Much at stake in round 3 of McCarthy Insurance Group Senior ”A” Football Championship;

While the relegation picture remains muddied in most grades, the Senior A Football Championship is remarkable because five teams are already eliminated.

For them, the final round is all about saving their senior status.

None of the five have registered a point, while score difference could yet save at least one of the quintet.

On the face of it, Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh against Kiskeam in Group 1, which now takes place on Sunday, September 22 having been put back a week due to a bereavement, and Clyda Rovers against Newmarket in Group 3 would appear to be relegation semi-finals.

However, if Fermoy were to take a clipping from Kanturk in Group 2, that could yet sway the make-up of the bottom pair. Newmarket and Fermoy have the most competitive score difference on -6.

They are followed by Béal Átha (-9), Kiskeam (-16), and Clyda (-21).

Newmarket and Fermoy also have the experience of surviving relegation finals behind them. 

In 2022, Ryan O’Keeffe’s 4-3 haul burned off Bandon. In 2023, Fermoy gutted out a 0-10 to 0-4 rescue act against Ilen Rovers.

Otherwise, the Avondhu side have lost their last seven group games in a row.

Their next opponents won’t make it easy for them. Kanturk are unbeaten across both codes, fuelled by the feelgood factor from blasting 3-16 against O’Donovan Rossa and 4-20 in their hurling clash with Charleville.

Fermoy can afford neither the slow start nor the wayward shooting that cost them against Dohenys.

Their trump card is championship top-scorer Ben Twomey (1-15) but the supporting cast needs to chip in more.

With all games throwing in at 2pm, live updates will be sought and calculators at the ready from Glantane to Carrigdrohid, where Béal Átha and Kiskeam meet, and Ballyclough, where Newmarket play Clyda.

Those four teams encountered each other in the same group last year.

Kiskeam clung on for a one-point victory over Béal Átha to stay up, although the Gaeltacht men still progressed to the quarter-finals. In 2022, it was Béal Átha who won by a pair.

Both sides suffered heavy opening-day defeats but have since shown signs of improvement.

Kiskeam shut up shop to remain competitive with Carrigaline while Béal Átha were edged out by Cill na Martra in a Gaeltacht ‘dearbaí’.

Mike Herlihy, Kiskeam, makes a pass under pressure from Cill na Martra. Picture: Larry Cummins

Seán O’Sullivan and Ben Seartan put in kicking exhibitions in defeat but Béal Átha are scoring more freely.

Newmarket and Clyda Rovers are also familiar foes. When they met in 2023, Newmarket were double scores better. In 2022, Conor Flanagan nabbed a draw.

Clyda are without Conor Corbett in attack and have yet to find the net while leaking seven goals to scuttle their score difference.

It would indicate the possibility of more green flags going against them although Newmarket have yet to raise one either.

With much at stake, there is plenty to draw out the crowds for the five games listed for a 2pm start.

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