Semi-final places up for grabs as championship action hots up

Gareth Cauldwell • Published 19 Aug 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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Eamon Maguire is a key figure for St. Pat’s as they look to progress through to the semi-finals.

Teemore v Roslea

The first quarter-final of the Quinn Insurance Fermanagh Senior Football Championship will see the clash of the Shamrocks, Teemore and Roslea in Lisnaskea on Saturday evening.

Both sides enter the championship on the back of superb performances in the preliminary round although it is Roslea’s thumping of league leaders Belcoo that has singled them out as early favourites for the New York Cup.

Peter McGinnity’s side were very impressive on that occasion as they easily saw off Belcoo in what was expected to be a close encounter, and if they can reproduce that type of performance again in Emmett Park on Saturday then it is hard not to see them moving into the last four of the competition.

They have a good blend of youth and experience and have quality performers throughout the pitch.

In the last round they smothered the Belcoo attack, getting men behind the ball and making it difficult for Belcoo to break them down while at midfield James Sherry and Kevin Cosgrove dominated, giving them a great platform.

Up front the Quigley brothers, Sean and Seamus along with Liam Lynch caused a lot of problems although they did not rely solely on those players for scores with eight players in all getting on the scoresheet.

Teemore, it has to be said, where also impressive winners in the opening round after comfortably seeing off Tempo and their direct play and physicality will certainly give Roslea something different to worry about, while the tighter surrounds of Emmett Park may also suit Peter Quinn’s side.

Many were surprised to see Teemore dump out Tempo given their poor league form but they were thoroughly deserving of their victory on the day. They got off to a great start and although Tempo fought back it was Teemore who finished much the stronger of the sides.

The middle of their defence has a strong look in the shape of Barry Owens and Hugh Brady with Owens’ clash with Seamus Quigley the stand out battle of the game.

They would also hope to be more competitive around the middle third while they look to get early ball into their attack where Gerry Quinlan had a fine game at full forward against Tempo.

The midfield battle will be important in this game and Teemore will look to stifle the influence of Sherry and Cosgrove in this department while also trying to stop the Roslea half back line, which was very impressive last day out, stamping their authority on proceedings. This should be a closer game than both came through in the last round but Roslea should have enough to take them through to the last four.

Devenish v Newtownbutler

The action switches to Brewster Park on Sunday afternoon with an intriguing clash between Devenish and Newtownbutler. Newtown will enter the game with the advantage of having one championship game already behind them, taking the scalp of last year’s winners Derrygonnelly although Devenish would have the better league form in their favour with the Garrison side currently sitting third in the table.

Newtown caused something of a surprise in the last round as they overcame Derrygonnelly and in the end it was a deserved win for the First Fermanaghs. They picked themselves up after a slow start to the game and by the break they had clawed their way back to within one point. In the second half they were the better side and although it took an injury time point to seal it, they merited their narrow victory on the night.

And they will also have the advantage of having a Devenish man on their sideline with Sid Mulrone joint manager of the Newtown side along with Vinnie Connolly.

The win over Derrygonnelly has certainly lifted Newtown, who followed it up with a league victory away to Tempo at the weekend, and they will go into the quarter-final meeting feeling that they have every chance of making it into the last four.

Defensively, Clive Fitzpatrick provides them with experience while Eugene Maguire and Daniel O’Keefe are key men through the middle of the defence and Colum Monahan excelled in the role of sweeper against Derrygonnelly. At times Newtown struggled against Derrygonnelly at midfield but both Ryan Carson and Paul Johnston came good in the end while up front James Connolly, Brendan McBrien and Frank Mulligan give them plenty of threat.

Devenish though have an abundance of quality of their own. They have been one of the top teams in the county over the past couple of years although they need to start challenging in the championship.

Marty O’Brien and Barry Mulrone both played their part for Malachy O’Rourke’s Fermanagh side this year and will have improved greatly for that experience. They are key men at the back for the Garrison outfit while John O’Flanagan gives them a big physical presence at midfield while he is also more than capable of chipping in with scores. They also have a pacy attack in the shape of Chris O’Brien and Joe O’Brien while Terry O’Flanagan has also been in good form recently.

