāll be a really tight finish. But I expect Killeedy to put themselves in pole position here, and to win by 7. Claughaun and Stakers are both on 0 points; Claughaun another side who were county semi-finalists last year who have massively underperformed this year. Claughaun should beat Stakers but thereāll be no knockouts for them this year. Claughaun by 9. Ballybrow were in a great place heading into the game against Rathkeale, with two good wins under their belt, but C/B have won every game so far and have been the only one of the real contenders to show consistency in this Championship. I donāt see them losing here, which will make the final round really interesting. Should be an interesting game though, C/B by 4.
1 up already
