THIS weekend’s club games across Ulster.

ANTRIM SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

Cushendall v St John’s

Saturday, Dunloy, 4pm

THE Johnnies under Michael Johnston have been totting up some impressive tallies on the way to the last four with a wide range of scorers. The ‘Dall have made the semi-finals after topping the group on the back of winning the league. The champions will be fancied to prevail.

Verdict: Cushendall

Dunloy v Loughgiel

Sunday, Cushendall, 2pm

THIS one will attract huge interest with the clash of two of the big guns. Loughgiel were beaten in last year’s final with Gregory O’Kane’s side back knocking on the door. A tight one to call here. It really is. Perhaps Dunloy’s balance in attack could be the deciding factor.

Verdict: Dunloy

ANTRIM INTERMEDIATE HURLING
CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

Cloney Gaels v Carey

Saturday, Glenravel, 1pm

THE intermediate race has been a tight one. Four of the teams in Coney’s group were level on points going into the last round of group games. The sides drew 0-20 each when they locked horns in the league. How do you call this one?

Verdict: Cloney Gaels

Glenariffe v Tír na nÓg

Sunday, Ballymena, 1pm

ANOTHER one that is going the distance between two of the form teams in the title race. Glenariffe were winners in the league game between the sides. Tír na nÓg finished top of the group. They might just edge this one.

Verdict: Tír na nÓg

ANTRIM JUNIOR HURLING FINAL

Rasharkin v Armoy

Saturday, Loughgiel, 1pm

WITH two wins in the group stages, Rasharkin backed it up with a fine win over Gort na Mona in the semi-final. Armoy hit four goals to reach the decider. Rasharkin have lost finals in recent years. It could be their time.

Verdict: Rasharkin

ARMAGH SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

CLAN NA GAEL V MADDEN

Saturday, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 5.30pm

THIS is an absolutely massive opportunity to get to the final for both sides and it promises to be an intriguing matchup. Clans are playing with a lot of confidence and if they can keep Conor Grimley quiet, then they should go all the way.

Verdict: Clan na Gael

CLANN EIREANN V CROSSMAGLEN

Sunday, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 5.00pm

A repeat of the 2021 championship final when Clann Eireann saw off Crossmaglen thanks to two late goals. Clann Eireann are arguably better now, while Cross aren’t as good, but the Rangers still hold that bit of invincibility about them, so they might just sneak it.

Verdict: Crossmaglen

ARMAGH INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL
CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

CARRICKCRUPPEN V WOLFE TONES

Saturday, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 3.30pm

CARRICKCRUPPEN are probably the favourites for the crown at the minute and this is going to be a clash of styles. Wolfe Tones will try to turn this into a dogfight and if they do that successfully they could cause and upset, but Cruppen look to have too much quality.

Verdict: Carrickcruppen

CLANN EIREANN II V ST PAUL’S

Sunday, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 3.00pm

CLANN EIREANN II caused the upset of the championship when they knocked out the Division 2A league winners Pearse Og. St Paul’s have been well warned not to take their eyes off the prize and they should be a step ahead of last year’s Junior champions.

Verdict: St Paul’s

ARMAGH JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

AN PORT MOR V MIDDLETOWN

Sunday, Armagh Harps, 1.00pm

IT’S a huge opportunity for one of these teams to end their long wait for a final appearance and both will be keen to get over the line. Both teams are made up with a nice blend of youth and experience and it’ll all come down to who performs better on the day.

Verdict: Middletown

ARMAGH SENIOR CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

GRANEMORE V BALLYMACNAB

Friday, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 7.00pm

ALL-IRELAND Junior champions Granemore are going for three in a row in Armagh and they have held the upper hand in their rivalry with Ballymacnab over the past few years. That doesn’t look like it’s about to change in 2024

Verdict: Granemore

CAVAN SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

CROSSERLOUGH V CAVAN GAELS

Saturday, Kingspan Breffni, 7.15pm

WILL Crosserlough be stopped in their ranks on Saturday night? They’ve been in unforgiving mood throughout the championship, racking up big tallies even without the injured Paddy Lynch, so they’re warm enough favourites to account for Cavan Gaels. The Gaels needed a late goal to see off Mullahoran and they’ll need to produce something really special to win this one.

