No blockbuster but plenty of intrigue in Connacht SFC first round clashes

The draw for the opening round of the Connacht Gold Leitrim SFC hasn't thrown up the blockbusters of last year but perhaps that will mean teams will feel they have a better chance of starting their 2023 campaign off with a win.

Defending champions St Mary's Kiltoghert will travel to Gortletteragh as both teams look to recover from loss in League finals last weekend while Aughnasheelin are on the road to Corlough to take on their fellow parishioners in Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins.

2022 finalists Mohill are on the road to Dromahair while Aughawillan host a Glencar Manorhamilton team who were relegated in the League but perhaps the biggest game of the first round is the meeting of newly crowned League champions Fenagh St Caillins and Leitrim Gaels, two teams with a fierce rivalry in the last six or seven years.

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Ironically, both Fenagh and the Gaels topped the group stages last year to qualify straight for the semi finals and that is the interesting question for this year - does qualifying directly for the semi-finals help or hinder your chances? One year is too soon to answer but this year might give some clues to an interesting conundrum.

Again, I'd rather eight teams in the competition and an earlier start in the Summer and no Friday game is a major disappointment as it cuts down on the ability of fans to take in other games but the new format is thrilling and left everything up for grabs. If it produces the same drama as we got last year, we should be in for a treat in 2023.

Here is a brief preview of next Saturday's games:

Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins v Aughnasheelin - In normal circumstances, we'd talk about the fire of a derby but the injury crisis suffered by Aughnasheelin who will be missing Fintan Fitzpatrick & Darragh Gunn with Ciaran Cullen off on his travels means that last year's Intermediate champions are nowhere near full strength. Thing is, Ballinamore have also have their struggles - if they have Tom Prior and Shane Moran back on the field, it will help but the absence of Oisin McCaffrey, Keelan McHugh, Brian Banks, Niall McGovern and Wayne McKeon has been sorely felt. This will be tight but you'd expect O'Heslins to take the victory.

Gortletteragh v St Mary’s Kiltoghert - Has last Saturday's loss to Fenagh shattered the feeling of invincibility around the defending champions? Or will it fire them again - they were sluggish against Fenagh but Gortletteragh won't offer the same physical test that St Caillins did. One wonders what the mood will be in the home camp after losing out to Drumkeerin in the Division 3 Final will be? Will it galvanise them or sink the ship? On all known form, you have to expect a reaction for St Mary's - the champions to get back on track with a win 

Fenagh St Caillins v Leitrim Gaels - With Joe & Tommy McCormack leading them to the League title, Fenagh have got to feel really good right now as they claimed the League title without their talisman Ryan O'Rourke. They'll want him back as soon as possible but just the boost of winning without him is immeasurable. Leitrim Gaels have been up and down this year and the return of David Bruen has got to be a boost. Unfortunately, Enda Moreton heading away on his travels last Monday may just negate that as Moreton is so central to everything the Gaels do in attack. The danger for Fenagh is that the Gaels produce one of their stubborn, powerful displays and they'll need no reminding that Leitrim Gaels won the meeting between the teams last year. Still, you've got to think that Fenagh will continue their League form, which included an 11 point win over the Gaels, and open with a victory next Saturday

St Patrick’s Dromahair v Mohill - On paper, this looks like the most straightforward. Mohill might have been fighting relegation on the last day in the League but they drew with Fenagh and were unlucky in a few games so their form is considerably stronger than that of Dromahair who were relegated from Division 2. A win for Mohill here.

Aughawillan v Glencar Manorhamilton - Never write off Glencar Manorhamilton but they have been struggling for a year or two now. A few of the veterans have come back but Barry McNulty remains their great hope. Unfortunately they come up against an Aughawillan side with the tools to combat him in Pearce Dolan and Mark Plunkett. Aughawillan had nine points to spare in the League meeting and you've got to think the same result will occur there. 

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Kiltubrid v Annaduff - League form would suggest Annaduff but the League also saw these two sides drawn in the opening round so who knows? Annaduff are one of the names I keep hearing as a favourite for the title but Kiltubrid have the capacity to explode into life and cause any team problems. A close hard fought tie in prospect but I think Annaduff may just shade it.