It doesn’t seem that long ago that Aughavas were crowned County Champions but that title goes on the line next weekend when the first round of the Masonite Leitrim Senior Football Championship bursts into life. And just like last year, a lot of clubs will fancy their chances of lifting the ultimate prize in Leitrim club football!

By John Connolly

No disrespect to Aughavas but many clubs feel they have a chance of dethroning the champions as standards have levelled out and so many clubs believe they have the ability to win out.

In any given year, Allen Gaels, St. Mary’s, St. Caillins, Glencar/Manor and Gortletteragh would be consider strong contenders while Melvin Gaels, Sean O’Heslin’s and Bornacoola fancy their chances. And how about Division One B sensations Drumkeerin and Ballinaglera as complete outsiders or the huge, if unfulfilled, talent of Mohill.

And to cap it all off, Aughavas will be defending their crown - there is no prouder club in the county and although many feel the loss of inspirational manager P.J. Carroll may prove too much of a handicap, Aughavas will want to do themselves credit as they defend their crown.

It all adds up to a most interesting and fascinating first round and hopefully, the first round games will hold a bit more bite than last year’s first round games did.

With pairings like Carrigallen & Drumreilly, Aughawillan & Sean O’Heslin’s, St. Caillin’s & Kiltubrid, Glencar/Manor & Melvin Gaels, Drumkeerin & Ballinaglera, next weekend’s games will carry real fire and passion and start what should be a long and exciting Summer of Championship action. Below we take a brief look at the games:

Group One

Glencar/Manor v Melvin Gaels

Could you get any better of a first round clash? Two former champions and deadly local rivals meeting in the first round. The round robin nature might rob the game of some of it’s all or nothing aspect but it’s hard to imagine either side standing back and taking it easy. Both have identical records in the League which they have started slowly but when it comes to championship, they will be different propositions. Melvin Gaels have lost Colin Regan while Manor have lost the leadership of manager Jim Carty - will they balance each other out? At this time of year, it’s hard to know how either will go - form hasn’t yet been built up while the Gaels have a larger contingent in action with the County side. Manor have had the edge in recent seasons and should just about maintain it on Sunday.

Prediction: Glencar/Manor.

Mohill v St. Mary’s

Two enigmas face to face and it is anybody’s guess as to how this match will go. Both have huge potential but both failed rather badly to deliver last year. St. Mary’s have more experience and probably the greater resources with Brendan Guckian,

Ollie McGuinness, Jimmy Guckian and Fergal Reynolds on the County side. Mohill too have a large representation with Shane Canning, Michael McGuinness and Paul McDermott and the experience of George Dugdale to call on. It will be a tight one - Mohill will hope to use their youth and speed to expose St. Mary’s but the Carrick team have an edge in the physical stakes and that should carry them through a close encounter.

Prediction: St. Mary’s

Group Two

Carrigallen v Drumreilly

A repeat of last year’s disappointing game when Drumreilly’s challenge failed to materialise. The question now is what version of either team will turn up on Saturday? Drumreilly have proved very difficult opponents in the League with the combination of James Holohan and Olly Maguire proving unbeatable. Carrigallen have been up and down but possess a lot of very talented footballers - the question is can they deliver. Carrigallen were very unlucky in a playoff last year and while Drumreilly will be a far greater test this year, they probably have the edge and should sneak it.

Prediction: Carrigallen.

Aughawillan v Sean O’Heslin’s

A meeting to stir the blood? A lot of the bite has gone out of the meetings of these two sides but the championship is sure to revive old rivalries. Both teams feature a lot of players who haven’t really experienced a meeting with their greatest rivals and it will be an education for them. Neither side is going well in the League but that will matter for little here. Both still rely on the battle hardened warriors of Mickey Quinn, Paul Kieran, Gerry Flanagan, Brian Breen, etc but Saturday could see the emergence of the new generation. Gavin Beirne, Paul Prior, Gary Deane for Aughawillan, Sean Murray, Johnny McWeeney, Paul McLoughlin for O’Heslin’s could all have big parts to play in this one. It will be close but one thinks that O’Heslin’s should just about shade it here.

Prediction: Sean O’Heslin’s.

Group Three

Allen Gaels v Gortletteragh

A repeat of last year’s Semi-Final but the one thing we can expect is a game a lot closer than that encounter. For one, both sides feature new management and a lot of changes and it will be interesting to see how that affects both sides. Gortletteragh have had a mixed start to the League as they struggle to get over the fall out from their loss to Aughavas. Allen Gaels too have had problems with Barry McGuire and Padraig Hackett transferring - will all the happenings have any lasting effects on the teams? Gortletteragh have a lot of good quality players coming through but Seamus Quinn, without the benefit of County training, may not be as influential as in the past. The Gaels look a good bet to avenge their Semi-Final loss.

Prediction: Allen Gaels.

Kiltubrid v St. Caillin’s

Initially, you wouldn’t expect much from this game but it could be one of the most bitterly contested encounters of the weekend as two neighbours come face to face, particularly after the clubs split from their U-21 amalgamation last year. Kiltubrid showed a lot of spirit last year in their games but have had a bad start to the League. St. Caillin’s are flying under new manager Eamon McGowan but the test will once again be can they deliver in the Championship. It will be a lot tighter than most expect with Kiltubrid’s lively forwards causing problems. But St. Caillin’s should have the edge in the physical stakes and take the victory in this one.

Prediction: St. Caillins.

Group Four

Drumkeerin v Ballinaglera

This could be the game of the round as both teams have nothing to lose. Drumkeerin have had a great start to the League and will fear nobody while Ballinaglera know they let a great chance to make the quarter-finals slip last year. Ballinaglera were unfortunate last year not to make the last eight where only a lack of self-belief cost them dearly. Drumkeerin probably have an edge in their greater spread of scoring forwards but Ballinaglera won’t fear their North Leitrim neighbours. It will be tight, passionate and full of commitment but Drumkeerin will probably edge it after a titanic battle.

Prediction: Drumkeerin.

Bornacoola v Aughavas

Champions Aughavas start the defence of their crown on Saturday but will have it far from easy against a Bornacoola team who believe that they must start making real progress in the championship this year. The Bors have been regarded as a coming team but let themselves down by a poor start last year. Aughavas could be missing Fintan McBrien but the form of Adrian Charles and Padraig McLoughlin should compensate. The question for Aughavas is how much P.J. Carroll’s departure has hit them. They will be determined to prove they are no one-hit wonder and that determination should get them through a difficult Bornacoola challenge.