Sligo Club Championship gets underway this weekend
Group 1: Coolera Strandhill, Shamrock Gaels, Tubbercurry, Easkey, Calry St. Joseph’s
The county champions Coolera Strandhill will be hoping to make it back-to-back Owen Hunt Cups.
Shamrock Gaels were a team who were disappointed with last year’s campaign following a league success will be hoping for at least a last four berth this year.
Tubbercurry natives Colm McGee and David Curran are over their local team this year and will be disappointed to be relegated to division two of the league and the fact that three players, Darragh Kilcoyne, Dylan Henry and Griffin Gallagher, picked up ACL injuries during the campaign.
Calry St. Joseph’s will be hoping that the number of county players will pay a vital part as they aim to get out of the group. Brian Cox was a key player for Tony McEntee’s side throughout the year and they will be relying on him if they are to progress.
Last year’s county Intermediate champions Easkey will be hoping a mixture of experience and youth can get them safe passage to ensure they keep senior status for 2025.
Group 2: Tourlestrane, Curry, St. Molaise Gaels, Drumcliffe Rosses Point, St. Mary’s Tourlestrane, this year under the management of Mike Solan, will be hoping to make at least a semi final. On Sunday, they came up short against strong Molaise Gaels in the division 1 league final but their sights will be firmly on a win next Sunday against St. Mary’s. Solan will have to plan without Liam Gaughan and Conan Marren who are both unavailable.
Curry will be hoping to book a place in the semi finals and they will be hoping that the likes of Alan Reilly and Adrian Marren can have big part to play for his side.
St. Mary’s are managed by Mark Breheny once again and he is joined on the coaching staff by Eanna Casey from Ballina. They will be hoping to start the championship well but will under no pressure considering the players they are without including David Philips and Stephen Coen who have both transferred out of the club.
Drumcliffe Rosses Point recently won the division 2 league title will be hoping for a good 2024 championship. Last year they knocked out Tourlestrane and came up against St. Molaise Gaels. James Donlon and Cian Lally will be both key players for the north Sligo side if they are to progress to the last four.
St. Molaise Gaels became this year’s division 1 league champions as they got the better of Tourlestrane on Sunday evening. The north Sligo outfit will be aiming to go one better than last year after they came up short against Coolera Strandhill. Captain Alan McLoughlin is a key player along with fellow county men Luke Towey and Luke Casserly.
Group 1: St. John’s, Geevagh, Castleconnor, Owenmore Gaels, Bunninadden
St. John’s were recently relegated from division 3 and will be hoping to get their season back on track when they face Bunninadden on Saturday evening at Kent Park. The Sligo town side are without Cathal Jordan and Oisin Cox for this year’s championship.
Geevagh will be hoping to make the semi finals after missing out last year but are boosted with the return of Pat Hughes for this year’s campaign.
Bunninadden who are another side who have big hopes of having a big summer after a disappointing 2023. Unfortunately, Oisin Gorman has picked an ACL injury which will rule him out of the championship.
Castleconnor were very competitive in 2023 but they will be without the services of Sean Carrabine who is away travelling for the championship and will be a massive blow for their side. Oisin Flynn will be a key player for his side if they are to Progress.
Owenmore Gaels last year’s Connacht junior finalist will be hoping they came final knockout stages of the competition with Mark Walsh a big player for them . He will be hoping to bring his experience from the county team to the Gaels in the intermediate Championship.
Group 2: St. Patrick’s, Eastern Harps, Coolaney Mullinbreena, St. Farnan’s, Enniscrone Kilglass
St. Patrick’s come into the championship on the back of mixed league campaign but will take confidence that they made the last couple of championship semi finals. This time among they find themselves in the group of death with an opening round game against neighbours St. Farnan’s.
Eastern Harps will be hoping the disappointment of last year’s semi final loss against Easkey can drive them onto success in 2024. The club are on the back of winning the Minor A title during the week with number of those players involved in the squad.
Coolaney Mullinbreena will be hoping they can go one better than last year when they lost the final. A year in division 1 league football will stand to them. Nathan Mullen is a key player for the South Sligo side and he could be vital if they are to return to senior football in 2025.
St. Farnan’s are back in intermediate after being relegated last year. Patrick O’Connor is a big loss to the side who are managed by Ronan McGarrity this year.
Enniscrone Kilglass had a super league campaign as they got promoted to division 1 league for 2025, a second promotion in two years. On Saturday, they came up short against Drumcliffe Rosses Point after extra time and will be hoping that experience will stand to them in difficult championship group.
Senior Group 1: Shamrock Gaels v Tubbercurry, Saturday, August 17, 7pm.
Easkey v Calry St Joseph’s, Sunday, August 18, 5pm.
Senior Group 2: St Molaise Gaels v Curry, Sat, Aug 17, 7pm.
St Mary’s v Tourlestrane, Sun, Aug 18, 2pm.
Intermediate Group 1: Bunninadden v St John’s, Sat, Aug 17, 5pm.
Geevagh v Castleconnor, Sat, Aug 17, 5pm.
Group 2: Eastern Harps v Coolaney Mullinbreena, Sat, Aug 17, 5pm.
St Patrick’s v St Farnan’s, Sun, Aug 18, 5pm.
