Munster Express Online

The new all-county Minor Football Championship gets under way this Saturday when De La Salle have home advantage over Naomh Brid at 2.30pm. For the first few rounds in this competition is hard to know what way games will go, as our only indication as to the strength of the teams is on the Under-16 championship from two years ago.

Going on the 2007 U16 championships, the opening game is one that could go either way. De La Salle played in division one and in truth were a little disappointing, especially when you know what the club has done in previous years. On the other hand, you could argue that Naomh Brid, who are assisted by St. Patrick’s, overachieved in reaching the semi-finals of the Division 2 competition.

A lot can change in two years. Some players will have improved and others will have given up. Going on the strength that the City side are more accustomed to playing in the higher grades of underage football, they will have to get the nod to get the 2009 championship off to a start with a win.

Division 1

 

On Sunday all other games are due to take place. In Division 1, Dungarvan are down to visit Tramore where the home side may be that little bit too strong for the Old Boro.

Clashmore are down to visit Rathgormack. Two years ago, Clashmore had a very strong U16 panel and won out the Division 1 championship. Their opponents on Sunday played in Division 2 in 2007 and reached the final where they were beaten by Ballinacourty. Clashmore are one of the early favourites to win this year’s Minor Football Championship and should have that little bit too much for Rathgormack on Sunday.

In a battle of near neighbours, Ballinacourty and Kilrossanty meet at Abbeyside. As already stated, Ballinacourty won the Division 2 U16 championship in 2007, and will hold their own against most going on what was seen the season before last.

Kilrossanty finished in mid-table in the Division 1 U16 football championship. The game between Ballinacourty and Kilrossanty is one that could go either way. Gaultier and Roanmore is the final game down for decision in the Division 1 championship on Sunday. These two sides in two years ago played well in the division one under 16 football championship with very little separating them.

Sunday’s game is another that could go either way. Two years ago, the city side were that little bit stronger, but it is my understanding that they may have lost one or two of their players to soccer since. If this is true, Gaultier will be favourites to win this game.

Division 2

 

As pointed out above the opening game in this year’s minor championship is a Division 2 tie between De La Salle and Naomh Brid which is brought forward to Saturday to allow the De La Salle players and supporters to travel to Parnell Park on Sunday for the All-Ireland club hurling semi-final against Cushendall.

There are three other games down for decision on Sunday morning in the Division 2 competitions. Nire have home advantage over Dunhill/Fenor at Ballymacarbry. Two years ago, the Eastern side played in the Division 3 U16 football championship, while their western opponents played in Division 2, where some may have felt they under achieved.

The home side should prove too strong for the visitors on Sunday next. They will have a number of players that will in the past two years have played a part in one if not both of their back-to-back Western and County Minor ‘A’ Football championship wins and with the experience picked up in these championships they could be the team to look out for.

They are more noted for their hurling skills, playing with Cappoquin, but along the banks of the Blackwater they have also some very good footballers and in 2007 finished in the top half of the U16 Division 2. An application was been made to the Boards to allow the Lismore players play football at minor level with Affane in 2009. I am not aware how this application has gone but if they are allowed to join, then they will prove to be even stronger than in 2007.

Ferrybank played in the Division 3 championships where they had a very good team and have come up to Division 2 and will rattle most teams. Who will win the game between Affane and Ferrybank in Cappoquin? I have a sneaky feeling that it may be the visitors but could easily be proved wrong on this.

The last game in the Division 2 championship on Sunday next is an all-city meeting between Erins Own and Mount Sion. My records show that in 2007 the monastery club did not have a team in the U16 football championship, and full marks must be given to them for coming in for the Minor Championship, and playing in Division 2.

Mount Sion down the years has had some very good footballers and I have a feeling that they could come good again, and be a challenge to anyone. They won the ‘B’ Championship last year, and also won the Junior Football Championship in the East. I also remember seeing them play in an under 14 football county final a few years ago and was highly impressed with what I saw.

Erins Own (Sacred Heart) are also doing some great work within their area and are a coming team. Again another traditional hurling club its great to see that progress made in Gaelic. Given that Erins Own (Sacred Heart) took place in the Division 3 U16 football championships in 2007, I would make them favourites to beat Mount Sion on Sunday morning, but in saying that I would really love to see Mount Sion do well in this championship.

Division 3

 

The first game on the division three fixture lists for this Sunday morning sees St Saviours with home advantage over Kilmacthomas. In 2007, both of these sides played really well in the U16 grade and I would expect that both of them would be there or there about at the end of the championship.

Over the past few years, the likes of Noel Reidy and the Corcorans have been doing great work in the St. Saviours Club and this is starting to pay off for them in both hurling and football. Going on what I have seen done in the St Saviours Club in recent years, I would make them favourites to collect the two points on offer in this game on Sunday.

Stradbally have home advantage over St Olivers on Sunday next. Two years ago Stradbally really suffer badly in the Division 2 U16 football championships playing against opponents that proved much too strong for them.

St Olivers played in the Division 3 championship and held their own, finishing in mid-table. Going on the results of both clubs in 2007, we could have a close game at Kilrossanty on Sunday next, where the points on offer could go either way. However I have a sneaking feeling it might be the visitors that will collect them.

Brickeys have dropped down to Division 3 this year. Cois Bhride played in this championship two years ago at U16 and finished in mid-table. Brickeys, in a recent challenge game against Naomh Brid, played well by all accounts, despite losing, and could collect the two points on offer on Sunday morning at Bushy Park.

Division 4

 

Two years ago St Marys finished bottom of the pile in the Division 3 U16 football championships. They were able to pick players from the Ballyduff Lower club, but since then the two clubs have gone their separate ways. I know little about either of the two sides, but would make Ballyduff Lower favourites when they meet St Mary’s on Sunday.

The last game down for decision over course of the weekend is one that those with time on their hands could do worse than to go and see. Neighbours and rivals An Gaeltacht and Ardmore have the habit of bringing the best out in each other and when they meet; they get a large gathering of locals out.

Over the past number of years from Under-12 up, when these two sides meet some terrific games have been fought out, and I suspect that this meeting on Sunday morning could be another one. This is one of the hardest games to call over the weekend and I would not be one bit surprised if both sides have to settle for a share of the points on offer.

All games over the weekend have an 11.30am start on Sunday, with the exception of the De La Salle and Naomh Brid game which has a 2.30pm throw-in on Saturday.