Date Published: 19-May-2011

STEPHEN GLENNON

APART from Annaghdown’s mildly surprising defeat of Mountbellew Moylough, the formbook held true in the preliminary round of the Galway senior football championship last weekend.

Among the ten clubs now fighting for survival are city rivals St. James’ and St. Michael’s who have been drawn against one another in what should be a keenly contested derby fixture in the championship qualifiers, which take place on the weekend of May 28-29.

Both sides suffered defeat in their opening round SFC outings last weekend, with St. Michael’s falling to county champions Killererin on a scoreline of 1-11 to 2-7, while 2010 intermediate champions St. James’ were unceremoniously brushed aside, 1-17 to 1-9, by Eoin O’Donnellan’s Claregalway in their first round game.

No doubt, the impending qualifier clash is a hugely important game for both clubs as defeat would consign the loser to a relegation battle later in the summer. Given the significant progress made by St. James’ and St. Michael’s in developing the game locally in recent years, a relegation dogfight would be a backward step for both clubs.

On the evidence of the opening round, though, St. Michael’s will enter that game as favourites. Despite the absence of key players such as Eddie Hoare and Greg Rogan, the Westside outfit came so close to a memorable win over the county champions.

Indeed, St. Michael’s had led 2-4 to 0-6 at the interval, but when Killererin introduced Nicky Joyce to proceedings at half-time, the tide slowly began to turn against the Galway City men. Joyce subsequently netted the winning goal, albeit under controversial circumstances – there was a suspicion of a square ball – with just three minute to go.

That said, there were enough signs to suggest St. Michael’s could be a force in the championship and a derby victory over St. James’ may just be the catalyst for a sustained run this summer.

As for St. James’, their debut outing in the senior championship ended in the ignominy of an eight-point defeat to Claregalway. It really was an eye-opener for the Renmore/Mervue side, who boasted 12 of the starting fifteen that claimed Connacht intermediate title honours last October.

However, as disappointing a defeat as this was for St. James’, with players of the quality of Johnny Duane, Paul Conroy and Eoin Concannon in the side, they could still make an impact in the senior competition.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.