Lacken and Gaels unhappy after SFC draw is made

Paul Fitzpatrick

Cavan Gaels and Lacken have expressed their disappointment at the result of the draw for the first round of the Hotel Kilmore SFC, which, if results go a certain way, could see the teams meeting twice in succession.

The clubs meet in a preliminary round tie, the loser of which will meet the loser of Drumgoon v Ramor. The winner of that tie will then play the winner of the first game again for a place in the quarter-final.

“We have no problem playing the Gaels but I thought they should have put in a provision before they made the draw that the teams couldn’t meet that early in the championship again,” said Lacken chairman Pauric Mahon.

“Apparently there was no provision made for that accoridng to the county board. It was an error they made, I’d say. I’m disappointed with it.
“It takes the good out of it a bit, there is no incentive to go out and beat the Gaels the first time round because if we beat them and they win the other match, we have to play them again in the next round anyway.”

A source in the Cavan Gaels club also expressed their disappointment.
“It’s not fair on either club. I would have just thought that the winner of Game C would have automatically dropped into the next position and the next two teams out would fulfil the fixtures. I think it was said at an executive county board meeting that it wouldn’t happen,” he said.

The Cavan Gaels executive will discuss the issue at a meeting tonight (Wednesday). Cavan Gaels chairman Michael Mooney raised the matter from the floor on the night.

“If you look at the format of the draw, it was impossible to predict in an advance... It didn’t become an issue when it wasn’t raised. The potential for clubs meeting will happen in the back door as well, it’s just unfortunate the way it came out,” stated CCC chairman Kevin Reilly in response to Mooney’s query from the floor.

A large crowd turned out on the night, which was very-well-organised. Philip Brady, Raymond Galligan and Pauric Rudden represented 2011 winners Mullahoran, Lacken and Laragh United respectively. The entire proceedings were filmed by CavanTV.com and broadcast live on Northern Sound radio.

The tie of the round in the SFC could be the meeting of 2011 finalists Castlerahan and Redhills, while champions Mullahoran play the winners of Drumgoon and Ramor and 2012 finalists Kingscourt meet Gowna.
In the IFC, Killeshandra play Cavan Gaels’ second string, with early favourites Cootehill facing Bailieborough.

The “group of death” in the ten-team JFC is Shannon Gaels, Knockbride and Cornafean, although Templeport, Munterconnaught and Kill are also paired together.

Losing first-round teams will enter the “back door” in the senior and intermediate, with the top team in each group in the junior proceeding to the semis and the second-placed sides playing off for the final spot.
The SFC is proposed to start on July 21,  with the other two throwing in on August 11 (TBC).

 

CHAMPIONSHIP DRAWS

SFC
Prelim round

A: Cavan Gaels v Lacken
B: Drumgoon v Ramor
C: Loser A v Loser B

First round
Winner B v Mullahoran
Killygarry v Denn
Cuchulainns v Belturbet
Winner A v Winner C
Crosserlough v Lavey
Castlerahan v Redhills
Ballinagh v Drumalee
Gowna v Kingscourt

IFC
A: Drumlane v Mountnugent
B: Killeshandra v Cavan Gaels

First round
Killinkere v Ballyhaise
Shercock v Drung
Winner B v Butlersbridge
Swanlinbar v Laragh United
Winner A v Ballymachugh
Bailieborough v Cootehill

JFC

Group A

Arva
Corlough
Kildallan
Maghera

Group B

Templeport
Munterconnaught
Kill

Group C

Shannon Gaels
Knockbride
Cornafean