Verdict: Crosserlough

GOWNA V RAMOR

Sunday, Kingspan Breffni, 3pm

GOWNA seem to have perfected the art of timing their championship runs and there was no disputing their supremacy as they got the better of Ballyhaise in the last eight, the very same team they lost to in the group stages. It was still by no means the perfect performance and Ramor will quietly fancy their chances, especially as they’ve an extremely impressive record against Gowna in the last decade. They won the Division One final against Gowna earlier in the year so don’t rule out a Ramor victory.

Verdict: Gowna

CAVAN INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP
SEMI-FINALS

CUCHULAINN’S V ARVA

Sunday, Kingspan Breffni. 5pm

IT was extremely difficult to call last last weekend’s meeting of Arva and Cuchulainn’s so with that in mind it was no great surprise that the game ended up a draw. And here’s a stat – it was the first time in 19 championship games that Arva didn’t end up on the winning side of the argument, but their unbeaten run remains intact, at least for now! Again, it’s almost impossible to call, but we’ll opt for an Arva team that led by four points heading into the final quarter before Cuchulainn’s came back into contention with a goal.

Verdict: Arva

DERRY SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINALS

Glen v Lavey

Sunday, Owenbeg, 5.15pm

THE All-Ireland champions fully put their title on the line this weekend in a tricky game with a Lavey team who have steadily grown since losing their first two games. Glen have started to get close to their All-Ireland winning team. Lavey will need to plan for Ethan Doherty’s new role closer to goal. A game that will attract huge interest.

Verdict: Glen

Newbridge v Bellaghy

Sunday, Owenbeg, 7pm

BELLAGHY were backed into a corner in their final group game against Swatragh needing a win to stay in the championship. Newbridge topped their group with a game to spare and have been an up-and-coming team in recent seasons. There is always a derby feel to this one. An interesting game awaits.

Verdict: Newbridge

Sleacht Néill v Ballinascreen

Sunday, Owenbeg, 4.45pm

MARK Doran steers the Emmet’s into his second championship season and they’ve been a rejuvenated side with some young guns freshening up their back. It’s a tough draw for a Ballinascreen side who nicked their quarter-final spot on score difference.

Verdict: Sleacht Néill

Dungiven v Magherafelt

Sunday, Owenbeg, 6.30pm

CONOR McCluskey has yet to pay after an operation with a doubt over goalkeeper Odhrán Lynch too. That’s a lot of experience gone ahead of a game against Dungiven who asked Glen plenty of questions in the group stages. A tricky game for Magherafelt. They’ll need to dig deep here.

Verdict: Magherafelt

DERRY INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL
CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINALS

Castledawson v Faughanvale

Friday, Owenbeg, 7.30pm

THE first of the weekend’s games in a tight intermediate race see Castledawson lock horns with Faughanvale. The ‘Dawson were very close to toppling Ballinderry in the group stages but will need their best performance of the season. A toss of a coin here.

Verdict: Castledawson

Banagher v Coleraine

Saturday, Celtic Park, 2.45pm

THIS has the makings of the tie of the round. Coleraine are picking up some form whereas Banagher have been comfortable in their style of play in recent weeks. This one might well need extra-time. A tough call.

Verdict: Coleraine

Foreglen v Drumsurn

Saturday, Celtic Park, 4.30pm

FOREGLEN have been one of the toughest nuts to crack at this level and have brought some young blood into their side in recent seasons. Drumsurn haven’t reached the heights of two seasons ago but will ask the O’Brien’s plenty of questions.

Verdict: Foreglen

Glenullin v Ballinderry

Sunday, Owenbeg, 12noon

BALLINDERRY have won all their games to date and come in against the holders who have lost their last two games. Now it gets real. Glenullin won’t have the injured Ryan McNicholl and will need a big championship performance here. The Shamrocks could make the step into the last four.

