St Dominic's will prove stiff opposition for Aughnasheelin

After a season overcoming an injury list that would have crippled most teams, Aughnasheelin look to extend their season next Sunday when they host an impressive St Dominic's from Roscommon in the AIB Connacht Intermediate Club Championship Semi-Final in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada (1.30 pm throw-in).

Aughnasheelin's journey to the Smith Monumentals Intermediate title this year was a story of resilience and a club rising to counter blow after blow and they face another serious challenge next Sunday against a St Dominic's side who would fancy a long run in Connacht this year.

Two left standing as St Mary's & Aughnasheelin bid for Connacht glory

With good reason too, St Dominic's are one of those teams who spent a lot of time knocking on the door having lost the 2020 and 2021 Roscommon Intermediate Finals at the hands of Oran and St Faithleach's and both losses came after extra-time. That St Faithleach's went on to win the Connacht Intermediate title last year suggests a rich pedigree.

Based in Knockcroghery between Roscommon town and Athlone, St Dominic's are known as a well conditioned and physical team which means they should match up well against an Aughnasheelin side who boast those very self-same qualities.

Dominic's Captain Eoin McCormack played all of Roscommon's league games in 2022 and was best player against Sligo in Connacht championship but was surprisingly left out of the team for the Connacht Final. Keith Doyle, a tall, rangy midfielder who may come up against Aughnasheelin's powerhouse Aaron Hoare, and Jack Lohan were both members of the Roscommon team who reached the 2021 All-Ireland U20 Final.

Their goalkeeper Mark Miley also has a strong history and was the goalkeeper  for Roscommon's All-Ireland Minor winning side all the way back in 2006 and would have been around County Senior squads for a few years while Daire Keenan and Darren Donnelly will pose a threat in the forwards.

Late injury time goal blast sees St Mary's through St Kiernan's scare in Ruislip

ST KIERNAN'S 1-8 ST MARY'S KILTOGHERT 3-8

One wonders how St Dominic's will react to this competition as, after their two previous final losses, they were the stand out favourites in Roscommon this year but struggled to get over Eire Og in the Roscommon Final, winning 2-8 to 2-6. You've got to wonder if, after their two previous near misses, will they be satisfied with what they've achieved so far this year?

The same question could be asked of Aughnasheelin - winning the Leitrim Final took enormous effort and they haven't had a game since. They've had the time to recover from their celebrations but there is no doubt that when they get the bit between their teeth, Terence Reynolds' side are tremendously difficult to beat.

With the worsening pitch conditions due to heavy rain, Aughnasheelin will feel their physical power will be an advantage and if they can build from midfield, they have forwards in Fintan Fitzpatrick and Gavin Sammon (pictured inset with manager Terence Reynolds) who can do real damage to St Dominic's.

The loss of Cormac Sammon to Australia is a big blow, his non-stop energy and constant harrying a loss to Aughnasheelin's pressure game. Reynolds will also be hoping that Cian Sammon is fully recovered after he departed the Intermediate Final early with injury but at full-strength, they are a formidable outfit.

Cruel, cruel heartbreak for Kiltubrid as Charlestown sneak injury time victory

KILTUBRID 0-12 CHARLESTOWN SARSFIELDS 1-10

With the St Mary's Tourlestrane game on Sunday in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada, the condition of the pitch could have a major say in this contest. Pairc Sean does try out reasonably well but it is likely that the heavy surface will test both teams.

St Dominic's probably start as favourites but that could be based as much on their county's reputation as anything else, even if they are undeniably a quality side. But if the Leitrim champions are motivated and recovered from their County Final celebrations, they'll test anyone and as Aughnasheelin have shown all year, they've overcome much bigger obstacles on their road to success!