Hard to look beyond the 'top four' Senior Championship contenders

The pre-quarter finals are all done and dusted so we now find ourselves down to the quarter-finals proper in the Joe Mallon Senior Football Championship with all games down for decision this coming weekend.

And with Cedral St Conleth's Park bang on target for the official opening on Sunday 27 October it is indeed a huge added incentive for those still involved and an opportunity to be part of the opening day celebrations on senior county final day.

From the word go defending champions, Naas, going for four titles in a row, have been the overwhemling favourites to retain their title, and to date little has changed in that regard.

The other three main contenders have been Sarsfields, Celbridge and Athy, and as we reach the quarter-finals this weekend it is difficult indeed to move away from that quartet of clubs to make it into the last four.

On the face of it, all four are in strong positions to advance to the semi-finals. However it is a rariety that at least upset does not upset the apple cart. Having said that looking for any particular upset looks extremely difficult.

Senior FC quarter-final - Celbridge v Clane
Celbridge have been one of the faniced sides to go a long way before a ball was kicked in anger and looking back on the games thus far, they are, without doubt, one of the most consistent and impressive sides we have seen.

Huge experience throughout the team, from Shane McNamara, Fergal Conway, Hugh McGrillen, Mick O'Grady, the Browne boys and Kevin O'Callaghan they have, on paper, everything that a team needs to go all the way.

There inconsistency at his level of the competition over the past number of years, is certainly a worry, but they do look a better balanced and more determined side this time around are Clane who brought Eadestown's season to an end on Sunday last.

Tom Cribbin's side were expected to be there or thereabout this time around but have been very disappointing, at least up to that win over Eadestown.

They certainly upped their game, got their big nameed playing well, Brian McLoughlin, Sam McCormack, Harry O'Neil, Shane O'Sullivan and Adam Fanning, to name just a few.

Still it is difficult to see anything other than a win for the boys in red.

Raheens vs Athy
Athy will be firm favourites to take this one. They lost narrowly to Celbridge in the group stages, probably the game of the season to date. Again lots of experience in Kevin Feely (expected to be fit for this one), the Kelly brothers, Michael Spillane (a lad with a big future), Cathal McCarron to name just a few.

Raheens will be more than pleased to get this far, they drew their last game against Johnstownbridge but got through on scoring difference.

Paddy Woodgate injury a major blow but they can still call on some fine players such as the youthful David MacParlin, Jack Taaffe, Gavin Thompson, Dara Crowley (big future), Fionn Cooke, the experience Graham Waters to name a few.

Interesting to see how the Caragh team will play tactically, they have up to now at times playing it very tight at the back, one feels that will not surfice against Athy who are expected to progress.

Naas vs Johnstownbridge
Naas have come to this stage without much fuss or bother as one would expect.

In the final group game, against Sarfields, they were always in control despite not firing on all cylinders.
Moving Tom Browne to no. 11 I have to say looks a real stroke, Brian Byrne is as sound as a trout, rarely makes a mistake,

Ryan Skinkey is improving all the time; up front Darragh Kirwan is a class act while Dermot Hanafin is a handful for any full back.

A bit of a worry if Eoin Doyle is not fit, picked up an injury v Sarsfields while James Burke was out with a hamstring. Both vital for the Naas cause.

The opposition Johnstownbridge certainly upped their game on Saturday last when getting over the line, just about in the end, against Clogherinkoe.

Have to say I was impressed with The Bridge, the Cribbin boys are flying as is Sam Doran while Daniel Flynn was absolutely brilliant last weekend and if they reproduce that form, notwithstanding the late rally from The Cloghs, Johns-
townbridge could give Naas a fair run for their money, as they have in the not too distant past.
But still it is hard to see anything other but a win for the side looking to make it four-in-a-row.

Moorefield vs Sarsfields
A local derby between these sides is always a tough one to call, regardless of how they are playing heretofore, and this is in absolutely no different.

Sarsfields, second favs up to now, a little bit of better value following a few below par displays, but if playing Moorefield doesn't lift them, nothing will.

Some of their big names have not been firing, one wonders if the management have decided on their strongest line-out, both in personnel and positional, that certainly remains to be seen.

Moorefield will be delighted to get to the quarter final after clocking up three wins in a row in their (loser's) group and have shown marked improvement under the guidance of Frank Hannify and his management team.

An injury to Aaron Masterson is of concern but the ever-green Jason Philips and Kevin Murnaghan are playing as well as ever, as is Mark Dempsey but the real bonus is coming from the younger brigade, some who are tasting football at this level for the very first time.

Still with the likes of Ben McCormack, the Ryan boys, Callum Bolton, Matty Byrne, Shane Doyle they certainly remain a formidable outfit.

Earlier in the season nothing but a win for The boys from the bottom of the town would have been the prediction, however if they (Sarsfields) fail to reach the heights many believe they are capable of, then have no doubt they will have one hell of a fight on their hands.