Senior Football Championship Round 3 Preview

By Anthony Shelly

There are three things in life that are notoriously hard to predict; human behaviour, the Irish weather and the outcome of Gaelic Football matches so as we approach do-or-die time in next weekend’s final round of group games in the Tipperary Senior Football Championship, it might seem like an act of extreme folly to try to predict the outcomes as there is probably only one thing we can be sure of—expect the unexpected.

Kilsheelan-Kilcash, Clonmel Commercials, Loughmore/Castleiney and Moyle Rovers are already qualified, leaving ten teams battling it out for the remaining four quarterfinals. While all ten teams can still qualify, the relegation play-offs is also still a possibility for all so the losers of next weekend’s games will be keeping an eye on the other results because with three teams due to be relegated this year, losing at the weekend could put you in a tight corner.

Group 1

At Leahy Park, Cashel on Saturday, Aherlow take on Cahir in one of the many games that could go either way. A win or a draw for Aherlow would see them qualify for the quarter-final while a win for Cahir could see them progress but that would be dependent on the result of the other game between Ballyporeen and Kilsheelan/Kilcash.

Aherlow and Cahir last clashed in the 2022 relegation final when an injury time goal secured Cahir their senior status and relegated the Glen men to intermediate football. Both teams have suffered heavy defeats to Kilsheelan-Kilcash in this year’s championship but neither team would have targeted that game as potential win so the only line of form we have to go on is their games against Ballyporeen when Aherlow won by six points while Cahir drew.

But all of the above will mean nothing come Saturday. Like in 2022 this game could go right to the wire but based on what I have seen of both teams so far this year, I’m giving the nod to Aherlow to just about come out on top.

Kilsheelan-Kilcash take on Ballyporeen in the other Group 1 game in Clonmel Sportsfield. The already qualified Kilsheelan have been extremely impressive so far scoring 9-32 in their opening two games and it’s hard to see anything but a comfortable win for them in this game.

Unless they can cause a major upset in this game, Ballyporeen will be anxiously keeping an eye on the proceedings in Cashel where an Aherlow can win by more than six points would move the Bally boys ahead of Cahir in the table and save their senior status for another year.

Predictions: Winners - Kilsheelan-Kilcash Runner-up – Aherlow; Relegation Play-Off - Cahir

Group 2

Clonmel Commercials should pick up a third win from three when they play Grangemockler/Ballyneale in Monroe on Sunday.

This is not a game Grangemockler can have any realistic prospects of winning so no doubt they will be on the lookout for updates on the other game between Ballina and Ardfinnan.

A win for Ballina sees them through to the quarter-final and sends Ardfinnan into the relegation play-offs. A win for Ardfinnan will most likely see three teams on 2 points each with the quarter-final spot and the relegation play-off spot being decided on score difference in games between Ballina, Grangemockler-Ballyneale and Ardfinnan only.

Predictions: Winners - Clonmel Commercials Runner-up – Ballina; Relegation Play-Off - Ardfinnan

Group 3

The format of six team group 3 sees the top four teams qualify for the quarterfinals with the bottom two teams heading to the relegation play-offs.

Loughmore-Castleiney take on Moyle Rovers on Saturday and with both teams already qualified the winners securing a seed 1 placing for the quarter-final draw.

These two teams met in last year’s semi-final where the Mid men ran out comfortable winners but expect this to be a much tighter affair with both teams having been impressive in their opening games.

Upperchurch/Drombane and JK Brackens will qualify for the quarter-final with a win over Arravale Rovers and Killenaule respectively but a loss for either could also see them facing into the relegation play-offs.

Upperchurch/Drombane face Arravale on Saturday in Dundrum. The Mid men will deservedly start favourites after their impressive win over Killenaule in round 2 but they won’t have it all their own way against an Arravale side who, despite losing their opening two games, have admirably in both. Both teams lost to Moyle Rovers by five points and that might be an indication of how tight this might be.

JK Brackens take on Killenaule in Gortnahoe on Saturday. The Templemore men started the year in good form reaching the league finals in both hurling and football and winning the Mid senior hurling title but since then their form has been trending downwards so they will need to get back on the horse again not only with a win but also with a good performance.

They won’t get it all their own way against Killenaule who are in last chance saloon in their attempts to avoid the relegation play-offs but while their form to-date suggests they might be heading to the playoffs, historically there is never much between these sides.

Predictions: Winners - Loughmore/Castleiney; Runner-up – Upperchurch/Drombane; Third Place - Moyle Rovers; Fourth Place - JK Brackens; Relegation Play-Offs - Arravale Rovers & Killenaule