M Lambe Construction Warwickshire Senior Football Championship

St Finbarrs Complete Semi Final Pairings

St Finbarrs from Coventry repeated last years defeat of St Mary’s (Wolverhampton) to qualify for the Semi Finals of the M Lambe Construction Warwickshire Senior Football Championship.
A first half goal blitz gave them the ideal platform to win the match on a scoreline of 4:6 to 2:4, against a St Mary`s team that has recorded a number of impressive victories in the last 2 months.
St Marys now join Sean McDermotts, Four Masters and St Barnabas (the defeated quarter finalists) who will compete in the Fr Taaffe Cup.

Semi Finals
Sunday 28 August

Erin Go Bragh vs John
Mitchels Pairc Na h’Eireann

Long standing rivals and fierce competitors, Erin Go Bragh and John Mitchels dominated juvenile football in the county, particularly in the 1990s and both teams will have many players who have competed against each other since under 10 and under 12 age goups.
Erin Go Bragh had the most difficult task of any team to qualify as they had to defeat Sean McDermotts in their quarter final. Any team that beats McDermotts in the championship must have a lot to recommend it as McDermotts have been the yardstick by which all other teams in Warwickshire are judged in the last 10 years.
John Mitchels had an impressive victory over Four Masters to qualify. Although no-one would argue that Four Masters are better than Sean McDermotts, they have been very competitive this year and Mitchels performance should not be under estimated.
In recent weeks both teams have blown hot and cold and the semi final should be wide open. Maybe the team that wants it more or has that extra bit of luck on the day will win.

Roger Casements (holders)
vs St Finbarrs
Holbrooks, Coventry

A classic pairing of these great old Coventry rivals.
Holders Roger Casements will be making their second defence of their title, having had a goal to spare over St Barnabas in Nottingham, in the first round. They would appear to be just getting into their stride now, hitting form at the right time of the year.
St Finbarrs have made enormous progress this year and their form has improved steadily since the start of the season. Their victory over St Mary’s is all the more impressive when you consider how well St Mary’s have been playing.
Roger Casements will be favourites, as holders, but the old cliche says that “form goes out of the window” when local derbies take place.

Intermediate Football Championship

Also down to the semi final stage is the Intermediate Football Cham-pionship. These matches are set for August 14th and the pairing are as follows:

Roger Casements vs John
Mitchels (Coventry)
St Brendans vs O’Rahilly’s
(Pairc Na h’Eireann)

An interesting draw that sees two “second string” sides meet at Coventry where tradition might point to a Mitchels win, but form leaves little to go on.
The St Brendans/O’Rahilly’s clash is very interesting as it is a long time since each clubs first team has met in the championship.
St Brendans have been making steady progress at this grade during the year and although home venue may make them favourites, they will not underestimate O’Rahilly’s who have been strong challengers at this grade since it was re-introduced.

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Hurling News

Warwickshire Bow Out of Nicky Rackard Cup

Despite failing to win any of their 3 matches, Warwickshire hurlers made a good impression with the G.A.A. authorities and their opponents Longford and Monaghan in the competition.
In their final tie, Warwickshire went down to London on a scoreline of 1:23 to 1:6 at Ruislip. This was already a dead rubber for Warwickshire, but London made a big effort as failure to win could have caused difficulties for them in qualifying for the semi finals.
Warwickshire captain Mark Lyons commented that the team did not get going against London in what was their poorest performance in the cup. Richard O’Brien got the Warwickshire goal.

Warwickshire Senior Hurling
Championship

The great news for followers of hurling is that 5 teams have entered the Warwickshire Hurling championship. They are John Mitchels (holders), Erin Go Bragh and Roger Casements who competed in 2004, plus Sean McDermotts who have dominated Warwickshire hurling for long periods in the past and Fullen Gaels, a new team drawn from players in Lancashire.
It is hoped that this will result in an exciting competition that will see many new players turning out, which should strengthen the Warwickshire Hurling team for 2006.

The draw is as follows:
Erin Go Bragh vs Fullen Gaels, winners to meet Roger Casements in the first semi final.
Sean McDermotts vs John Mitchels (holders)
The draw has also been made for the Houlihan Cup, which excludes John Mitchels.
Erin Go Bragh (holders) vs Roger Casements
Sean McDermotts vs Fullen Gaels