Ros' SFC draw throws up interesting ties

REIGNING county champions St Brigid's have been drawn in a potentially very competitive qualifying group ahead of the 2012 Shannonside FM Roscommon SFC. With the weekend's All-Ireland Club SFC semi-final against Garrycastle looming large, the 2012 county championship will be very far from St Brigid's thoughts at this point in time, but when the dust settles following Saturday's massive All-Ireland encounter in Longford, they will reflect on a tough-looking group for this year's local championship. The Kiltoom/Cam outfit have been drawn in Group B alongside Roscommon Gaels, Kilbride and St Faithleach's. Roscommon Gaels were in St Brigid's qualifying group last year, but were brushed aside in the opening championship fixture on a 0-10 to 0-5 scoreline. Roscommon Gaels boast a proud history, and actually hold the same number of county titles as St Brigid's (11), but their last one came back in 2004. Kilbride were county champions in 2000, and with the likes of Conor Devanney, the Lohan contingent, and Seamie O'Neill in their ranks, will probably present a tough challenge to St Brigid's, having reached the semi-finals last year before losing to Elphin. St Faithleach's one and only Roscommon SFC win was back in 1965, but they've produced some very strong teams in recent years, and Brigid's followers will vividly recall tough encounters against the Ballyleague-men in both the 2007 county final and 2010 semi-finals, both of which St Brigid's won after gruelling examinations. Faithleach's, however, failed to reach the last eight in 2011. Meanwhile, Clann na nGael - who needed to win a relegation play-off against near neighbours St Aidan's to preserve senior status last year - have been drawn in Group C with the beaten finalists from the past two years, Elphin, along with Castlerea St Kevin's and St Croan's. Castlerea St Kevin's will harbour big hopes of progressing through the group stage, and were double county champions in 2008 and 2009. However, they flattered to deceive somewhat last year, reaching only the quarter-finals before losing heavily to Western Gaels in the quarter-finals (2-14 to 0-11). St Croan's, only in senior football since 2010, will be group underdogs, having been condemned to the relegation play-off last year, along with Clann and St Aidan's. In the three-way play-off, St Croan's preserved senior status by beating St Aidan's, before Clann also maintained status with a victory over relegated St Aidan's. Padraig Pearses have also returned to senior grade following last year's intermediate final victory (after a replay) over close rivals St Dominic's. The reward for winning last year's Jimmy Murray Cup is inclusion in Group A of the senior football championship alongside Western Gaels, Kilmore and Strokestown. The latter two clubs were beaten quarter-finalists in last year's championship, while Western Gaels fell to St Brigid's in the semi-finals. Shannonside FM Senior FC Group A: Western Gaels, Padraig Pearses, Strokestown, Kilmore. Group B: St Brigid's, Roscommon Gaels, Kilbride, St Faithleach's. Group C: Elphin, St Croan's, Castlerea St Kevin's, Clann na nGael. George Bannon Sports Intermediate FC Group A St Dominic's, Clann na nGael B, St Brigid's B, St Michael's. Group B Fuerty, Éire "g, Boyle, St Barry's. Group C St Aidan's, St Ronan's, Tulsk Lord Edwards, Kilglass Gaels. Kepak Senior HC Group A: Four Roads, Padraig Pearses, Roscommon Gaels, Athleague. Group B: Oran, St. Dominic's, Tremane.