Way is cleared for Galway senior football championship quarter-finals
IT’S now down to the ‘Super 8s’ in the Galway football championship after the final slots in the knock-out stages were decided last weekend with St. James’, Salthill-Knocknacarra, Caherlistrane and Moycullen securing second places in their respective groups.
The quarter-finals now go ahead on the weekend of October 6/7 with the draws made in Pearse Stadium after the outcome of the Moycullen, Monivea-Abbey Group 4 tie on Sunday evening last – red-hot favourites Corofin will meet neighbours Caherlistrane.
The All-Ireland champions – practically unbackable for the championship as they seek a six-in-a-row of Galway senior titles – completed their Group 1 formalities at Pearse Stadium on Sunday with a 0-15 to 1-8 victory over a plucky St. James’ outfit.
It’s a big ask for Caherlistrane, but Stephen Joyce’s charges will be highly motivated for this derby clash against Corofin – a convincing 3-16 to 1-11 win over Kilconly last Sunday in their final group game won’t have done their confidence any harm.
One of the other two ‘100% record’ teams so far in the championship, Mountbellew-Moylough, will meet Moycullen in the quarter-finals – the Connemara side just making it over the line to the knock-out stages after a 0-8 apiece draw with Monivea-Abbey saw them through on scoring difference.
Group 4 table-toppers, Milltown – also on four wins out of four – have been drawn against Salthill-Knocknacarra, who had to battle hard to get over the line against Tuam Stars by just one point in Corofin on Sunday (1-9 to 1-8).
That victory though was enough to edge them ahead of Killannin, (the draw specialists of the group stages with three shared outcomes), on scoring difference – but only by a hair’s breadth (+5 as compared to +3). Salthill will now be facing a Milltown side full of confidence after four group wins over Moycullen, Monivea-Abbey, St. Michael’s and Caltra.
Annaghdown – the only team in recent years that has come close to toppling Corofin – will face a tricky enough assignment against St. James’, who finished in a comfortable second place to Corofin in Group 1, after wins over Claregalway, Carraroe and Cortoon Shamrocks.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.