Gormley uPVC Senior Football Championship Round 1A
Latton v Magheracloone, Saturday, 5.00, Clontibret
Gormley uPVC Senior Football Championship Round 1B
Castleblayney v Doohamlet, Saturday, 6.30, Clontibret
Latton and Magheracloone contest the last SFC first-round game on Saturday in Clontibret.
Latton scraped past Doohamlet in a low-scoring preliminary-round match, while Magheracloone were comfortable winners against Currin. Magheracloone have ten points in the league, leaving them two points ahead of Latton, but the O’Rahillys had a three-point win over their opponents in their first meeting of the year.
Latton have been without injured midfielder Owen Lennon for four months at this stage, so they will need Owen and Kieran Duffy, Aidan Farmer, Bernard O’Brien, Shane and Owen Coyle and Hugh McElroy to lead their challenge. Magheracloone have themselves been minus a number of key players at times this year, but they should now be able to call on key players like Tommy and Damien Freeman, Gavin Doogan, James and Pete Ward and Paudie Finnegan for what is expected to be a close battle.
Next up in Clontibret is the back-door game between Castleblayney and Doohamlet.
Blayney, who lost to Ballybay in the first round, are on a good run, having lost just one of their last eight league games on their way to sitting fourth in the table. Doohamlet have struggled so far, losing a number of close games, including their championship opener against Latton. Blayney are now 12 points clear of bottom-placed Doohamlet and they had a three-point win when they met in May.
Blayney should have Dermot Malone back from injury to lead their challenge along with Martin McElroy, Ciarán and Barry Hanratty and Cormac Brady. Colin Walshe’s cruciate injury has robbed Doohamlet of their star man and with Paul McArdle in the USA, they will need Barry McGinn, Darren Connolly, Shane and Ciarán McManus and Conor Marray on top form if they are to upset the odds.
By cshalvey Sat 23rd Aug
