AFTER a less than an inspiring month of qualifiers, this weekend sees the business end of things begin in earnest in the football championship and for four clubs the dreaded prospect of a drop to the intermediate grade.
Facing the drop is the champions of five years ago Ballyroan/Abbey; Emo the losing finalists seven years ago; The Rock finalists twelve years ago and semi-finalists twice in the last four years Mountmellick.
On Thursday evening Ballylinan and Clonaslee open proceedings and while this will not be the most exciting they will not be concerned and the winner will have an extended run.
O’Dempsey’s are back as serious contenders although their league form has not been replicated in the championship still they are up there in the top six at least and perhaps they have got a draw they would prefer to have avoided. Their opponents Killeen have been disappointing but there might be a kick in them yet.
Who is the best team in this group of eight? Well hard to tell but despite their awful start against Crettyard one has to say Portarlington would be up there near the top.
There are by far the most improved team with a sprinkling of minors from last year. They will be a huge disappointment if they are not right back in the mix for the draw on Saturday evening. St Joseph’s and the Heath is potentially the pick of this round and yet neither have been that impressive.
The Heath have improved since last year but after a slippery league campaign they looked at their best facing Portlaoise but were lucky to escape against battling Ball roan/Abbey.
St Joseph’s are decimated by injuries and it just gets worse. After an exciting league campaign that saw the title return after nine years, it is already a distant memory but a win this weekend might reawaken their chances.
The only consolation for the loser this weekend is they cannot be relegated but that was not their aim a month ago.