Clann na nGael already ahead in race for title

The race for a place in next year's Intermediate Football Championship got under way a couple of week's before next weekend's SFC and IFC campaigns, but the picture isn't any clearer after the opening round of games.

Before a ball was kicked in anger, Dunsany, Ballinlough, Clann na nGael, St Brigid's, Syddan and Kilmainham were considered the main contenders for honours and with Kilmainham and Syddan still to play and the other four teams picking up opening round wins that is still very much the case.

Of those sides with a genuine outside chance Kilbride were the ones who fell short, losing out by just four points to Clann na nGael, but if anything the opening round of games proves that the Junior Championship is even more wide open than was expected.

Dunsany didn't exactly set the world alight with their 0-11 to 0-6 win over St Ultan's, while Ballinlough and St Brigid's needed three goals each in their respective wins over Moylagh and St Vincent's.

So what's the lie of the land now?

Syddan and Kilmainham still have to get their campaigns up and running after receiving byes in the opening round and as they sat back and watch they will have seen very little to distract them from the belief that they can seriously contend for top honours.

Most of the genuine contenders have recently sampled life in the higher Intermediate grade and all will fancy their chances of a swift return.

Dunsany remain the perennial contenders and while they will be once again considered it is hard to see just how often they can go back to the well.

Clann na nGael were recent winners of the JFC and still retain that feeling and more importantly the know-how for getting over the line. They remain an exciting attacking team and their 2-11 to 0-13 victory over a highly rated Kilbride side will have made the other contenders sit up and take notice.

There is still a huge reliance on Mickey Newman to get the scores for Kilmainmham. Last year they enjoyed a superb league, but then slumped in the championship.

If teams can find a way to contain the former Meath marksman then they will go a long way towards shackling Kilmainham, but it may take until the semi-finals before a team is good enough to get the better of the Kells parish men.

Syddan are another side of undoubted quality, but who failed to deliver when much was expected of them. It's not that long ago that they were competing in the top flight of the league that should be standing to them. However, they have struggled to use those experiences in the championship and when it gets to the nitty-gritty of the knockout stages they might just come up short again.

St Brigid's, who are more accustomed to operating at Junior B level in recent years, opened life in the higher grade with an impressive win over a St Vincent's side that recently spent a season in the Intermediate grade.

Those halcyon days seem like a long time ago now for the Ardcath men, but they are capable of picking up a win or two which might have a massive say in who emerges from the group.

Youth and enthusiasm could be the key to a Ballinlough challenge, but they have endured a few setbacks in recent years and while they are undoubtedly an up and coming force this year might be a step too far for them, although any team that beats them will be considered serious contenders.

This is a wide open championship. Experience is key and having won the JFC in 2019 and sampled a few years at the higher level where they were very competitive Clann na nGael are tipped for a swift return.