This promises to be a tight encounter and it will come down to whoever can make the most of their chances.

St. Joseph’s v St. Patrick’s

The first of a double header at Irvinestown on Sunday evening, this see’s Division One pitted against Division Two. With both sides having received byes in the preliminary round neither side is bringing any championship ‘form’ into the game although St. Pat’s have been very impressive of late in Division Two.

In fairness to St. Joseph’s they are managing to hold their own in the top flight and are currently six points above the relegation zone. They also have the advantage of having played stiffer games than their opponents and that should stand to them on Sunday although they will expect nothing but a tough battle against the 2008 champions.

The Ederney side are a hard working outfit and have done very well considering they have been without Marty McGrath for long periods while Enda Ferris has been out all season due to injury.

However, if they are to progress then they will need McGrath in their engine room as it is an area where St. Pat’s are strong in the shape of Paul Cosgrove.

St. Joseph’s went down heavily to Derrygonnelly last week and that will be a concern for the managment but they have produced some good results during the league. At the backDuwayne McAlynn, Aaron Dennison and John Irvine are solid defenders while at midfield Conor Keown is a good competitor although they are obviously much stronger in this sector when McGrath plays. Then in attack they look to Declan McCusker and in particular Peter Gormley and Paul McCusker for scores. Paul McCusker has been the sides main scoring threat throughout the season and they will need a big showing from him on Sunday. Playing in Division Two has seen St. Pat’s come into the championship somewhat under the radar. They look as if they may make an immediate return to the top flight with only one defeat from their 12 games played and they have been putting up some big scores lately. However, the worry for them is that they have not really been tested by playing the same quality of opposition that Division One provides and no doubt St. Joseph’s are a step above most teams that St. Pat’s would play in Division Two.

Fergal Wray’s team though has plenty of experienced performers who have played at the highest level and St. Pat’s could well be the dark horses of the championship. Shane McDermott and Eamon Maguire are there key men while the bulk of their team knows what it takes to win a championship having been on board during the 2008 campaign. It would be no great surprise if they book their place in the last four.

Erne Gaels v

Enniskillen Gaels

The quarter-finals of the Quinn Insurance Senior Football Championship concludes with the meeting of Erne Gaels and Enniskillen Gaels in Irvinestown on Sunday evening.

Enniskillen have the advantage of having already got through one round of the championship when they defeated Kinawley in the preliminary round of the competition and with Gerry Love’s side well placed in Division Two to clinch promotion, and Erne Gaels struggling to make any sort of impact in Division One this season, it would appear that Enniskillen would be favourites to secure their spot in the semi-finals.

However, things are never quite as simple as this and I would expect this to be a closely contested encounter. Yes, Erne Gaels have failed to shine in the top flight but the fact that they have been playing in Division One should have them well prepared for the meeting with Enniskillen, and it is a game they will feel that they have every chance of winning. Enniskillen may be sitting pretty in Division Two but their form has slipped somewhat lately and they have not been hitting the heights that they did at the start of the season, although they will be encouraged by the fact that they have been winning games while not playing particularly well.

Indeed they have only suffered one defeat all season while Erne Gaels have only registered one win over the course of the campaign.

Enniskillen will know that they will have to show a marked improvement on their performance against Kinawley if they are to make it into the semi-finals but what they do have is a side laced with championship football experience.

The likes of Mickey Lilly, Ryan McCluskey and Tom Brewster came to the fore when it was required against Kinawley and Love will look for the experienced performers to lead the way again on Sunday.

Erne Gaels will need their best display of the season if they are to progress but they do have a number of players who are capable of making this a very difficult evening for Enniskillen. Shane Lyons will be the pivotal figure in defence for the Belleek outfit while Seamus Ryder and Mark Lyons are key men in attack in a side that also has a number of good younger players such as Brian Mullins and Gregory McGloin.

It will be vital for Erne Gaels to get a good footing at midfield and not to let Enniskillen build up a head of steam early on. They will want to keep things tight and make the most of their chances when they arise, and certainly a Belleek win cannot be ruled out.

However, Enniskillen do have that bit of extra championship know-how and if they can play to their capabilities then they should put their name in the hat for the semi-final draw.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 19 Aug 10

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