A week after they walloped 2-15 past poor Claughaun, Adare could only muster up a disappointing draw in their concluding group outing with Fr. Casey’s (Abbeyfeale) at Dromcollogher.  That 0-9 apiece draw, coupled with some interesting results elsewhere, results in Adare taking an early dive from a championship in which they were always viewed as serious contenders.  Fr. Casey’s established an early lead, but the sides were level by the break.

Pole position in this group was taken by Dromcollogher/Broadford, who had enough points already to secure promotion even though they lost totally unexpectedly to St. Senan’s, 0-13 to 0-8, at Feenagh’s Kevin Long Memorial Park.  The scores flowed for the winners in the opening-half through Chris Hayes, David O’Flaherty, Paul Ryan and Ian Ryan, just back from a two-week training AFL camp down under.

It was as good as over at the break, St. Senan’s six points in front of last year’s finalists.

At the other end of the section, Claughaun weren’t able to match Monaleen and now are threatened with the real prospect of a dreaded drop down to intermediate grade for 2009, something unheard of with regards a one-time giant of the scene on Shannonside.  Claughaun remain the last club to annex both the senior hurling and football championships in the same season, 1986.

In Group One, defending champions Ballylanders remain the only team with a perfect record in the championship, retained by virtue of a 0-12 to 0-8 win against modern-day rivals Pallasgreen at Bruff.  The win established Eamon O’Neill’s side with a magnificent scoring difference of plus 30, well ahead of anything else thrown up by any of their rivals for the Fr. Casey Memorial Cup.

Pallasgreen still qualify for a quarter-final berth, with Newcastle West second here after  a decent 0-15 to 0-11 victory over Hospital/Herberstown – Stephen Kelly and Declan Brouder were those who made life hell on occasions for the southerners, who will be pleased though not to be involved in any relegation bother.  Instead that problem rests with Athea, who though they carved out a very commendable draw with St. Kieran’s, will have their work cut out to survive in the top flight.

Ballylanders and Dromcollogher/Broadford are assured of semi-final places, with the quarter-finals between Fr. Casey’s and Pallasgreen and Newcastle West and St. Senan’s.

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