All Ireland junior championship

[Donnellys Hollow]

Straffan would be at a similar level to Two Mile House but they have strolled through all their games this year and are yet to be put to the pin of their collar. That might come against them in a tight match although they definitely have enough ability to go all the way.

[AZOffaly]

I can't believe Moate are in the Junior Championship. What the hell happened them? Croi, shark?

[shark]

Straffan would be at a similar level to Two Mile House but they have strolled through all their games this year and are yet to be put to the pin of their collar. That might come against them in a tight match although they definitely have enough ability to go all the way.

Moate neglected their underage, simple as that. They were strong at senior level throughout the 90's (winning in '97), got relegated somewhere around 2004/5 and then dropped to junior in 2011. However they have sorted out their underage and are reaping the rewards now. They won the minor A in '12 and '13. They should have won the junior last year but Shamrocks' second team caught them cold in the semi. I remember reading after that game that they had no player on the field between 20 and 30 yrs old. They have 3 of the best young players in the county in Gorman, Corbally and Cunningham. I would estimate that about 10 of their starting team is under 20, which may prove to be their downfall come Sunday. Time will tell. I expect them to be Senior within 3 years.

[AZOffaly]

OK fair enough. A cautionary tale. I remember playing Moate back in the 90s and we had right good battles with them, even just in tournament and challenge matches. Ger Heavin and the like.

[Maroon Manc]

I think Mitchels only have 3 or 4 starters from the 2009 All Ireland finalists team left in Mulligan, Ricey & McDermott. They've surprised me this year given they were played All Ireland quarter final last December given the age of those lads I didn't expect them to come back stronger this year. Looks like they've had very few injuries all year and have had a boost with the additions of a couple of lads at the right time of year.

Their game against Arran was over after about 20 minutes, at this time of year its hard to turn around 9 point deficits. I know Arran had played games 12 weeks in a row but Galway clubs won this competition in 2012 & 2013 so will have fancied their chances of winning it.

Ability wise Mitchels probably have better players than any team left in it but the lack of competitive games throughout the year is a huge negative. Judging the comments and what happened last year it looks like Straffan are the team to beat.

[supersarsfields]

Who's managing Mitchels this year? Is Ronan McBride or Beaugs still involved in the set up?

[theticklemister]

Barry Morris from Fermanagh; bugs and collie (Donegal) are trainers

[manfromdelmonte]

Moate will be hard beaten.
Have won a few minor titles in last few years and unbeaten all year.