Stakes higher that ever in 2024 Leitrim Club Championships

Is there any bigger prize than lifting the Fenagh Cup? Well, maybe this year, there is because the 2024 Connacht Gold Leitrim SFC will see a cull of three teams thanks to the restructuring of the championships in the county - so avoiding the relegation battle may almost be as good as taking home the title!

That's a little bit of  hyperbole, if we're being honest - nothing beats winning the titles but chatting to the experts, most cannot see past the gang of four - the last three winners in defending champions Mohill, St Mary's Kiltoghert and Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins and last year's League winners Fenagh St Caillins with everybody reckoning that the race to avoid the drop will occupy the thoughts of everyone else.

That's not to say that a team could emerge from the shadows to upset the apple cart but with teams losing players to emigration, retirement, travel and some away on holidays or playing football in the US, many teams might not get to field their strongest line-up until we reach the knock-out stages - and by then, it might just be too late!

Much the same  applies to the Smith Monumentals IFC - three teams will drop down at the end of this campaign and, for the first time, we have a staggered start with three games this week and the remaining two the following weekend. With a tight and tough schedule of games, that might prove vital when it comes down to the business end of the championship.

ST MARY'S CLAIM MASONITE DIVISION 1 CROWN

Next weekend's championship is overshadowed by Leitrim Ladies' All-Ireland Final, and rightly so! The stakes won't get too high for a few weeks but a good start can be key so we take a look ahead to an intriguing set of first round contests and try to pick a few winners!

Connacht Gold SFC

St Patrick's Dromahair v Mohill - On the face of it, this should be pretty simple for Mohill as they come up against a Dromahair team who lost the Division 3 final at the weekend. Even without Keith Beirne & Jordan Reynolds, you'd expect the champions to repeat their heavy win of last year but rumours that one or two other players may be missing could cause a few concerns for the champions. The reality is that Dromahair have probably resigned themselves to a relegation battle and will have their eyes on that rather than shocking the champions - a comfortable win for Eamonn O'Hara's side.

Leitrim Gaels v Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins - Leitrim Gaels suffered a heavy beating in the League at the hands of Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins but the manner of the 2021 champions loss to St Mary's in the League final may raise a few doubts. Leitrim Gaels have quite a few good young players coming through but the loss of experienced performers like the Moretons, David Bruen, Aaron McLoughlin won't help their cause - expect Ballinamore, with last weekend's loss to drive them, to take the verdict.

Aughawillan v Annaduff - This could be a game that sets up the winner to avoid a relegation battle. Aughawillan did what they had to do to avoid relegation in Division 1 but they did suffer a few heavy defeats - Annaduff didn't make it out of Division 2 but in Darren Cox, they have a player who can light up the championship and they appear to be hitting form at just the right time. Both these sides like to play a ferocious pressing game and are capable of mixing it up. It could go either way but  home advantage might just swing it.

Gortletteragh  v Glencar Manorhamilton - Most of us would have new Division 2 champions Glencar Manorhamilton as hot favourites but Gortletteragh beat them, away from home, in the league and  they'll have home advantage here - will that make a big difference? Manor will take a lot from seeing off Melvin Gaels but the fact  they're without Barry McNulty won't help but they have quite a bit of experience. Gortletteragh finished bottom of the table last year but found form at just the right time to avoid the drop - they will need a much better performance here. This will be tight but Manor get the dreaded nod.

Fenagh St Caillins v St Mary's Kiltoghert - The big game of the weekend is a curious one: St Mary's just won the League title and were finalists last year, winners the year before but many see Fenagh as favourites. With Ryan O'Rourke leading an attack that features his cousin Riordan as well as Oisin & Fergal McLoughlin, St Caillins have huge scoring potential and all around the field, they have big physical players able to get around - they'll be very hard beaten. St Mary's will take quite a bit from their league final win given it was achieved without Paul Keaney, Conor Farrell, James McGrail, Sam Barnes and Jack Casey  - how many of them will be back on Friday  is hard to know but what they showed against Ballinamore is that they aren't afraid to hold onto possession and wait for their chances.  They showed that in the League contest where three goals decided the issue. A defeat wouldn't be the end of the world for either team but both will want to send out a message. St Mary's are the form team but Fenagh, at home, may just edge it.  

Smith Monumentals IFC

Drumreilly v Kiltubrid - On paper, it wouldn't seem as if there is much between these teams with Kiltubrid relegated from division 2 but  a look at the age profile and the fact that Jack Foley, Con Doyle & Ralph McKeown played big roles in Mac Diarmada Gaels' U20 title triumph recently might suggest that they will have a bit more momentum. Drumreilly have been struggling for numbers for a while and a young, driven Kiltubrid side should take the verdict here.

Aughavas v Melvin Gaels - Another intriguing game as the Division 3 winners come up against the Division 2 runners-up yet few will back against the Kinlough men who were finalists last year and play a style of football that is very hard to counter against. With Cillian McGloin back in action, you've got to think they will have too much for Aughavas, particularly with their young team have another year of experience under their belt.

Allen Gaels v St Mary's Kiltoghert - This shouldn't be difficult to call as Allen Gaels have genuine cause for optimism in this year's Intermediate championship. Jake Tobin, Radek & Arek Oberwan, Ciaran McMorrow are that bit older and more experienced and in Ciaran Walsh, they have a genuine scoring threat. They come up against a very strong St Mary's second string team but that won't worry the Carrick men as their young players are full of potential - always a good rivalry between these two but the Gaels should take it.