Connacht Senior Football Club Championship 2012

[ross4life]

Mayo final on this Sunday it will be live on TG4.

Connacht draw

Preliminary round - 28th October - St Brigid's v Mevlin Gaels - Kiltoom - 230pm
Semi final - 11th November - Ballintubber/Ballaghaderreen v Curry - McHale park
Semi final - 11th November - St Brigid's/Mevlin Gaels v Salthill Knocknacarra - Pearse Stadium/Pairc sean
Final - 25th November

Current odds with PP.

St Brigids    11/10
Salthill    5/2
Ballintubber    7/2
Ballaghaderreen    8/1Curry    10/1
Melvin Gaels  50/1

Hmmmmm. Mayo football at a low ebb. Where did it all go wrong?

Ballina Stephenites on the verge of relegation etc.

Our county final live on TG4.  At least that is something.

Nothing to do with an extra game then!

Exactly. Once the Mayo final is done the winner will be around the same odds as Salthill. Ballina have fallen along way from 2007 what are their chances of staying up? Clann naGael who once ruled Roscommon,Connacht almost got relegated last year.

[Syferus]

Can't see Melvin Gaels coming to Kiltoom and over-turning the champs. The game in Pearse Stadium would perhaps be the pivotal tie in Connacht this year in that scenario. Who would have home advantage for the Conancht final if it's Mayo vs. Galway/Roscommon?

[ross4life]

Who would have home advantage for the Conancht final if it's Mayo vs. Galway/Roscommon?

Mayo v Galway - Pearse Stadium
Mayo v Roscommon - McHale park.

Wouldn't rule out Curry a decent team & Adrian Marren is in fine form.

[RedandGreenSniper]

Last year Davitts, as Mayo Intermediate champs, beat Melvin Gaels in the Connacht semi-final and Padraig Pearses in the Connacht Final. Melvin Gaels win Leitrim senior championship and Pearses lose out, narrowly, to the all conquering Brigid's in Roscommon. Davitts, meanwhile, couldn't get out of their group in Mayo - Ballintubber and Claremorris did. Maybe, just maybe, the strength of Mayo club football isn't as bad as we think. There's no Crossmolinas or Ballinas who will win the All-Ireland but there's a lot of teams each capable of beating each other on any given day.

[ross4life]

Last year Davitts, as Mayo Intermediate champs, beat Melvin Gaels in the Connacht semi-final and Padraig Pearses in the Connacht Final. Melvin Gaels win Leitrim senior championship and Pearses lose out, narrowly, to the all conquering Brigid's in Roscommon. Davitts, meanwhile, couldn't get out of their group in Mayo - Ballintubber and Claremorris did. Maybe, just maybe, the strength of Mayo club football isn't as bad as we think. There's no Crossmolinas or Ballinas who will win the All-Ireland but there's a lot of teams each capable of beating each other on any given day.

Very little between the top sides in Connacht afterall Ballintubber lost narrowly to Corofin,Killererin the last few years. Padraig Pearses are much changed from last year they only have around 6 starters, for example David Murray,Conor Daly this years Ros U21s & Shane Carty,Ronan Daly 2011,2012 Ros minors have since made Pearses stronger.

[Syferus]

Wouldn't read anything approaching a positive statement on Mayo club football into Pearses' run.

Pearses last contested the senior final in 2008 and never should have found themselves at intermediate to begin with. The unseeded QF draw ment all three of the top teams in Roscommon were on one side of the draw and Pearses only had to put away a hugely disappointing Castlerea side and an equally inexperienced Roscommon Gaels team to make the final.

If anything what it highlights the potential in Woodmount that they could come as close to the Connacht champions as they did, but for all Pearses' endeavour Brigids never looked like losing and had plenty of extra gears if they had been needed. Pearses' defensive gameplan allowed them to slow Brigids down but it left them hamstrung going forward.

[ross4life]

Terrible Mayo final in fairness the Galway,Roscommon finals weren't up to much either. The last time Ballaghaderreen won the Mayo title they were beaten by the Sligo champions in the semi final lighting couldn't strike twice could it?

Congrats to Oran,St Aidans on winning the Roscommon intermediate,Junior titles i would fancy both to reach the Connacht finals at least now.

[ross4life]

St Brigid's open the defence of their Connacht crown on Sunday, Melvin Gaels are sure to give a good competitive game but anything other than win for Kiltoom/cam lads will be major shock.

A look at the five teams in contention for this year's senior club football crown http://thescore.thejournal.ie/st-brigids-ballaghaderreen-curry-melvin-gaels-salthill-knocknacarra-648206-Oct2012/

[Syferus]

Sounds very much like Melvin are like Leitrim, they go as Emlyn Mulligan goes. If he's kept quiet and the tie could be done and dusted long before time is called.

[Rossfan]

Only listening to the bits of Willie we got between bouts of commentary from Longford -
Mulligan missed a penalty but despite Melvin leading 5-4 after 20 mins Brigid's then came to life and blew them away.
2-15 to 5 points in last 40 minutes !!

[ross4life]

Slow start only for a poorly taken Emlyn Mulligan penalty Melvin could have found themselves 4pts in front but from there St Brigid's stepped it up & powered past the Leitrim champions.

The strength in depth looks as strong as ever for Brigid's McStay is ever changing in his tactics & line outs he'll certainly keep Salthill Knocknacarra guessing but no doubt that game in two weeks is a big test to their credentials.

[Syferus]

Only listening to the bits of Willie we got between bouts of commentary from Longford -
Mulligan missed a penalty but despite Melvin leading 5-4 after 20 mins Brigid's then came to life and blew them away.
2-15 to 5 points in last 40 minutes !!

