So for the umpteenth time already this year, the sporting calendar finds itself at the mercy of the weather gods.

This extends to a large question-mark hovering over the status of this weekend’s scheduled opening-round games in the Wexford football championships as a deluge of rain is forecast for the region.

Some games originally pencilled in for this evening (Friday) have had to be moved, and all interested parties are strongly advised to follow all social media platforms to discover if everything else goes ahead as planned.

In the hope that the rain doesn’t actually wash out the opening weekend of this year’s domestic championship, there is lots to look forward to in an attractive package of activity, including the Tom Doyle Supplies county senior football championship, which Wexford Today passes the rule over here:

GROUP A

CASTLETOWN v ST. ANNE’S: The Rathangan-men have lacked their old potency in the past couple of years whereas Castletown have maintained a vibrancy, being regulars in the semi-finals. The north county side have accounted for the Anne’s in the last two championships – and Castletown are backed to extend that run.

SARSFIELDS v KILANERIN: This marks the return of Kilanerin to senior ranks after a three-year absence. They have restocked during the interim by adding the Tara Rocks contingent to their options, and last year they built upon county intermediate success by adding Leinster Club honours. Sarsfields have rather sensibly concentrated upon investing in youth in the last couple of years and they will have a chance in what is expected to be a tight affair. The nod is with Kilanerin.

FETHARD v ST. MARTIN’S: The sides drew in the group-stages last year after St. Martin’s took the 2016 second-round meeting by 0-10 to 1-3. Fethard will surely gain confidence from having contested the All-Ireland Club Junior hurling final – and they have all the pieces required to pack a real punch in football too. But the wiser money is on last year’s beaten finalists St. Martin’s to make a winning start.

GROUP B

SHELMALIERS v ST. JAMES’: 2015 champions the ‘Jimmies’ enter this campaign without the talismanic Kevin O’Grady, who is set to kick his football with New York this summer, while Jamie Myler has transferred to Horeswood, and Graeme Molloy is a doubt owing to injury. They still have lots to recommend. But Shelmaliers have much of their reliable personnel available and are expected to give new boss Benny McCabe a winning start.

GUSSERANE v STARLIGHTS: Starlights are looking forward to their first defence of the senior football silverware since 2005 but are likely to be subjected to a stiff examination by their predecessors as champions, Gusserane, who were actually guided to the 2014 final by current Starlights’ boss Joe O’Hagan. The sides drew when they last met in championship – in round-four in 2015 – and it should be another close-run thing. Starlights gain a hesitant verdict.

GLYNN-BARNTOWN v TAGHMON-CAMROSS: 2016 intermediate champions Taghmon acclimatised impressively to the top-tier after an absence of five years by making the quarter-finals last year. Glynn-Barntown also departed in the ‘quarters’ in 2017 after being so close to capturing outright glory a year earlier. Leigh O’Brien is now part of the Glynn management team along with boss Toirleach Leacy and the vibes from their camp are positive. When last these close rivals met in championship, Glynn won an intermediate tie in 2015 (1-9 to 0-8) – and they’re tipped to prevail again.

As I write, the scheduled games in the senior football championship are as follows –

SATURDAY

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FERNS – Shelmaliers v St. James’ 4.30p.m; Gusserane v Starlights now 6.15p.m.

INNOVATE WEXFORD PARK – Castletown v St. Anne’s 4.30p.m; Sarsfields v Kilanerin 6p.m.

SUNDAY NOT CHANGES AS BELOW

CUSHINSTOWN – Fethard v St. Martin’s 2p.m;

 

ST. PATRICK’S PARK – Glynn-Barntown v Taghmon-Camross 4p.m; preceded at 2.30p.m., by Kilanerin and Clongeen in IAFC.

But please ensure to keep an eye on those rain-filled clouds and social-media for updates.