DONEGAL INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINALS
DUNLGLOE V NAOMH MUIRE
Saturday, O’Donnell Park, 5pm
Oisin Bonner put an injury-laden season behind with a tally of 2-2 as Dungloe came through the recent dress rehearsal of the teams to top the group. Dungloe lost last year’s decider after a replay to Cloughaneely should come through against the men from the Rosses.
Verdict: Dungloe
DOWNINGS V FANAD
Sunday, Dunfanaghy, 1.30pm
It has already been a summer to remember for a Johnny McGroddy inspired Downings who clinched promotion to the Division One after going to the Ulster junior final last season. This is the tie of the round, with neighbours Fanad well placed after winning two games. An interesting one awaits.
Verdict: Downings
BUNCRANA V NAOMH COLUMBA
Sunday, O’Donnell Park, 2pm
Both clubs took six from the eight points on offer in the group stages. Goals from Eric Carr and Pauric Ward helped Naomh Columba to victory (2-16 to 1-13) when the sides met in the group stages. It’s hard to see off a team twice in succession and Buncrana proved against Downings they are in the title race.
Verdict: Buncrana
TERMON V KILLYGORDON
Sunday, O’Donnell Park, 4pm
Termon maintained their unbeaten run with 0-6 from Ryan McFadden in their win over Malin to finish second in the group. Ten years after their last title, they have a sprinkling of their recent minor winning team and will be fancied to see off a Red Hughs team who were Ulster Junior champions four years ago.
Verdict: Termon
DOWN
DOWN SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND TWO
LOUGHINISLAND V WARRENPOINT
Friday, Kilcoo, 7.30pm
Warrenpoint eased past Saul in the first round, team captain Donagh McAleenan excelling, but they’ll face a much stiffer challenge here. Loughinisland should be battle hardened after their tussle with Castlewellan. The Blues weren’t at their best, but they should push the ‘Point here.
Verdict: Warrenpoint
GLENN V CARRYDUFF
Saturday, Downpatrick, 2pm
With young Patrick Brooks excellent, Glenn powered past Bredagh for a notable win in round one. Likewise, Finnian Moriarty’s Carryduff put some patchy league form behind them to ease past Bryansford. This could be a great game, even if James Guinness is out for Carryduff.
Verdict: Carryduff
BURREN V DOWNPATRICK
Sunday, Newcastle, 5pm
Burren will welcome Donal O’Hare back from suspension, and they’ll be glad of that with their attack looking a bit ponderous in the extra-time win over Mayobridge. Downpatrick always bring pace and power, but victory should be beyond them.
Verdict: Burren
Kilcoo v Ballyholland
Monday, Páirc Esler, 7.30pm
Games between these two sides can be spicy enough affairs, and Ballyholland will bring some physicality. Despite their league final loss to Burren, Kilcoo showed they’re still the team to beat as they took apart Clonduff in the first round.
Verdict: Kilcoo
DOWN SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS ROUND ONE
LONGSTONE V MAYOBRIDGE
Thursday, Páirc Esler, 7.30pm
Steven Poacher’s Mayobridge should have beaten Burren in the first round, but lost after extra-time. Shane Annett should be fit for more action this time. Longstone were edged out by Ballyholland, and another narrow defeat may arrive here.
Verdict: Mayobridge
SAUL V AN RIOCHT
Thursday, Ballymartin, 7.30pm
Both sides would have been relatively pleased with the draw as it’s a game they will each fancy they can win. Both sides one a league meeting each – away fixtures, incidentally – but the Kingdom can earn a second win.
Verdict: An Riocht
BRYANSFORD V CLONDUFF
Friday, Páirc Esler, 7.30pm
Clonduff really didn’t show up against neighbours Kilcoo, managing just four points. A big reaction will be expected against a Bryansford side well beaten by Carryduff.
Verdict: Clonduff
BREDAGH V CASTLEWELLAN
Sunday, Mayobridge, 3pm
These are busy times for Bredagh’s dual players with their hurlers earning a fantastic win over Ballygalget to reach the semi-finals. The footballers face a tough task against an inconsistent Castlewellan side that battled well against Loughinisland last time out.
Verdict: Castlewellan
DOWN INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND TWO
CLANN NA BANNA V ROSTREVOR
Thursday, Liatroim, 7.30pm
Rostrevor manager Benny Coulter was named as the new Down minor boss on Monday night, but attention quickly turned to the challenge of the Cottage Park men. Liatroim gave them a real game, and that should set them up nicely here.
Verdict: Rostrevor
Drumgath v Atticall
Saturday, Rostrevor, 2pm
Division Three champions Drumgath always seem to raise their game for the championship and they should be too strong for an Atticall side that were eight-point winners over Aughlisnafin in the first round.
Verdict: Drumgath
TULLYLISH V SAVAL
Sunday, Glenn, 1pm
Tullylish had an eye-catching 1-10 to 0-10 win over Darragh Cross in round one, but they face a Saval side enjoying a good season. Danny Hughes’ men came close to Division Two promotion, and they can go deep in this competition.
