Four-in-a-row chasing Naas handed tough Championship draw
Naas begin their efforts to win a fourth successive Kildare SFC title with a mouthwatering game against Moorefield Photo: ©INPHO/James Lawlor
Four-in-a-row chasing Naas will face ten-time champions Moorefield in the Preliminary Round of the Joe Mallon Motors Senior Football Championship following tonight’s draws.
The games, to be played on the weekend after the August bank holiday, feature a number of interesting local derbies, none more so than last year’s Intermediate Champions Caragh facing neighbouring Raheens in their first game back at senior level.
Meanwhile 2023 and 2024 beaten finalists Celbridge have a difficult opener against Clane while in-form Maynooth will be out for revenge against local rivals Kilcock who ended their campaign last year with a shock win in the final group stage game.
The Intermediate Championship has new sponsors this year in National Electric Wholesale and Round Towers will be many people’s favourites for that title. They open against St Kevin’s, while newly promoted Junior Champions Ellistown play relegated St Laurence’s as both get re-acquainted with the second tier.
Finalists last year Leixlip face semi-finalists Rathangan in one of the other intriguing games to come out of the draw while Division 1 side Sallins, who will be highly fancied again this year, face Nurney.
The Preliminary Round games in Senior and Intermediate take place the first weekend after the August Bank Holiday with results dictating whether teams go to winners or losers groups for the group stages.
The Tom Cross Transport Junior Championship was also drawn tonight with two groups of six teams and no preliminary round. Group A looks particularly enticing with high-flying Grange, last year’s beaten finalists Kill, newly relegated Ballymore Eustace and Castlemitchell all teams who will fancy their chances.
Athgarvan, like Grange, are upwardly mobile in the league and they be hopefully of progression from Group B where Rathcoffey and Robertstown are likely to provide stiffest competition. That competition kicks off on 19/20 July.
Kilcock v Maynooth
Clogherinkoe v Allenwood
Sarsfields v Carbury
Clane v Celbridge
Moorefield v Naas
Caragh v Raheens
Eadestown v Athy
Johnstownbridge v Confey
Ellistown v St Laurence’s
Ballyteague v Kilcullen
Milltown v Monasterevan
Round Towers v St Kevin’s
Nurney v Sallins
Castledermot v Suncroft
Rathangan v Leixlip
Straffan v Two Mile House
Grangenolvin, Ballymore Eustace, Kildangan, Kill, Rheban, Castlemitchell
Ballykelly, Cappagh, Ardclough, Robertstown, Rathcoffey, Athgarvan
