All you need to know ahead of round three of Galway Intermediate Football Championship

Group One

Oileáin Árann v Mícheál Breathnach on Saturday at 1pm in Rosmuc

It is a straight shootout between Oileáin Árann and Micheál Breathnach’s for second place in Group One. Both teams have already secured their places in the preliminary quarter-finals, while a draw will be enough for Oileáin Árann to claim second spot in the group.

Seán Mulkerrin, Patrick Ó Domhnaill and Tyler Ó Flaitharta have all impressed for the Islands, with Ó Flaitharta contributing an impressive 0-11 across their opening two games.

Since returning from his stint in America during the summer, Cillian Ó Curraoin has been in outstanding scoring form, hitting 0-15 for Micheál Breathnach’s in their opening two games. They can also call on plenty of experience, with Fiach Ó Bearra, Tommy Ó Conghaile and Seán Denvir among those providing leadership. Fiontán Ó Curraoin missed their second-round clash against St Michael’s.

St Michaels v Kilkerrin Clonberne on Sunday at 1:45pm in Duggan Park

AFTER suffering relegation from the senior ranks last year, St Michaels already appear as strong favourites to win the Intermediate Football Championship this season. Colm Tummon has returned as manager of the Westside outfit for the second time. Conal Gallagher and Gary Higgins impressed in their hard fought victory over Micheal Breathnach’s in round two, Dave Cunnane continues to provide St Michaels with a target man on the edge of the square. Dillon and Eoin Gacquin have adapted seamlessly to their first year playing adult football for the city club.

Kilkerrin Clonberne’s main aim will now be to retain their IFC status and Kieran West’s charges will be targetting a big performance against St Michaels to gain some confidence heading into the relegation battle. Much of the scoring will rely on Johnny Ryan and Conor Rabbitte for Kilkerrin Clonberne, while Sean Fahy is another player to watch in the middle third for the men in red.

Group Two

Corofin B v Claregalway B on Sunday in Annaghdown GAA club at 12pm

THERE is a lot at stake for both Claregalway’s and Corofin’s second teams this weekend. The loser will play the winners of the Junior Two Football Championship in a promotion/relegation play-off with the winner securing Intermediate Football for 2027.

Corofin’s second team have experience at this level and went close to reaching a county final last year just falling short to Caltra in the semi-final. Aidan Fahy is able to call on Mike Farragher and Gary Sice on Corofin’s second team and their experience could prove crucial this weekend.

After winning the Junior Football Championship last year, Claregalweay almost got something in their second game against Cortoon Shamrocks only for Cortoon Shamrocks to earn a draw late on. Galway U20 footballer Matthew Collins and Shane O’Heochagain have been lively in attack for Claregalway.

Oranmore Maree v Cortoon Shamrocks on Sunday at 12pm in Duggan Park

ORANMORE-MAREE remain unbeaten in this year’s Intermediate Football Championship and former Galway manager Timmy Rabbitte and ex-Galway footballer Seán Óg de Paor will be pleased with their side’s start to the campaign. Niall de Paor has contributed 0-14 for Oranmore-Maree, while former Mayo footballer Mark Ronaldson, Ryan O’Donnell and Ciarán McDonagh highlight the attacking options available to Rabbitte and de Paor. Harry Keady has also impressed in midfield, while Brian Carroll, brother of Roscommon goalkeeper Conor Carroll, has been rock solid between the posts.

Paul Varley is sidelined this season with an ACL injury and his absence is a major blow to Cortoon Shamrocks, while his brother Adrian missed their draw against Claregalway through injury. A win would secure a place in the preliminary quarter-finals, but defeat, coupled with a Claregalway victory over Corofin, would see them enter the relegation battle. Alan Banks and Luke Dempsey have stepped up in attack for the North Galway club.

Group Three

An Spidéal v Glenamaddy on Saturday at 2pm in Kenny Park

An Spidéal will be aiming to return to winning ways when they face Glenamaddy on Saturday afternoon, as they look to bounce back from their defeat to Menlough. Last year’s county finalists possess quality throughout the team, with Mike Dunne able to call on goalkeeper Maghnus Breatnach, Galway senior footballers Liam Ó Conghaile and Finnian Ó Laoi, as well as forward Antaine Ó Laoi.

A win could see Glenamaddy advance directly to the quarter-finals of the championship. Ryan Duffy and Micheál Heneghan have been in impressive scoring form in recent weeks, while captain Conor Raftery, MacDara and Aidan Geraghty are also among the players to watch for Aidan Potter’s side.

Menlough v Clifden on Saturday in The Prairie at 2pm

Menlough will be aiming to defeat Clifden this weekend and hope An Spidéal overcome Glenamaddy, or that the game ends in a draw, which would be enough to see them progress to the quarter-finals. Captain Liam Carthy and Donal Loftus impressed in their victory over An Spidéal, while Sean Hansberry, who has featured for the University of Galway Sigerson Cup team in recent seasons, and Kieran Dowd provide Menlough with plenty going forward.

Clifden are yet to record a win in this year’s championship and the West Galway outfit will be targeting a strong performance this weekend. The departures of Ruairí King (St James’), Cillian Gannon (Boston) and Ger Gibbons (Wicklow) have been major setbacks for Clifden. Colm Coneys has been a leading light in attack, while joint-captain Henry O’Toole and Galway U20 footballer Patrick Keaney are among their standout performers.

Group Four

Kilconly v Caherlistrane on Sunday at 1:30pm in Tuam Stadium

Caherlistrane and Kilconly meet in a local derby on Sunday afternoon in a repeat of last year’s preliminary quarter-final, which Caherlistrane edged. Barry McCabe’s side have been one of the form teams in the Intermediate Football Championship and possess plenty of quality in attack, with Steven and Shane Greaney, Alan Morris and Oisín O’Brien all capable of causing problems. Stephen Lawless provides plenty of physicality in the middle third, while brothers Richard and Johnny McGrath are two quality man-markers. A win or draw will be enough for Caherlistrane to secure top spot in Group Four.

Kilconly need to defeat Caherlistrane and hope St Brendan’s overcome An Cheathrú Rua in the other Group Four fixture if they are to finish top of the group. Stephen Curley’s side bounced back from their opening-round defeat with a victory over St Brendan’s. David Prendergast is joint-top scorer in the IFC, while Paul Mannion’s return has provided another boost to their attack. Galway U20 footballer Brian O’Malley and former Galway senior footballer Niall Daly are also capable of chipping in with scores for Curley’s side.

St Brendans v An Cheathrú Rua on Sunday at 1:30pm in Clonbur

St Brendans are yet to record a win this season and the Ballygar outfit know a defeat will send them into the relegation play-offs. It has come as a surprise after the North Galway club narrowly missed out in last year’s county semi-final, and they will be looking for a reaction this weekend. A win for St Brendans, along with a Kilconly victory over Caherlistrane, will be enough to secure knockout football. Rory Cunningham’s return from injury comes as a timely boost for St Brendan’s ahead of this do-or-die championship clash.

An Cheathrú Rua defeated Kilconly in round one before suffering a heavy defeat to Caherlistrane in round two. The West Galway club will be hoping they can record a win over St Brendan’s and that it will be enough to secure second place in Group Two. Galway U20 players Maitiu O’Domhnaill and Eoinín Ó Cualáin are two exciting talents in the An Cheathrú Rua starting XV.