*David Tubridy. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
WITH three ‘derby’ contests, the quarter final games in this weekend’s TUS senior football championship contain the ingredients for exciting ties.
It’s a huge weekend for football in the county as, in addition to the senior games, the quarter finals of the intermediate, junior A and junior B premier championships will take place as well as the relegation finals at both senior and intermediate levels.
With a new Jack Daly cup to be presented to the winners of the senior competition, there is sure to be some lively play.
There are few people better placed to give a view on the likely winners than Doonbeg’s David Tubridy. His native Doonbeg is the venue for the first of the quarter finals which sees near neighbours Kilmurry Ibrickane and St Joseph’s Miltown clash at 2pm this Saturday.
Miltown will feel the loss of Conor Cleary, he noted. “Conor Cleary is a huge loss to Miltown. Against us he won great ball around the middle of the field and gave a great supply to the forwards and to Cormac Murray. Given his absence I think Kilmurry will get through by a whisker but I won’t be surprised if it goes to extra time. Kilmurry know how to win and they have Keelan Sexton back this year”.
Later on Saturday evening the focus will be on Cusack Park when champions Cratloe will face Lissycasey. “Cratloe have proved that they can win. Against them we were on top for a lot of the second half but they found a way to win. Podge (Collins) is back to fitness which is a massive addition for them. The question is will legs catch them as they are chasing both titles. Lissycasey have a young team with fresh legs but Cratloe know how to win and I give them the nod to progress to the semi-finals”.
North Clare rivals St Breckan’s and Ennistymon will clash in Hennessy Memorial Park in Miltown Malbay on Sunday. “St. Breckans have more of a scoring threat, I feel and I expect them to outscore Ennistymon in what is likely to be a low scoring game. Padraig Kelly is a massive loss for St Breckans but they have Dale Masterson back this year and this is a huge addition. Ennistymon have been inconsistent and they had a lot of wides against Cratloe. I think St Breckans will get through here”.
Turning to the meeting of Éire Óg and St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield on Sunday in Cusack Park, David notes “Éire Óg are the hottest of favourites. They are going well and it’s hard to see anyone beating them. They were caught last year but I don’t see that happening this time. They have played most of the championship so far without three inter county players in Manus Doherty, Mark McInerrney and Gavin Murray and they are back now. They have found a few new players as well this year and they are out of the hurling now. They won’t fall into the same trap this year”.
Looking to the relegation final between Kilmihil and Corofin which takes place at Miltown Malbay on Sunday he said, “I think Kilmihil will stay up. The scoring threat from Ciaran Downes and Martin O’Leary allied to Dan Keating’s presence at midfield will be enough to see them win. They put us to the pin of our collar last week. Corofin have been waiting a month for this game which won’t help”.
Concluding the Doonbeg star commented, “it’s a big weekend for football. It’s disappointing that Mark (Fitzgerald) has gone but hopefully Clare can get someone in that can drive forward as there is a lot of young talent out there”.