Ah ladeen, did ye not get your mammy's permission to go? 

Brigids slow start was caused as much by good Melvin Gaels play in the middle as much as lethargy in the Kiltoom men. Emlyn Mulligan and Frankie went toe-to-toe in the scoring stakes for the first half and both were excellent, even Mulligan's penalty miss aside. Frankie got a hit off the ball (by Mulligan the people around me were saying, but I would want confirmation that) just before half time and was pulled out at the half. Don't think it's serious, probably a precaution with bigger tests in sight. Darren Dolan too was injured early and probably should have been pull about 30 minutes before he actually was, he went down in a heap any time he kicked the ball.

Brigids are a machine at this point and have near endless ways to kill you. They have so many players capable of playing any number of positions at this point they resemble a county team more than a club side - Niall Grehan played as a half-forward today, Domican played corner-back and Ger Aherne in the middle. Places genuinely seem up for grabs and the two Mc's have done an impressive job so far keeping Brigids fresh when you might have expected them to be road-weary after the last two campaigns.

Cake was back in goal and the whole day was vintage Cake, from a yellow-card and penalty to wonderful vision with his kick-outs to kissing the ball after a save. Good for the heart and for Brigids that he's between the posts again.

If they play to their ability they will beat Salthill but much drop-off and Gary Cox will be the only Rossie emerging from Pearse Stadium with a Connacht final to look forward to.

[Rossfan]

Only listening to the bits of Willie we got between bouts of commentary from Longford -
Mulligan missed a penalty but despite Melvin leading 5-4 after 20 mins Brigid's then came to life and blew them away.
2-15 to 5 points in last 40 minutes !!

Ah ladeen, did ye not get your mammy's permission to go? 

Had to work buck - something you won't have to worry about for another 10 or 15 years 

[seafoid]

Only listening to the bits of Willie we got between bouts of commentary from Longford -
Mulligan missed a penalty but despite Melvin leading 5-4 after 20 mins Brigid's then came to life and blew them away.
2-15 to 5 points in last 40 minutes !!

Ah ladeen, did ye not get your mammy's permission to go? 

Brigids slow start was caused as much by good Melvin Gaels play in the middle as much as lethargy in the Kiltoom men. Emlyn Mulligan and Frankie went toe-to-toe in the scoring stakes for the first half and both were excellent, even Mulligan's penalty miss aside. Frankie got a hit off the ball (by Mulligan the people around me were saying, but I would want confirmation that) just before half time and was pulled out at the half. Don't think it's serious, probably a precaution with bigger tests in sight. Darren Dolan too was injured early and probably should have been pull about 30 minutes before he actually was, he went down in a heap any time he kicked the ball.

Brigids are a machine at this point and have near endless ways to kill you. They have so many players capable of playing any number of positions at this point they resemble a county team more than a club side - Niall Grehan played as a half-forward today, Domican played corner-back and Ger Aherne in the middle. Places genuinely seem up for grabs and the two Mc's have done an impressive job so far keeping Brigids fresh when you might have expected them to be road-weary after the last two campaigns.

Cake was back in goal and the whole day was vintage Cake, from a yellow-card and penalty to wonderful vision with his kick-outs to kissing the ball after a save. Good for the heart and for Brigids that he's between the posts again.

If they play to their ability they will beat Salthill but much drop-off and Gary Cox will be the only Rossie emerging from Pearse Stadium with a Connacht final to look forward to.

So Brigids are a machine. And how many all Irelands have they won then?
This Ros grandstanding needs to be backed up with some medals.

[brokencrossbar1]

Only listening to the bits of Willie we got between bouts of commentary from Longford -
Mulligan missed a penalty but despite Melvin leading 5-4 after 20 mins Brigid's then came to life and blew them away.
2-15 to 5 points in last 40 minutes !!

Ah ladeen, did ye not get your mammy's permission to go? 

Brigids slow start was caused as much by good Melvin Gaels play in the middle as much as lethargy in the Kiltoom men. Emlyn Mulligan and Frankie went toe-to-toe in the scoring stakes for the first half and both were excellent, even Mulligan's penalty miss aside. Frankie got a hit off the ball (by Mulligan the people around me were saying, but I would want confirmation that) just before half time and was pulled out at the half. Don't think it's serious, probably a precaution with bigger tests in sight. Darren Dolan too was injured early and probably should have been pull about 30 minutes before he actually was, he went down in a heap any time he kicked the ball.

Brigids are a machine at this point and have near endless ways to kill you. They have so many players capable of playing any number of positions at this point they resemble a county team more than a club side - Niall Grehan played as a half-forward today, Domican played corner-back and Ger Aherne in the middle. Places genuinely seem up for grabs and the two Mc's have done an impressive job so far keeping Brigids fresh when you might have expected them to be road-weary after the last two campaigns.

Cake was back in goal and the whole day was vintage Cake, from a yellow-card and penalty to wonderful vision with his kick-outs to kissing the ball after a save. Good for the heart and for Brigids that he's between the posts again.

If they play to their ability they will beat Salthill but much drop-off and Gary Cox will be the only Rossie emerging from Pearse Stadium with a Connacht final to look forward to.

So Brigids are a machine. And how many all Irelands have they won then?
This Ros grandstanding needs to be backed up with some medals.

I would have to say that the way fixtures are set up this year that Brigids will be coming into the AI semi nicely tested but not over stretched and ready to push on.  They will win the semi and will meet Dr Crokes in the final but I think Crokes will win it outright.  Both teams have been the most consistent outside of ourselves in the country of the last 3-4 years and will be in the Final come 17th march.