Eoin Brennan previews the intermediate football championships
TWELVE teams are divided into three groups, with the top two teams from each advancing to the quarter-finals along with the two best third placed teams based on points and then scoring difference if tied on points.
Two teams will drop down to Junior A for 2022. The bottom team in each group will enter a three-way relegation play-off. The first team drawn will receive a bye. The other two teams will play off with the losing team relegated.
The winning team will play the team which received the bye and the losing team from this tie will also be relegated.
Group 1 – Kildysart, Liscannor,
Michael Cusack’s, Kilfenora
It’s not just a geographical divide as Kildysart will be favourites to top a group composed of a North Clare alliance that at underage level are partnered up as Clann Lir.
Kildysart’s Cusack Cup experience should be beneficial in negating any pitfalls, especially a tricky first tie against an ever-improving Michael Cusack’s
Kilfenora’s senior experience should be sufficient to snatch the other quarter-final spot, with their Round 2 clash with Cusack’s the defining clash of the opening stages as Liscannor’s focus will be solely fixated on avoiding any relegation trouble.
Group 2 – Corofin, Naomh Eoin,
Coolmeen, Wolfe Tones
Jilted at the final hurdle last year, Corofin finally have the chance to make amends and if anything, with more young guns available, they possess a stronger squad in their bid to redemption.
With at least one other quarter-final place on offer if not two, the race to join the North Clare side will be hugely intriguing. Indeed, the opening round bout between Wolfe Tones and Coolmeen, a repeat of last year’s Round 2 showdown that the Shannon side edged by 0-9 to 0-6, will be a pivotal barometer.
Group 3 – Shannon Gaels, O’Curry’s, Éire Óg, Banner
Essentially a wide open group considering that all four will be quietly confident of obtaining one of the two last eight places up for grabs.
Shannon Gaels are the seeded team that were only stopped by eventual winners St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield at the penultimate stage. They are off the back of a disappointing league but do possess an in-form Darragh Bohannon who excelled for Clare in 2021.
O’Curry’s have had 12 months to lick their wounds after watching their title ambitions fade against Kildysart in last year’s championship, the Banner have the momentum while Éire Óg’s chances rest on who they have available to them following their senior opener.