Verdict: Saval
BALLYMARTIN V ST JOHN’S
Monday, Dundrum, 7pm
St John’s went goal crazy against Newry Shamrocks, notching six in all, and their confidence will be sky-high. Ballymartin also eased past Newry opposition, as they took care of St John, Bosco. This could go all the way.
Verdict: St John’s
DOWN INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND ONE QUALIFIERS
Bright v Newry Shamrocks
Saturday, Clonduff, 2pm
Shamrocks had a horrendous start against St John’s as they let in a series of goals, and they were always chasing from there. They should get back on track against a Bright side that really gave Drumgath a good game.
Verdict: Newry Shamrocks
DARRAGH CROSS V LIATROIM
Saturday, Castlewellan, 5pm
It really has been a tough season for a Darragh Cross outfit expected to go well. Liatroim may be in the backdoor, but they were impressive against Rostrevor and they can keep their season alive here.
Verdict: Liatroim
ST PAUL’S V AUGHLISANFIN
Sunday, Darragh Cross, 2pm
One point separated these sides when the league season drew to a close, so we can expect a tight battle. St Paul’s may be low on confidence after their mauling at the hands of Saval.
Verdict: Aughlisnafin
ST JOHN, BOSCO V ANNACLONE
Monday, Burren, 7pm
Annaclone should prove far too strong here for Bosco. They may have been disappointed after their loss to Clann na Banna, but they should be comfortable here to get back on track.
Verdict: Annaclone
DOWN JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS
KILCLIEF V MITCHEL’S
Friday, Dundrum, 7.15pm
Kilclief can make the most of the last-chance saloon. They may have lost heavily to Dromara but they can bounce back with a victory here.
Verdict: Kilclief
GLASDRUMMAN V ST MICHAEL’S
Friday, Mayobridge, 7.15pm
Both sides lost heavily last week, Glasdrumman going down by 13 points to East Belfast and the Magheraline men losing to Ardglass by seven points. It should be tight, and St Michael’s can edge it.
Verdict: St Michael’s
DOWN INTERMEDIATE HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
LIATROIM V CARRYDUFF
Saturday, Páirc Esler, 5.30pm
Both management teams will probably have to allow for football commitments to take precedence. Liatroim may have the strength in depth to win.
Verdict: Liatroim
FERMANAGH
FERMANAGH SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP A
BELNALECK V ERNE GAELS
Sunday, Páirc na hÉirne, 1pm
Three goals from Ultan Kelm shot last year’s intermediate champions Erne Gaels to a 5-11 to 1-11 away win when the sides met in the league, but Colm Bradley’s side won from their three games. The Gaels have since won the league, but the return of Lee and Che Cullen will give Belnaleck the tools to help a title charge.
Verdict: Belnaleck
DERRYGONNELLY V TEEMORE
Sunday, Canon Maguire Park, 6pm
The Harps welcome Teemore this weekend. The Shamrocks led the roll of honour with 21 titles, but their last was in 2005, with Derrygonnelly taking the New Ireland Cup home eight times since then. Gary McKenna is a loss, they should start with a win.
Verdict: Derrygonnelly
FERMANAGH SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP B
ENNISKILLEN V EDERNEY
Friday, Brewster Park, 8pm
Friday’s live streamed clash sees an Ederney side with Maxi Curran in their backroom team coming to Brewster Park. The Gaels have Simon Bradley in charge this season, stepping up to fill John Reihill’s shoes. There is plenty of football before the Gaels get the chance to go one better than last year, but should start with a win.
Verdict: Enniskillen
KINAWLEY V ROSLEA
Saturday, Patrick McManus Park, 6pm
Dominic Corrigan is back at the help of his native Kinawley and they reached the league final only to come up short against Erne Gaels. Roslea’s only win in the league was a convincing victory over St Patrick’s, Donagh, but they finished by drawing with Derrygonnelly.
Verdict: Kinawley
FERMANAGH INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP A
BELCOO V MAGUIRESBRIDGE
Sunday, MacNean Park, 3pm
A Dean McDermott goal helped Belcoo to a 1-12 to 0-9 opening day win when the sides locked horns in the league. The 2017 champions finished fourth in the table with Maguiresbridge’s win over Newtownbutler in the last game one of three victories. Belcoo to start with a win.
Verdict: Belcoo
DEVENISH V DERRYLIN
Sunday, St Mary’s Park, 3.30pm
Devinish were relegated from Division One, on score difference, for the first time in 41 years. Jake Smith’s injury time goal was enough to see fellow strugglers Derrylin home (3-10 to 2-10) when the sides met in the league, a score that proved vital. A tough game to call.
Verdict: Draw
FERMANAGH INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP B
TEMPO V IRVINESTOWN
Saturday, St Patrick’s Park, 3pm
It’s been an excellent Division Two campaign for Irvinestown who won all nine games to finish top of the pile. They needed Sean Clear’s goal to help them to 1-9 to 1-8 win over this weekend’s championship opponents Tempo in their second game. It’s hard to look past Irvinestown for a winning start,
Verdict: Irvinestown
LISNASKEA V DONAGH
Saturday, Emmet Park, 6pm
Last year’s junior champions St Patrick’s, Donagh escaped relegation from Division One on score different come into the championship searching for form. The last time ‘Skea won the title, they went all the way to land the 2010 All-Ireland. A tight game, with home advantage a factor.
