Inside Track with John McIntyre

KNOCKOUT GAA championships tend to be a different ball game compared to what has already unfolded in the group stages of a title race. Look at last weekend’s Galway senior football quarter-finals for instance. Mountbellew-Moylough (8/15), Salthill/Knocknacarra (8/11), Moycullen (1/7) and Annaghdown (4/7) were all strong favourites to varying degrees, and grouping them together looked a gilt-edged accumulator.

But those of us who speculated on such a scenario were made sweat bucketloads before these four teams advanced – a reality confirmed by a skimpy aggregate margin of five points. Mountbellew-Moylough, Salthill/Knocknacarra and Moycullen all scrambled home by a solitary point, while Annaghdown only came through on a 1-8 to 0-9 scoreline.

Against that background, the four vanquished teams from the weekend will all be kicking themselves for not being still involved in the championship. St Michael’s, Claregalway, Tuam Stars and Corofin had their chances to spring upsets, but came up agonisingly short over a 24-hour period when the weather suddenly lurched into a more winter-like environment.

We had thought that title-holders Mountbellew-Moylough were a little ahead of the rest, but they were given an almighty scare by Corofin at Tuam Stadium last Saturday. Considered in transition and without county defenders Liam Silke and Kieran Molloy, the former kingpins looked to have an uphill challenge on their hands, but they rose to challenge in typical Corofin style.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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