Local teams seek semi final places

ST BRIGID'S still don't know whether or not talismanic forward Frankie Dolan will be available to feature in this Saturday's Roscommon SFC quarter-final encounter with St Aidan's (Dr Hyde Park, 5pm). Dolan received a twelve week suspension for an alleged altercation with a match official following St Brigid's defeat to Roscommon Gaels in their opening championship fixture at the end of June. The Kiltoom club have appealed against the suspension and manager Eoin O'Donnellan is hopeful they will receive word on the matter from the authorities before the weekend. "There has been no update on Frankie's situation to date. It's well documented the club appealed against the suspension and we have to wait for the powers-that-be to make a final decision on the matter. We hope to have news, either way, by the weekend," said O'Donnellan. St Brigid's, of course, suffered a surprise defeat in their opening group match to Roscommon Gaels and only a single point victory over Western Gaels last Saturday week saw them through to the knockout stages. Ballyforan outfit St Aidan's lie in wait after themselves topping Group B after beating Kilmore and drawing with Clann na nGael. St Aidan's manager Paddy Naughton watched his team beat Tubber in a friendly last weekend but is wary of St Brigid's - despite the Kiltoom men missing Karol Mannion and John Tiernan, the latter of whom just returned from Australia this week and will probably only feature in the panel this weekend. Naughton said: "St Brigid's are very strong no matter who they have on the field. They have a terrific structure and will always have a strong panel. By all accounts they did very well to come through the game against Western Gaels. We have been going okay ourselves and our group form was impressive enough." St Aidan's have injury concerns over Niall Corbett and Noel Galvin ahead of Saturday's fixture. O'Donnellan said: "St Aidan's beat us in the Connacht League but we managed to just about see them off in the Roscommon League. They are a formidable outfit with a good mixture of youth and experience. The likes of Francie Grehan can be inspirational to them. It should be a good game on Saturday and hopefully we can come out on top." Clann na nGael v Western Gaels Meanwhile, Clann na nGael's search for a first county title since 1996 continues when they meet Western Gaels, also on Saturday at Dr Hyde Park (6.30pm). Clann managed a one-point win over Kilmore and a draw against St Aidan's in the group phase but have to cope without Johnny Dunning, Gary Shine and Graham Pettit. Manager Enon Gavin said: "Those lads are three big losses but hopefully others can fill the void. Western Gaels are tough opposition and have developed a lot in the last year. Players such as Sean McDermott and Kevin Higgins can make the difference. But we're doing alright ourselves although we've probably played in patches so far. We hope for a very big performance on Saturday." Padraig Pearses v Castlerea St Kevin's On Sunday at Kiltoom, Padraig Pearses and Castlerea St Kevin's open up a double header at 5.30pm, in what is a re-run of last year's county final - eventually won by Castlerea after a replay. Pearses manager Jack Murray thinks it will be a tight contest. "More than likely it will be tight on Sunday and I'd say the weather conditions could play a big part. It comes down to who wants it most on the day. We were possibly a little bit lucky to get out of the group, but hopefully we can take advantage now and keep progressing," Murray said. Murray, however, would not be drawn on the significance or otherwise of last year's finalists meeting at this stage. Pearses were under different management at time with Eamonn Mahon at the helm. Instead, Murray is focusing on Sunday. "This is a very different game and a different occasion entirely. We look forward to the test and hopefully we can do the business, but we all know how good Castlerea can be," he said. Cathal Dolphin, Niall Finneran and Pat O'Connell are all rated as "touch and go" for Padraig Pearses, but Murray hopes to see all three players fit and raring to go come Sunday. Pearses scraped out of their qualifying group on points difference ahead of Strokestown, who they defeated by eight points back in June. An understrength Pearses then lost their second group game to St Faithleach's but their scoring difference was six better off than Strokestown's. Castlerea topped their three-team group by beating Elphin and drawing with Kilbride, and will be looking to retain their title after last year's success. Sunday's other semi-final at Kiltoom sees Seamus Qualter's St Faithleach's side take on Kilbride (7pm).