Progression to semi-finals ensures all final round football games are competitive
GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Football Championships Round 3 Preview
By Shane Brophy
Round 3 of the County Football Championships sees games taking place from Thursday to Sunday due to a combination of weddings in some clubs and the impact of the Electric Picnic Music Festival.
SENIOR
Group 1
Thursday, 27th August - Aherlow v Clonmel Commercials in Lattin @ 6.45pm.
Friday, 28th August - Ardfinnan v Ballina in Drombane @ 6.45pm.
Clonmel Commercials have already secured their knockout spot and have conceded neutral ground to play Aherlow who are confirmed as finishing bottom and will face into the relegation playoff.
It is winner takes all as Ardfinnan and Ballina battle it out for second place and with both having succumbed to Commercials in the second halves of their respective games, this should be a close contest. A draw will be enough for Ballina and they are good enough to avoid defeat.
GROUP 2 - Sunday, 30th August
Ballyporeen v Kilsheelan/Kilcash in Ardfinnan @ 2.00pm.
JK Brackens v Thurles Sarsfields at The Ragg @ 2.00pm.
Ballyporeen will face into the relegation battle and take on Kilsheelan/Kilcash with the latter guaranteed a knockout spot. In the other game, the winner of Thurles Sarsfields v JK Brackens will secure second place.
GROUP 3 - Saturday, 29th August
Grangemockler/Ballyneale v Moyle Rovers in Fethard @ 6.00pm.
Loughmore/Castleiney v Upperchurch/Drombane in Holycross @ 6.00pm.
Moyle Rovers have already secured a knockout spot and will be joined by the winners of Loughmore/Castleiney v Upperchurch/Drombane. Moyle Rovers face Grangemockler/Ballyneale who will contest the relegation play off.
- The outcomes of the so-called dead-rubber games remain important as the two best group winners advance directly to the semi-finals, while the remaining group winner will join the three group runners-up in the quarter finals. At the bottom of the groups, the lowest ranked of the three teams after the round robin games will go directly to the Relegation Final while the other two teams will meet in a semi-final.
INTERMEDIATE
GROUP 1 - Friday, 28th August
Cahir v Eire Og Annacarty/D in New Inn @ 6.45pm.
Fethard v Rockwell Rovers in Golden @ 6.45pm.
Éire Óg Annacarty need a win to avoid the relegation playoff. Rockwell Rovers are guaranteed a top two finish but their final position will depend on the results. Fethard and Cahir are battling it out for the remaining knockout spot.
GROUP 2 - Thursday, 27th August
Clonmel Og v Killenaule in Fethard @ 6.45pm.
Moyne-Templetuohy v Clonmel Commercials in Templetuohy @ 8.00pm.
Killenaule have already guaranteed top spot and face Clonmel Óg who will contest the relegation playoff. Moyne-Templetuohy and Clonmel Commercials will battle it out for second place in Templetuohy after Commercials conceded neutral ground to get the Thursday fixture.
GROUP 3 - Thursday, 27th August
Arravale Rovers v Galtee Rovers in Golden @ 6.45pm.
Golden Kilfeacle v Moycarkey/Borris in Tipperary Town @ 6.45pm.
The most competitive group sees Arravale Rovers and Golden Kilfeacle level on three points with Galtee Rovers just behind on two points. Moycarkey/Borris are bottom without a point and face the relegation playoff.
- The format is the same as senior football.
PREMIER JUNIOR FOOTBALL
Friday, 28th August
GROUP 1
Borrisokane v Loughmore/Castleiney in Templederry @ 6.45pm.
Carrick Swan v Sean Treacys in Duneske @ 6.45pm.
Four of the six teams will progress to the knockout stages, making the final round crucial.
Mullinahone are through on 5 points with Carrick Swan on 4 points with Borrisokane and Loughmore/Castleiney on 2 points with their game likely a knockout clash, provided Sean Treacys (1 point) don’t beat the Swan. JK Brackens are currently pointless and destined for the relegation final
GROUP 2
Clonoulty/Rossmore v Moyle Rovers in Bansha @ 6.45pm.
The winner will qualify for the quarter finals, while the loser will go into the Relegation Final, where they will face the bottom team from Group 1. Fr Sheehys have already topped the group.
The top two teams in Group 2 will progress to the quarter finals where they will face the third and fourth placed teams from Group 1. The top two teams in Group 1 will advance directly to the semi-finals.