Defeat would be Kil-ler for 'Maine or 'Tane in tough group
David Hughes of Kilmaine winning possession ahead of Crossmolina's Diarmuid Walsh
Given the strength of Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin and Ballinrobe in this year’s championship, both Kilmaine and Kiltane know this could be a pivotal game in terms of avoiding relegation play-off.
While suffering defeat in their opening two games of last year’s championship, a win over Burrishoole saw Kiltane finish third in the group stage, a much-improved showing from 2022 after they defeated Ardnaree in a relegation semi-final to spare themselves the possibility of back-to-back relegations.
Coming into this year’s championship, however, they will be sweating on the fitness of former Mayo star Mikie Sweeney who went off injured after their Division 1 League relegation playoff defeat to Charlestown at the Bank Holiday weekend.
If the news proves the worst, much of the scoring responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Ultan Corrigan, Josh Carey, John Ginty and Adam Carrabine. Defensively, they will look to Shane Gallagher, Nathan Ginnelly, Martin Gallagher and Michael Needham Coyle to shore things up at the back.
After reaching the 2021 intermediate semi-finals, the last two years has been much tougher for Kilmaine, having found themselves in relegation semi-finals the last two years.
You wonder could Kilmaine get the whole county talking once more if a certain Oisin Mullin is named in their panel for the upcoming championship. He was named before their opener against Crossmolina last year and while he did not play until the final group game, his impact was telling and he helped them to safety.
There appears to be no sign that will be happening as of yet but Kilmaine still have an abundance of talent at their disposal, including Adam Barrett and Ja Mullin who were part of the club’s 2020 county and Connacht junior title successes.
This could be a real battle between the two but Kilmaine are hard beaten on their own turf and it would come as no surprise to see them get off to a winning start.
Verdict: Kilmaine
