Ballinrobe could edge clash of contenders in Parke
Parke KC's Ronan Carolan in possession against Ballinrobe during a previous Intermediate Championship game between the sides. Pic Conor McKeown
This is arguably the tie of the opening round in the intermediate championship as two of the top contenders in Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin and Ballinrobe face off.
These two sides met in the league back in May, which saw Parke prevail 2-8 to 1-4 in a low-scoring affair, but that will count for little ahead of what promises to be a humdinger of a game. Kilmaine and Kiltane will look to spoil things but by the end of the group stage, it would be a surprise not to see both Parke and Ballinrobe in the quarter-final draw.
Confidence will be high in the South Mayo town that this will be Ballinrobe time’s. Runners-up to Kilmeena in last year’s decider, they will hope to emulate what Kilmeena did themselves in winning the following year’s final after losing the previous one.
Peter Ford’s side had a solid league campaign in Division 1A, finishing third, and were the only team to beat Castlebar Mitchels in the group stage. While Mitchels were understrength on the day, so were the Robesiders and a win over Mitchels in a competition they have been so dominant in for the past few years is not one to be dismissed.
A solid team from top to bottom, Luke Jennings in goal is one of the best young goalkeepers in the county. Aaron McDonnell, Diarmuid Duffy and Kevin Quinn have made the debut for the senior team over the past year while John Enda Flannelly, Ewan Duffy (brother or Diarmuid) and Cian O’Connell also make up a very strong spine.
Parke have been a consistent presence in the knockout stages over the past ten years but have been beaten seven times in the quarter-finals over the past decade, including in last year’s quarter-final against Kilmeena.
Parke are strong across the field,with players like Cian McHale, Colm Lynch, Aaron McHale, Dary Neary, Cathal Keaveney and Sean Corcoran while Ronan Carolan on his day is a forward who can cause any defence a problem.
Parke will hope their strong record at home in the championship will propel them to victory, but Ballinrobe’s quality might be too much for them.
