A Shannonbridge guy rating themselves highly and Doon poorly? Who'd have thunk it.....
Anyway .....
There's no excuse for Rhode not topping the group, but then they did struggle a little bit in the earlier stages of last year - a better team tan Ferbane might have taken them in the first game, while Tullamore should have. They'll do enough to get through, but I wouldn't take it as read that they'll hack up in the group. Suffice it to say that from a Ferbane perspective, I'm glad we play them early. Tullamore on the other hand should improve, but a lot depends n how many games they have to play without James Keane - he was huge for them last year, and the contrast in their first and second half displays against Rhode in the county semi final says a lot. With him back they are the second best team, but they're vulnerable until that happens. I expect Edenderry to improve some but not enough - local rivalry will mean they have as good a chance as any of rattling Rhode, but in contrast to that I can see them struggling in the games Rhode will win at a canter. I still wouldn't discount Ballycumber, a lot will depend on how hungry they are this spring. If they genuinely try to kick on from last year's achievements, they can do enough to sneak through.
Group two is a poor enough group, and even though I think Shamrocks will do well to emulate last year, and in betting terms are probably a lay outright, they'll still have enough to cruise this group. The lack of a Doon midfield means that Shams will dominate them in play if not on the scoreboard, only Gracefield might rattle them.
Against that I expect Doon to beat Gracefield and go on to finish second in the group. The parish rivalry game against Pullagh will be interesting, but assuming they don't slip up there, I think the Vinny factor training them will make a world of difference.
Group three - a lot depends on which Clara lads are in Clara and not in America for the summer. They're actually feck all worse than the team which won the county title in 2003 if all the Mitchells etc are available. Given a full strength Clara, they win it easily, with any of the other three potentials for second. Brigid's if all other things are equal, Shannonbridge if
all their best players are fully fit and primed (and not playing junior football just so they won't have to get fit!!) and Rynagh's if Gary Mahon steps up to senior level and makes the same inroads he did at intermediate.