………….but the dual clubs will surely find the going tough
By Brendan McTaggart
It’s been on the lips and thoughts of many for a while. The GAA season and championship.
Will they, won’t they, they might, maybe, it’s a possibility. They are.
We have the green light and it’s all systems go from 31st July for the championship as we get to live and breathe a condensed championship, one like we have not seen before.
Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship
The senior hurling championship retains the two groups of four format but the introduction of a quarter-final and an incentive to finish top of the group is something that’s been called for from the past two seasons – the team who finishes first go straight to the last four and an extra week break.
Reigning champions, Dunloy have a home fixture with Ballycastle on the opening weekend followed by matches in Rossa Park and the Whiterock Road. Dunloy sit as the bookies favourites and will be tipped by many to finish top. They haven’t played St Johns or Ballycastle in the championship since 2017 when they defeated them enroute to claiming the Volunteer Cup. All eyes will be on the Belfast Derby with Rossa and St Johns locking horns on match day one while Ballycastle will be hoping for a better turn in fortunes in the championship. Their meeting with Rossa will be a repeat of the preliminary two legged affair from last year.
The big guns open up Group 2 with The Shamrocks hosting Cushendall on 9th August – the first time they’ve met in the championship since the 2018 final. Both have blooded plenty of fresh talent in recent seasons and will be fancy their chances of a direct route to the last four. This match will go a long way in determining who does just that. An intriguing match-up – first up.
The Intermediate champions from the past two seasons make up the final pairing of Group 2 with St Galls and Naomh Éanna joining the north Antrim giants. Their contest on 9th August at the Hightown Road could be pivotal in determining who claims the second quarter-final place with the Ruairi’s and Loughgiel heavy favourites to take the first two places.
If we’re not going to have knockout championship straight away, then this is the way forward. I like the fact there’s incentive for finishing top and the introduction of a quarter-final offers something different. Sunday 13th September is pencilled in for the final.
The Andersonstown Social Club Intermediate Hurling Championship
The Intermediate hurling championship is the most open championship of them all in both codes. In hurling, there will be three groups of three teams with the whoever finishes top advancing to the semi-finals and the best placed runner up from the three groups joining them. It could be a case of reaching for our calculators for figuring that one out but again, it keeps every matchup intriguing and no dead-rubbers.
Last years beaten finalists Carey are in a group with Creggan and Sarsfields. Who finishes top and progresses there is anyone’s guess. Armoy, St Brigids Cloughmills and Tir na nOg make up group two while Glenariffe, Clooney Gaels and last years’ Junior champions, Gort na Mona make up group three.
Semi-finals are down for September 5th and they are played to a finish – a side note to this, extra time and penalties can be used if required. We’ll just leave that thought there.
I’ll make no brave or bold predictions. A condensed campaign with dual clubs every corner you turn, it’s a minefield for any of the ‘experts’ or pundits.
The Casements Social Club Junior Hurling Championship
The junior championship has been revamped with the introduction of a ‘Plate’ competition – effectively the Junior B. Three groups of three and one of four with the top two in each progressing to the quarter-final and the five teams that remain playing in the Plate.
Group two looks the toughest to call with Con Magees paired with Lamh Dhearg and and St Teresa’s. All three teams with championship pedigree at this level. Champions from two years ago, Cushendun will be the favourites for the title and if they top their group with St Agnes’ and Loch Mor dal gCais, they will face one of that trio in the quarters.
Rasharkin, All Saints and Ardoyne make up group four while St Paul’s, Davitts, Glenarm and last years Junior B champions Latharna Og will contest Group One.
Semi-finals are scheduled for 5th September and the final a week later.
The Northern Switchgear Senior Football Championship
The senior football championship has a group stage format with three groups of three and one group of four. It’s a hectic schedule with midweek matches and starting on 31st July, the group stages finish on Wednesday 26th August.
The top two of each group qualify for the quarter-finals – played four days later and the last four a week later. Whoever qualifies for the final will have a two week break and eyes on Sunday 20th September.
Champions for the past two seasons and four of the past five, Cargin are drawn with Aghagallon, Aldergrove and St Brigids. Three of the last four Intermediate champions along with the team to beat for the past number of years, the Erin’s Own men will have a bullseye target on their back. All three sides will relish the challenge of Cargin with Damian Cassidy taking his side to Crumlin for the first match on the opening night of the championship.
Creggan, Portglenone and Ahoghill make up Group One and an all South-West threesome. Portglenone made it to the semi-finals last year after an epic run which had excitement and controversy in equal measure. Everything you want in championship football and they entertained any neutrals who happened to be in attendance in their games against St Johns and saga versus Lamh Dhearg.
Last years’ beaten finalists Lámh Dhearg are grouped together with Rossa and St John’s. The Red Hands and Johnnies match a repeat of the 2017 final and the Hannahstown men will be hoping to go one further than last year when they pushed Cargin all the way in their two matches.
St Gall’s, Naomh Éanna and Gort na Mona make up Group Four – the Gorts making another bid in the senior championship after consolidating their place in division 1 last year. St Gall’s have the experience to mount a challenge while the Hightown Road men will want to build on their Intermediate success of 2018 after a disjointed 2019 season. Gorts travel to the Hightown Road for their return to the senior championship and will relish the challenge of playing at the top table.
If Cargin are to retain their crown, they will have six full blooded championship matches in the space of seven weeks. The ‘joy’ of being drawn in the four teamed group. With the winner of each group seeded for the 2021 championship, there are no dead rubbers and all to play for in what promises to be an actioned packed championship.
The LOCC Intermediate Football Championship
The Intermediate Championship sees two groups of six or the ‘super sixes’ with each sides playing each other once. The top two sides from each section qualify for the semi-final with the group stages played out from 31st July to 19th August. The last three group matches are played on a Wednesday night with a two and a half week break from the end of the Super Sixes to the semi’s.
Last years’ beaten finalists Moneyglass are in with Dunloy, Sarsfiields, Davitts, Glenavy and Glenravel. They will welcome Sarsfields and Dunloy to their patch but travel to Glenavy on the opening night.
The second group sees St Teresa’s making a return to the Intermediate championship along with last years Junior champions St Pats, Lisburn. St Paul’s, Randalstown, All Saints and Rasharkin complete Group Two and all sides will fancy their chances.
It’s another hectic schedule for these sides. Two groups of six with no quarter-finals puts major emphasis on every game from the off. Whoever follows in Aldergrove’s footsteps from last year will have to win seven championship matches in the space of seven weeks. No easy task and there is sure to be tired bodies by the time the sides reach the final on 19th September.
The GYMCO Junior Football Championship
The Junior Championship is similar to the Intermediate grade but the two groups have five teams this year.
Last years beaten finalists, Ardoyne are in a group with St Comgall’s, O’Donnell’s, Eire Og and Mitchell’s. The Kickhams men will start the group as favourites for the semi’s but there’s no easy matches here. I expect a few twists and turns in this group before the group stage finishes on August 19.
St Malachy’s, Lochra Loch Lao, Na Piarsaigh, Ballycastle and St Agnes’ make up Group One and the Market Men will start that group as favourites to make the semi’s. Ballycastle’s fortunes may depend on their hurlers fortunes while the Aggies and Pearses will all be in with a shout of making the last four.
