25/02/03 Senior Championship draws 2003 unveiled

Club News

The Senior Championship draws were unveiled last night and, as so often happens, there were a few interesting ties thrown up, not least of all for St. John's seniors.

The hurlers, who will be hoping to go one further this year under the management of Brendan McGibbon, Paul Morgan, Gerard Cunningham and Eddie Connolly, have the unusual challenge of 3 matches before reaching the Quarter Final stage.

The St. John's Senior Hurlers will be hoping to go one better in this year's championship

They will take part in a 'round robin' style preliminary round in which they must face their quarter final opponents of 2002, Glenarrife, twice to decide who plays against either Gort Na Mona or St. Gall's for a place in the quarter final.

Should they progress to the quarter final they will play against city rivals Rossa, who were narrowly beaten after extra time by All-Ireland Club Hurling finalists Dunloy in last year's championship. Ironically the last time these two teams met in the championship Gerard Cunningham was also in the management set up and Brendan McGibbon was playing at corner back.

The footballers, and new manager Jackie Kelly, in comparison have what appears, on paper at least, to be an easier run in the senior football championship this year.

Jackie Kelly explains what he wants from his footballers this year during training.

They face Portglenone in the first round and then either Moneyglass or Rossa in the quarterfinal. Potentially this could be the championship year of 'Rossa Quarterfinals' should Rossa overcome Moneyglass. Rossa are something of a resurgent team in terms of football nowadays and whatever happens the ties promise to be exciting affairs.

A full Championship fixtures table will follow shortly.