Sink or swim time in Tipperary's county senior football championship

It’s crunch time in the FBD Insurance County Senior Football Championship this weekend, with the four quarter-finals down for decision.

Topping the bill is the clash of neighbours Clonmel Commercials and Moyle Rovers in Fethard GAA Park at 2.30pm on Sunday.

The Clonmel team topped their group with maximum points from their three matches and are eager to make amends for last year’s county final defeat by Loughmore/Castleiney, who denied them the opportunity to capture the three in a row for the first time since 1967.

SEE MORE: Tipperary hurlers visit former school with All-Ireland cups 

It took Commercials a while to get going in their most recent outing against Grangemockler/Ballyneale. They were behind by a point at half-time but they were much improved in the second half, eventually winning by 1-13 to 0-6. They have a strong, experienced team and their hopes will be carried by players of the calibre of Kevin Fahey, Michael Quinlivan, Jack Kennedy, Cian Smith, Seamus Kennedy, Tadhg Condon and Sean O’Connor.

Moyle Rovers qualified as the third team from their group, two points behind champions Loughmore and level on points with Upperchurch/Drombane.

READ NEXT: Funeral arrangements announced for Dr. Martin Mansergh

Loughmore beat them by a goal (3-13 to 2-13) in the third match in Group 3, although by that stage they were already assured of knockout football. The result could have been different, however, had they capitalised on all the chances that came their way. Liam Boland was their main source of scores in that game, when they also had fine performances from Riain Quigley, Jack Harney, Graham Vaughan, Luke Boland and goalkeeper Shane Ryan.

There’s seldom much between Commercials and Moyle Rovers in their championship games and another close tussle can be expected on Sunday.

Loughmore’s form has been ominous as they bid to retain their crown, which they collected as part of a county hurling and football senior championship double in 2024. Like Commercials, they won all of their three group games and will be fancied to account for Ballina in Sunday’s semi-final at 2.30 in Roscrea.

Goalkeeper Shane Hennessy, Willie Eviston, Ed Meagher, Eamon Connolly and Liam McGrath form a strong spine in their team, which can also call upon John McGrath, Brian McGrath, Tommy Maher and Philip O’Connell, who scored 1-3 against Moyle Rovers; as well as Noel McGrath and Liam Treacy.

Following last weekend’s hurling quarter-final defeat of Toomevara, they remain on course to retain both titles.

Ballina progressed to the last eight despite a defeat by Ardfinnan in their final group game. They’ll need big performances from Steven O’Brien, Teddy Doyle, Ben King, Eoghan Power and company if they’re to cause an upset.

The Kilsheelan/Kilcash v. JK Brackens quarter-final, which goes ahead in Cashel at 3.30 on Saturday, is a difficult one to call. Kilsheelan topped Group 1 with four points, despite shipping a heavy 1-16 to 0-8 defeat by Ballyporeen in their last game.

They were without several injured players for that game and will be hoping that Liam Freaney, Jamie Roche, Mikey McGuire and Mark Stokes will be available this weekend.

JK Brackens survived a stern test from Killenaule a fortnight ago before emerging with a 0-17 to 3-7 victory. Their hopes on Saturday could depend upon the performances of players including Conor and Paddy Cadell, Jack Kennedy, Eanna McBride and Tipperary All-Ireland hurling winner Andrew Ormond.

The remaining quarter-final pits Aherlow against Upperchurch/Drombane in Golden at 4.30 on Saturday. Last year’s intermediate champions Aherlow will view their participation in the last eight as progress. They drew with Cahir two weeks ago (1-13 each), a late goal from Micheál Elligott earning them a share of the spoils.

They have several other talented performers, including Tadhg Carew, Mark Russell, Liam Carew and Diarmuid Looby, who are bound to provide Upperchurch with a stiff challenge. The Mid team powered their way into the quarter-finals by beating Arravale Rovers 2-10 to 1-4 in their final game in Group 3. On that day they had solid performances from Paul and Luke Shanahan, Conor Fahey and Paddy Phelan.