The good folk of Kilmurry-Ibrickane, Kildysart, and reigning champions Éire Óg, Inis are waking up this morning with a seeded spot in the TUS County Senior Football Championship quarter-finals to look forward to in three weeks' time, following an exciting round of action that saw all three clubs top their respective groups.
Assured of their places at the outset, Éire Óg and Kilmurry Ibrickane, the bookies front runners to claim the Jack Daly, were able to play with peace of mind but still managed to keep their 100% records when they had too much for St. Joseph’s Miltown and a plucky Corofin respectively. The townies were inspired by Mark McInerney who accounted for 1-09 in Saturday's tie while goals at crucial times from Conor Burke, Dermot Coughlan and Evan Cahill kept nudging the Bricks clear of Corofin who stayed in the hunt throughout through Gearoid Cahill and Cillian McGroary's scoring.
The performance of the weekend was undoubtedly Kildysart’s superb win over Ennistymon in Cooraclare where they scored 1-23 to swap places with their opponents at the top of the Group Two table. Inspired by man of the hour, Keith O'Connor, they had nine different scorers to reel in and take over Ennistymon's bright start.
One from the Runners Up pot in the last eight - namely St. Joseph's Miltown Malbay, Lissycasey, and Ennistymon, will strike it lucky and be drawn in the winners side of the draw.
Joining the rest will be the magpies of Doonbeg who appear back in the business end of the championship for the first time in seven years following their win in the Group One winner take all clash with Cratloe. A three goal blitz in the last quarter at Clarecastle sending Brian Shanahan's side to the last eight.
The final quarter-final berth will be decided next weekend in a preliminary tie when third-placed Corofin take on St. Joseph's Doora-Barefield. Last year's beaten finalists hadn't it all their own way against Kilmihil but were on top for the majority in Ballynacally when Joe Rafferty's brace of goals was added to by a Tom McDonald second half penalty.
The quarter-final draw will take place immediately following that fixture. At the same time, the lineup for the relegation battle will be finalised—a high-stakes survival pot that features 2023 finalists St. Breckan's and Cratloe, alongside Kilmihil. Two of these will be drawn in a relegation semi final while the remaining side will await the losers and get one shot to preserve their Senior status.
Above is how the pots look in next weekend’s draw.
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