County Senior Football Championship Preview
GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Football Championship Round 3 Preview
By Shane Brophy
The final round of games in the group stage of the County Senior Football Championship take place next weekend.
Eight teams will progress from the three groups in the strange format brought around by Drom & Inch pulling out of the championship leaving thirteen teams involved.
GROUP 1
Saturday, 31st August
Kilsheelan/Kilcash v JK Brackens in Cashel @ 4.00pm
Ardfinnan v Grangemockler/Ballyneale in Monroe @ 4.00pm
There is still a lot to decide in this group. With Kilsheelan/Kilcash eliminated from the hurling championship, the South side can really go after their football with their talented squad. JK Brackens are in a good spot to qualify, even with a loss, and after not taking any chances with injured players against Kiladangan in the hurling last weekend, might do so again which opens the door for Kilsheelan to finish top. Ardfinnan would need a fourteen point loss for Brackens to qualify, even if they were to beat Grangemockler so essentially Ardfinnan are looking for Brackens to take the game seriously. Grangemockler can get out of relegation with a win over Ardfinnan.
GROUP 2
Friday, 30th August
Ballina v Upperchurch/Drombane in Newport @ 6.45pm
GROUP 3
Sunday, 1st September
Arravale Rovers v Loughmore/Castleiney in Dundrum @ 3.30pm.
Ballyporeen v Killenaule in Ardfinnan @ 3.30pm.
Clonmel Commercials v Moyle Rovers in Kilsheelan @ 3.30pm.
Four teams qualify from this group where the three group games are determined by the pre-draw seedings. The game of the round is the clash of rivals Moyle Rovers and Clonmel Commercials where top spot and a seeding for the quarter finals is at stake. The loser will likely fall into the second seeds for the quarter finals which opens the door for Loughmore/Castleiney to finish second. They face a tough task against Arravale Rovers who could need a draw to qualify as a loss opens the door for Killenaule to catch them on score difference, should the robins get the better of Ballyporeen who cannot qualify as they lost the head-to-head with Arravale.