It’s been a while – I’ve been away on work stuff over the past week and I’ve even got Mort’s book read since I was last on here so when I get a chance I’ll do a review of it. The all-island final has come and gone in the meantime (well done to the Aran Islands, commiserations to Achill) and now the focus is squarely on next Sunday’s Connacht senior club final between Ballintubber and Corofin at MacHale Park (throw-in 2pm).
As Patriot has pointed out in the comments, Sunday’s final is the deferred match being shown that day by TG4 but with the forecast for the day fine (if a touch on the cool side) there could be a decent-sized crowd in Castlebar to see the action in the flesh. I’ll once again be detained elsewhere, with St. Vincent’s taking on Garrycastle that same afternoon in the Leinster club semi-final up the road from us here in Parnell Park and it’s there I plan to be doing my roaring that day.
The field is starting to narrow down now in the race for the 2015 Andy Merrigan Cup. Munster looks like Austin Stacks’ to lose, Vinnies are hot favourites to win Leinster, Ulster is a toss-up between Omagh and Slaughtneil and we’ll know the Connacht champions on Sunday evening. The bookies have Vinnies followed closely by Corofin as the favourites to come out on top next spring but interestingly they’ve listed Ballintubber as third favourites. Full odds from Paddy Power here.
To be in the hunt for the Merrigan Cup, however, Ballintubber first have to prevail in Connacht and the same bookies currently have Corofin as the strong 4/9 favourites to win on Sunday. What do you reckon – who’ll be best in the West on Sunday?
Who'll win on Sunday?
- Ballintubber (73%, 130 Votes)
- Corofin (27%, 47 Votes)
Total Voters: 177
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Would be some achievement for Tubber to win out Connacht.
Ya it would be a fantastic achievement. Am expecting a great battle between the provinces best two teams. Corofin haven’t been tested all year and I think they will get a shock like St Bridget’s did two weeks ago.
Midfield is crucial and if Ballintubber can win most of the possession here and feed it to the forwards then the home side will win. Best of luck to the Boys from the Tubber!
Best of Luck to my Tubber team mates on Sunday
I will be watching on the sling Box and listening to Mid west from New Caledonia.
As mentioned before the midfield battle will be key. Jason Gibbons and Stephen Broderick are a good partnership and were outstanding against Bridgets.
I expect Corofin to pack the middle and try to stop possession and quick ball to the Ballintubber inside line who have the beating of what i think is a poor Corofin backline.
Stephen Rochford plays a kind fast running game with Gary Sice dropping deep and alot of switching of positions at the start of a match. I expect Corofin to start with a sweeper as they wont want to give away an early goal or two.
We owe them one as they just beat us in 2011 by a point at the same Venue
Ballintubber by 2 i think.
I think Ballintubber have already beaten a better side in St Brigids and last year corofin were beaten at home by Castlebar last year.
Corofin haven’t been tested this year and now much travel toMacHale park against a side that have beaten the last two Connacht winners in their last two games, Ballintubber forwards and midfield will be key to victory again I reckon.
BT have nothing to fear.They know how to win in tight situations and dont tend to panic.Hopefullu they can grind out a victory.