Sole junior clubs facing a battle to oust senior sides
Sole junior clubs are facing a serious battle to wrestle back control of the Junior Football Championship from the more established senior outfits, whose second string sides are all leading the way in the top section.
The Downs, St Loman's, Mullingar and Mullingar Shamrocks are certainly among the leading contenders, but there are strong, traditional junior clubs who will push them hard. St Joseph's and Kilbeggan Shamrocks are both plying their trade in the lower section and these two neighbouring clubs will fancy giving the junior championship and real rattle.
Former Kilbeggan player Niall O'Brien returns to take charge of the his native club, while the saints are riding high after a winning league titles in the last couple of seasons.
Aidan Stone, Niall Carey and James Finnegan will be among the Kilbeggan players to watch, while the likes of Jordan McDonnell and Mikey Lynam will lead the St Joseph's challenge.
Bunbrosna will also be determined to make a strong bid now that Garvan Dolan has returned to the fold.
Clarke's Bar Junior 1 Football Championship - Section A
Round 1
Garrycastle vs St Loman's Mullingar
Athlone vs The Downs
Killucan vs Mullingar Shamrocks
Round 2
St Loman's Mullingar vs Athlone
The Downs vs Killucan
Mullingar Shamrocks vs Garrycastle
Round 3
Garrycastle vs Athlone
Mullingar Shamrocks vs The Downs
Killucan vs St Loman's Mullingar
Round 4
Athlone vs Killucan
St Loman's Mullingar vs Mullingar Shamrocks
The Downs vs Garrycastle
Round 5
The Downs vs St Loman's Mullingar
Mullingar Shamrocks vs Athlone
Killucan vs Garrycastle
Section B
Round 1
Moate All Whites vs Bunbrosna
St Joseph's vs Ballycomoyle
Kilbeggan Shamrocks vs St Paul's
Round 2
Bunbrosna vs St Joseph's
Ballycomoyle vs Kilbeggan Shamrocks
St Paul's vs Moate All Whites
Round 3
Moate All Whites vs St Joseph's
St Paul's vs Ballycomoyle
Kilbeggan Shamrocks vs Bunbrosna
Round 4
St Joseph's vs Kilbeggan Shamrocks
Bunbrosna vs St Paul's
Ballycomoyle vs Moate All Whites
Round 5
Ballycomoyle vs Bunbrosna
St Paul's vs St Joseph's
Kilbeggan Shamrocks vs Moate All Whites