Kennedy’s Intermediate Championship

Round 2

Bunninadden vs St John’s

In what is arguably the game of the weekend in the Kennedys Intermediate Championship, Saturday’s clash of Bunninadden and St John’s in Group One (Markievicz Park, 5.45pm) will tell a lot about two of the would-be contenders for the intermediate crown.

Both sides will have aims to go all the way, and this game should give a much clearer picture of how Group One may pan out.

St John’s, even without Eoin Flanagan and Charlie Harrison, still possess a squad capable of winning an intermediate title, but their credentials will be given a stern test here by Bunninadden who opened their campaign with a draw against Shamrock Gaels last weekend.

Bunninadden let an eight-point lead slip against the Gaels, but a draw still leaves them in a good position to progress.

St John’s had a comfortable opener against St Patrick’s with a 3-18 to 1-6 win, but will know this will be a far tougher test.

Don’t rule out another draw.

Geevagh vs Owenmore Gaels

The clash of Geevagh and Owenmore Gaels in Ballymote this Saturday evening (7.30pm) would, to many, look a foregone conclusion.

Geevagh are regarded as one of the favourites for intermediate honours – and rightly so – and Owenmore Gaels are only back to intermediate level following two years in the Junior ‘A’ ranks.

That said, the Collooney-based side have made good strides and retained their Division Two status earlier this year.

However, their draw with Ballymote last week in a cracking game will feel like a loss, after they conceded a last-ditch goal.

The concession of four goals in that game would indicate some defensive frailties that Geevagh could be well placed to exploit.

Jodie O’Reilly had a superb hour against Castleconnor last weekend, while Kenneth Sweeney and Daithi O’Reilly were also influential.

Pat Hughes was an absentee last weekend, but you would still expect Geevagh to come through in this tie to secure a quarter-final berth.

Ballymote vs Castleconnor

The meeting of Ballymote and Castleconnor at Cloonacool Community Park on Saturday at 7.30pm is an interesting game to look forward to.

Ballymote have struggled so far this year – they haven’t won a single game in any competition – but their battling draw against Owenmore Gaels last weekend would indicate that the tide is beginning to turn.

They led in that game for long periods, and with Mark Irwin and Conor Meehan impressive, they could cause Castleconnor problems.

The west Sligo men lost to Geevagh in a game they could have won, and the pressure is on here to get a result.

Despite Ballymote’s rejuvenation, Castleconnor should get over the line with the experience of Kevin Langan and Eamonn Cawley still a major factor.

St.Molaise Gaels vs St.Farnan’s

St.Molaise Gaels are one of the favourites to return to Senior Championship football for 2017 and looked very impressive last weekend when they outclassed St. Mary’s second team.

The team itself looks to be in great condition and youngsters Alan McLoughlin and Cathal Herron seem to be enjoying their football at the moment under Jimmy Langan.

In Contrast Farnan’s had a poor start to this year’s league campaign but have changed management teams since that and have brought together some fine young footballers along with the experience of captain Matthew Lang who recently lifted the Benson Cup.

This could well be the game of the weekend in the Kennedy’s Intermediate Championship but you would think that the North Sligo side should have enough for victory in this one.  

Shamrock Gaels v St.Patrick’s

Shamrock Gaels go into the match on the back of last week’s draw where returning John Paul Henry ensured both Gaels and Bunninadden had a share of the spoils. A contrasting result for the men from the west as St.Pats were well beaten by St.John’s last weekend.

St.Pats will be expected to have a response in them and will hope key forward Padraic Clarke can bring his A game with him this weekend.

Meanwhile Gaels will be confident that they can deliver the win and hope they can get enough scores to come away with the result.

Enniscrone /Kilglass v St.Mary’s

The meeting of Enniscrone/Kilglass is the final game of the weekend in the Intermediate Championship and it’s an important fixture for both sides on Sunday afternoon.

The men from the west will be disappointed that they didn’t come away with a result against neighbours St.Farnan’s while Mary’s second team were outclassed by St. Molaise Gaels .

Enniscrone will be expected to win this one against a Mary’s side low in confidence following last week’s defeat and a win for Enniscrone is most likely but Mary’s will be more competitive this time around.