Some huge ties down for consideration 

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Gowna v Ramor United

(Friday, Kingspan Beffni, 8.15pm)

RAMOR United have warmed up for the championship with league wins over Cootehill and Crosserlough.

Brian O’Connell grabbed their goal in the latter of those and Ray Cole and Shane McAnarney’s side are looking sharp.

Goals have been the word for Gowna too after they hit the net an amazing seven times in their opening league match against Lacken.

Conor Madden was responsible for three of those while Oisin Pierson grabbed a brace. Cian Madden and TJ Fitzpatrick were also on target.

Verdict: Ramor United

Kingscourt Stars v Lacken

(Saturday, Lavey, 5pm)

HAVING conceded 7-7 to Gowna in their first league match, Lacken held Cavan Gaels to 0-12 last week – although they also lost that one too.

What was noticeable against the Gaels was that they grabbed a couple of scores from marks, and with Raymond Galligan in there that is sure to be an option on Saturday.

David Lennon and Derek Walsh are over Kingscourt this year and they have taken three points from four in the league to date.

Captain Padraig Faulkner has been in super early season form while Barry O’Reilly’s free-taking has been of the usual high standard, even in awful conditions.

Verdict: Kingscourt Stars

Killygarry v Cavan Gaels

(Saturday, Kingspan Breffni, 7.30pm)

GEAROID McKiernan will make his first-ever Senior Championship appearance having transferred from Swanlinbar in the off-season.

It leaves manager Kieran Donnelly will a raft of options with Martin Dunne showing well in recent weeks while Seanie Johnston and Mickey Lyng have also returned this year.

Killygarry won a thriller when these sides met in round one two years ago.

Danny Brady’s side have endured a difficult start to the season, but all focus would have been on the match with the Gaels so expect better on Saturday.

Verdict: Cavan Gaels

Castlerahan v Shercock

(Saturday, Edwin Carolan Community Park, 7.30pm)

AT the start of the 2018 season, Castlerahan had never lifted the Oliver Plunkett Cup. Now they are aiming for three titles in-a-row.

They have lost their metronome Cian Mackey who has transferred to Longford outfit Mullinlaghta, but they are still a formidable outfit.

Shercock have failed to find their shooting boots in their Division Two fixtures to date, and Niall Clerkin and Sean Clarke will need more help in that department.

This is a big ask for Darragh Roe’s side and a Castlerahan victory looks very likely.

Verdict: Castlerahan

Mullahoran v Laragh United

(Sunday, St Matthew’s Park, 5pm)

LARAGH United produced some sparkling football in last year’s Intermediate Championship and Jody Devine will be looking for more of the same as they return to the senior grade.

Mullahoran boss Paul Prior has told his side that he wants to see a big improvement this year, and the 1-17 they posted away to Cornafean would have pleased him. Enda O’Reilly and Cormac O’Reilly scored 13 points between them.

Both sides have won their opening Division Two game and it should be a tight encounter. Laragh to shade it.

Verdict: Laragh United

Crosserlough v Lavey

(Sunday, Kingspan Breffni, 7.30pm)

STILL no Dara McVeety but Crosserlough’s charge for a first Senior title since 1972 should be a forceful one.

League games with Castlerahan and Ramor United, two of their expected main rivals, have been the perfect build up for Jimmy Higgins’s side.

Lavey may be a Division Two side but they should not be underestimated.

Shane Tierney, Chris Conroy and Gerry Smith all looked very sharp against Drumgoon last weekend. Young players like Peter Smith and Raymond King also were on target in their league debuts.

Verdict: Crosserlough

INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Drumgoon v Killinkere

(Friday, O’Raghallaigh Park, 8.15pm)

DRUMGOON have lost heavily to Laragh United and Lavey, but they were two very difficult games.

Killinkere are playing in Division One this season so should be a strong outfit.

Manager Paddy Bates will be expecting a win here as they try and build on last year’s Junior Championship success.

Verdict: Killinkere

Drumlane v Butlersbridge

(Saturday, Rory O’Moore Park, 5pm)

THERE shouldn’t be much between Drumlane and Butlersbridge when they meet on Saturday.

Both have made good starts to their league seasons, although as a Division Two side Butlersbridge are operating at a higher level.

Their defence has started the season well, something that will be encouraging for manager George Dugdale.

Verdict: Butlersbridge

Ballymachugh v Cornafean

(Saturday, Mullahoran, 7.30pm)

RAYMOND Reilly is back for another season in charge of Ballymachugh and he will be looking for a bit more up front after low tallies in their first two league games.

Cornafean haven’t been shooting the lights out either but the likes of Barry Doyle, Jack Trainor and Adrian Caffrey should give them enough firepower to pick up the two points.

Verdict: Cornafean

Arva v Ballinagh

(Sunday, Lacken, 2pm)

BALLINAGH are amongst the favourites for this year’s Intermediate Championship and they picked up a morale-boosting win over Killygarry last week to set them up well.

Niall McDermott is back from abroad too to give them an extra edge.

Arva were champions in 2016 but, after a season at senior in 2017, they have failed to get past the IFC quarter-finals in the last two seasons.

Verdict: Ballinagh

Cuchulainn’s v Ballyhaise

(Sunday, Hugh O’Reilly Memorial Park, 2pm)

TIE of the round will see Division One Ballyhaise come up against a Cuchullain’s outfit who are many people’s favourites for the tournament.

Cuchulainn’s were very unlucky to lose the semi-final to eventual champions Laragh last year, and they will be determined to go at least one step further.

Declan Brennan is in charge of Ballyhaise and they had an excellent win over Castlerahan last week – Michael Brady and Ronan McKiernan grabbing the crucial goals.

Verdict: Ballyhaise

Killeshandra v Bailieborough

(Sunday, Athletic Grounds, 5pm)

BAILEBOROUGH are looking good early doors, and should start their championship campaign with a win.

They have hit five goals in their two league games to date and they have the attacking options to cause real problems.

Killeshandra required a relegation play-off to remain an intermediate side last year and they will need to really up it to start with a positive result.

Verdict: Bailieborough

Belturbet v Ramor United

(Sunday, Emmett Park, 5pm)

RAMOR’S second string are getting ready for their second season at Intermediate Championship level.

Last year they needed a relegation play-off win against Swanlinabr to survive, but they should be better equipped this term.

Belturbet is a tough start though. Francis McPhillips’s side reached last year’s final and should have little trouble in opening with a win.

Verdict: Belturbet