Verdict: Lisnaskea
FERMANAGH JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINALS
AGHADRUMASEE V BROOKBOROUGH
Saturday, Roslea, 6pm
Brookeborough lost all their games in the league and from the moment Tommy O’Hara hit the net in a 4-9 to 0-7 defeat to Aghadrumsee, they were well beaten with Dale Crudden (2) and Aidan Durnien also finding net.
Verdict: Aghadrumsee
NEWTOWNBUTLER V COA
Saturday, Maguiresbridge, 6pm
It’s 25 years since Newtownbutler won the senior title, but they are battling to get out of the junior grade. They finished middle of the pack in Division Two and 1-6 to 0-7 winners early in the campaign with a sixth minute Ger O’Keefe goal the key. Aghadrumsee didn’t set the world alight in the league either, but should come through.
Verdict: Newtownbutler
MONAGHAN
MONAGHAN SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP ONE
SCOTSTOWN V CLONTIBRET
Sunday, Pairc Mhuire, 5pm
Both are already through to the next round but still these two would like to finish the group stages with a win. The victor will go straight through to the semi-finals. Scotstown are the team to beat in Monaghan and could be just too strong for Clontibret.
Verdict: Scotstown
DONAGHMOYNE V AUGHNAMULLEN
Sunday, Donaghmoyne, 5pm
Aughnamullen are bottom of the group have lost three from three and won’t be able to cause an upset here. Donaghmoyne have been moving along nicely and are likely to secure their second win of the campaign and, barring a draw in the other game, should earn them a knock-out spot.
Verdict: Donaghmoyne
MONAGHAN SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP TWO
INNISKEEN V CARRICKMACROSS
Sunday, Inniskeen, 5pm
Carrickmacross simply have to win this one if they are to remain in the competition as they currently sit at the bottom of group two on score difference. That motivation could be enough to see them cause a shock
Verdict: Carrickmacross
LATTON V TRUAGH
Sunday, Latton, 5pm
Latton are in the same must-win boat as Carrickmacross, but Truagh will be out to continue their unbeaten record in the championship with the target of getting back to the same stage as last season. Score difference could come into play.
Verdict: Truagh
MONAGHAN INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP ONE
CORDUFF V EMYVALE
Sunday, Corduff, 2pm
Both sides have only lost once so far in the championship, and this could be a really close game. Corduff will have the advantage of playing on home soil which may just be enough to earn them victory.
Verdict: Corduff
CREMARTIN V DOOHAMLET
Sunday, Cremartin, 2pm
It’s winner takes all in this one as both need the victory to secure their passage into the next round. Cremartin have failed to pick up a single point so far and that form is unlikely to change this weekend.
Verdict: Doohamlet
MONAGHAN INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP TWO
TOOME V BLACKHILL
Sunday, Toome, 2pm
Toome have been in terrific form of late, defeating everyone that has crossed their path so far during the group stages. They should continue their winning streak this weekend with a fourth victory on the trot.
Verdict: Toome
TYHOLLAND V MONAGHAN HARPS
Sunday, Tyholland, 2pm
Tyholland will be desperate to pick up their first victory of the campaign and with home advantage they may just be able to cause an upset against Monaghan Harps and get the job done.
Verdict: Tyholland
MONAGHAN JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP ONE
CLONES V KILLANNY
Saturday, Clones, 5.30pm
The winner of this one will head into the next rounds of the championship having topped group one with four wins from four. Clones may just have enough to sneak through a really tight tussle.
Verdict: Clones
CURRIN V DRUMHOWAN
Saturday, Currin, 5.30pm
This game will be another incredibly tight match up with both teams fairly confident that they can get the job done. If Drumhowan bring their shooting boots, then they could be the team tasting victory this weekend.
Verdict: Drumhowan
MONAGHAN JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP TWO
ROCKCORRY V EIRE OG
Saturday, Pairc Mhuire, 5.30pm
Rockcorry are coming off the back of two good wins against Scotstown and Aghabog while Eire Og are heading into the game have lost their last two outings. Form points to a home win in this one.
Verdict: Rockcorry
AGHABOG EMMET V SCOTSTOWN
Saturday, Aghabog, 5.30pm
Aghabog have yet to pick up a single point in the group stages of the championship and their unlikely to turn that form around this weekend. Scotstown look too strong and should see out the victory.
Verdict: Scotstown
TYRONE
TYRONE JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP PRELIMINARY ROUND
Stewartstown v Donaghmore
Sunday, Rock, 2pm
Stewartstown claimed the Division Three title this week, and they should ease through to the first round proper of the Junior Championship.
Verdict: Stewartstown
Errigal Ciaran v Brockagh
Sunday, Rock, 4pm
There shouldn’t be too much between these sides when all is said and done. Errigal have been scoring a bit more freely this year, and that could be crucial.
Verdict: Errigal Ciaran
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