Minor Championship set to begin

Back 11/08/2015 @ 15:01 | UnderAge | Minor Championship set to begin

Minor championship set to begin

Following the exploits of the Sligo minor team, the club scene is set to take precedence with the Sligo Minor Football Championship kicking off this evening (Tuesday).

Split into three tiers – Divisions One, Two and Three – the competition, as always, promises to be extremely competitive and the added spice of county players squaring off following their memorable run to the All-Ireland quarter-final will add a dash of colour to the underage set-up’s marquee competition.

Division One favourites St Mary’s begin their campaign with an away fixture against St Molaise Gaels this evening at Monsignor Hynes Park. Interestingly, this tie pits the Division One League winners (St Mary’s) against the Division One Shield winners (St Molaise Gaels), and although the Ballydoogan-based side will be regarded as favourites for this tie, and indeed the title – as they have been in recent years – they are likely to face severe resistance throughout.

Both sides are in group two of the draw, with Tourlestrane the third team.

The other side of the draw sees neighbours Easkey and St Farnan’s face off on Thursday evening at Castletown, Easkey. The home side have been promoted to the top tier following an impressive capture of the Division Two league title, while St Farnan’s reached the final of the Division One version last spring. Tubbercurry/Cloonacool are the other side in this group, and will be formidable opposition.

Division Two is the largest tier with 12 teams involved. Split into four groups of three, this promises to be an intriguing championship with all sides very evenly matched.

The opening round sees one of the form teams coming into the competition, Ballymote, face off against Shamrock Gaels at Corran Park, Castleconnor host Curry at Corballa, Enniscrone/Kilglass meet Drumcliffe/Rosses Point at Quigabar and Bunninadden are at home to Eastern Harps.

All of the above games are scheduled for Thursday evening with a 7pm throw-in time. The other teams competing in this section but not in action this week are Coolera/Strandhill, Calry/St Joseph’s, Owenmore Gaels and St Michael’s.

The Division Three championship is made up of four teams who will play off in a round-robin format. This opening round sees Geeevagh host St Patrick’s and Coolaney/Mullinabreena travel to take on St John’s. These games are also fixed for Thursday evening at 7pm.