Raring to go for Round 2
Holders Old Leighlin started the defence of their crown with a win over Fenagh in Round 1 and now prepare to face high-flying Palatine in Round 2. Photo: Pat Ahern.
Rathvilly backed up their favourites tag in the opening round with a dominant win over Grange and they will fancy their chances of going two-from two on Thursday night.
Bagenalstown Gaels will be looking to bounce back from their four-point defeat to Éire Óg, but they will need to be far more clinical if they are to have any chance of toppling Rathvilly.
The last two intermediate champions face off on Friday night, with both sides looking to bounce back from heavy defeats in Round 1.
Fenagh fought hard in an 11-point defeat to holders Old Leighlin while a gallant Grange effort could not prevent a 14-point thumping from Rathvilly. Each side desperately need a win as tougher games lie ahead.
The defending champions always like to start well and Old Leighlin certainly ticked that box with an 11-point win in the first round. They will face a sterner test this coming Friday, however, against a Palatine side who were hugely impressive in their opener.
Mount Leinster Rangers played good football, but a Palatine side led by Mark Buggy had eight points to spare at the final whistle in a game where they scored 1-5 without reply in a decisive ten-minute spell before half time.
Two sides who made completely opposing starts to the championship face off on Saturday.
Éire Óg are looking for a second win to back up their impressive win over Bagenalstown Gaels, while Mount Leinster Rangers can not afford to slip up again after they were swept aside by Palatine this past weekend.
There was no more dramatic an end to a game anywhere in Carlow this past weekend as Éire Óg came from behind to stun Kildavin-Clonegal with an equalising goal and a match winning point – all in the last 90 seconds of stoppage time.
They will be riding high on that win when they travel to Fenagh on Thursday to take on the Fighting Cocks, themselves coming off a comeback victory – although in far less dramatic fashion – after they put four goals past Clonmore on their way to a five-point win.
The two sides who coughed up four goals apiece in Round 1 will hope for a change in fortunes when Tinryland and Clonmore face off on Friday night in Fenagh. In an incredibly tight Intermediate Championship, neither side can afford another slip-up in Round 2.
Kildavin-Clonegal will bring the baggage of Round 1 into this game on Friday having let a 60-minute lead slip through their fingers against Éire Óg.
Ballinabrana have no such trauma after they were comprehensively beaten by a strong Ballon side. This will be a good opportunity for both sides to reset, but the big question is will Kildavin-Clonegal come out spooked – or in search of blood? Time will tell.
St Patrick’s got the Intermediate Championship underway last Thursday with a confident performance that saw them rattle off four goals to beat Tinryland by seven points.
Ballon came out 24 hours later and showed off their credentials as well, making light work of Ballinabrana; but something has to give this coming Saturday in an intriguing pairing in Netwatch Cullen Park.
Leighlinbridge v Naomh Eoin, Paul Monahan Park, 7.30pm.
Asca v Éire Óg, Presentation College, 7.30pm.
Palatine v Kilbride, Palatine, 7,30pm.
O’Hanrahans v Rathvilly, O’Hanrahans, 7.30pm.
Bagenalstown Gaels v St Patrick’s, McGrath Park, 7.30pm.
Clonmore v Ballinabranna, Clonmore, 6pm.
Naomh Eoin v Tinryland, Myshall, 6pm.
Kildavin/Clonegal v Old Leighlin, Spellman Park, 6pm.
