Loughgiel expected to beat Rossa easily

Loughgiel’s Liam Watson

LOUGHGIEL begin the defence of their Antrim, Ulster and All-Ireland Championship titles this weekend (Sunday, Casement Park, 4pm) when they meet Rossa.

The preliminary clash takes place at Casement Park, and Loughgiel are sure to be favourites, and not only because they are defending champions.

The Shamrocks have been in good form all season during the league, and that’s despite the fact that many of their players have been on county duty with Antrim.

They haven’t went unbeaten though, as they have lost one game this year, a defeat to Dunloy three weeks ago, 2-8 to 1-9.

They dropped just one other point in the league, that was against Portaferry in mid April when the two sides drew.

Loughgiel’s main challenger for this year’s championship is likely to be Cushendall, who have won all ten of their league matches so far this season.

But can Rossa surprise Loughgiel this weekend? Rossa last won the county Championship in 2004, that was back in the middle of Loughgiel’s dark period, when they lost six county finals in a row.

The full story is in the current issue of Gaelic Life, published on Thursday August 2. Buy your copy now in your local newsagent, or you can purchase the online version – for only 90p – by clicking here