This weekend, the Michael Lyng Motors Senior Football Championship heats up with two thrilling quarter-final clashes that promise to deliver high-stakes action.
On Saturday, Éire Óg will face off against Mount Leinster Rangers at 7:15 p.m. Then, on Sunday, Rathvilly will go head-to-head with Bagenalstown Gaels at 4:30 p.m. , with Rathvilly, coming off a hard-fought 1-10 draw with Éire Óg in the final round of the group stage.
Rathvilly football manager Kevin Byrne expressed his satisfaction with his team’s progression, emphasizing that they have nothing to fear as they head into the knockout stages. Reflecting on the intense battle against Éire Óg, Byrne noted the determination of both sides to avoid defeat, even with a quarter-final berth already secured.
“Rathvilly and Éire Óg—no one wanted to lose that game,” Byrne said. “Both of us are into a quarter-final. Probably doesn’t matter who you play on the far side, you have to beat them all. We knew when the group was made—getting Éire Óg, Palatine, and Clonmore—we knew where we were going to be. You play bad, you’re in a relegation zone. We’re just happy to get to a quarter-final.”
Byrne acknowledged the strength of their group, which featured what he described as two of the best teams in the county, Éire Óg and Palatine. Emerging from such a competitive group has bolstered Rathvilly’s belief that they can challenge anyone in the knockout stages.
“We had possibly two of the best teams in the county in Éire Óg and Palatine in the group, and we’ve got through. We don’t fear anyone. We’ll treat everyone the same, and I think teams are looking and they want to avoid Rathvilly. But as I said, it’s wide open.”