Shamrocks set for 'Ard-est test yet
Ardagh’s Tony Carey has been one of the most impressive forward int he junior championship so far. Picture: David Farrell Photography
Not many observers would have had last year’s junior ‘B’ runners-up Kilmovee Shamrocks into the junior ‘A’ knockout stages before the competition began but the rapidly improving side is there on merit.
One suspected their opening game against east Mayo rivals Swinford would largely determine the paths for both going forward and it was Kilmovee who prevailed, before following it up with a comfortable win over Ballycastle to effectively seal a place in the quarter-finals.
They were defeated by Tourmakeady but impressed for long periods of the game while their final game draw against Eastern Gaels was a dead rubber as both were already assured of an away quarter-final beforehand.
Rising young star Oran Frain has quickly settled into the midfield having only made his debut for the senior team earlier this year and along with Ciaran Sweeney, Oisin Duffy, Liam Boyle and the six Horan brothers who all were named in the matchday squad for the first time against Eastern Gaels - Tom, Cathal, Peter, Oisin, Jimmy and Gary – Kilmovee have a squad that they will feel is capable making the next step.
They face their biggest test of their credentials in the shape of Ardagh. While away from home has had challenges in narrow wins over Ballycroy and Achill, they have looked hard to beat on home turf as evidenced in their one-sided wins over Killala and Northern Gaels.
James Carr may be getting the headlines, but Tony Carey has become their chief scoring threat. He has 2-29 across four games and along with Carr, they also has Lee Traynor, Stephen Rochford and Paddy Walsh as part of a formidable front six.
Kilmovee have done well to get this far, but this looks a tall order for them.