Verdict: Ballinderry

DERRY JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

Craigbane v Ballerin

Friday, Celtic Park,7.30pm

CRAIGBANE were winners against Ballerin in the final two years ago with Lee Moore in fine form. Ballerin finished well to beat Slaughtmanus and got the better of Lissan in the promotion play-off. Craigbane might have the edge.

Verdict: Craigbane

Lissan v Ballymaguigan

Sunday, Owenbeg, 1.45pm

BALLYMAGUIGAN shot the lights out all the way through the group stages but needed a goal from Pearse O’Neill to get through their quarter-final. Lissan have scored freely but this one could come down to how they deal with the ‘Quigan attack.

Verdict: Ballymaguigan

DONEGAL INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL FINAL

Termon v Naomh Columba

Sunday, O’Donnell Park, 3.30pm

BEFORE a ball was kicked, Termon were tipped to take the title and they’ve lived up to half that bargain so far. Naomh Columba have beaten both Malin and Bundoran to reach the final bend in the road. Naomh Columba reached the final two years ago and went home without the silver.

VERDICT: Termon

DONEGAL JUNIOR FOOTBALL FINAL

Carndonagh v Muff

Saturday, O’Donnell Park, 4pm

AN all-Inishmore final is on the cards this weekend. Carndonagh saw off Convoy with Muff beating Naomh Ultan in the semi-finals. Muff plied their trade in a higher league and have pulled their championship form together. Conor O’Donnell’s scoring ability might sway this one,

VERDICT: Carndonagh

DOWN SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

BALLYGALGET V LIATROIM

Sunday, Ballygalget, 2.00pm

BALLYGALGET remain the only unbeaten team in the competition and performed heroically throughout the group stages. They defeated Liatroim by nine when the sides met previously and will hope for a repeat result.

Verdict: Ballygalget

PORTAFERRY V BALLYCRAN

Sunday, Portaferry, 4.30pm

PORTAFERRY have seen off Ballycran in the last two county finals and also beat them during the group stages of the championship. Despite losing to Ballygalget, Portaferry are still the champs and will be eager to get that one back in the decider.

Verdict: Portaferry

DOWN INTERMEDIATE HURLING
CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

NEWRY SHAMROCKS V CARRYDUFFY

Saturday, Páirc Esler, 5.00pm

NEWRY Shamrocks were in flying form throughout the group stages and picked up three victories from three outings. Carryduff will certainly be a step up in class and they’ll be eager to reach their fourth county final on the trot.

Verdict: Carryduff

WARRENPOINT V BREDAGH

Sunday, Páirc Liam Uí Ír, 4.30pm

LAST year’s Intermediate champions Bredagh finished bottom of the group in senior with just one win from their five games. They will be the favourites when they lock horns with Warrenpoint however and will be keen to retain their county title.

Verdict: Bredagh

DOWN JUNIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND THREE

EAST BELFAST V BELLELA

Saturday, Castlewellan, 3.00pm

BELLELA have made a flying start to the campaign with back-to-back victories over Ballyvarley and Castlewellan. East Belfast will enjoy home advantage on Saturday afternoon, but that may not be enough to earn the win.

Verdict: Bellela

BALLYVARLEY V CASTLEWELLAN

Saturday, Liatroim, 3.00pm

AFTER two rounds of championship action, Ballyvarley have yet to pick up a single point, losing to both Ballela and East Belfast. Castlewellan have one win chalked up so far and will be confident of landing another this weekend.

Verdict: Castlewellan

DOWN JUNIOR CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

DARRAGH CROSS V
NEWRY SHAMROCKS

Sunday, Castlewellan, 12.30pm

DARRAGH Cross won this game comfortably when the sides met in the opening round of the group stages. Newry Shamrock’s bounced back well with two wins on the trot but closing that 29-point gap is going to be a massive task.

Verdict: Darragh Cross

FERMANAGH SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
SEMI-FINALS

EDERNEY V ENNISKILLEN GAELS

Sunday, Tempo, 1pm

EDERNEY have done exceedingly well to reach this point, claiming an extra-time win over Kinawley last weekend. Enniskillen are more or less joined at the hip with Derrygonnelly when it comes to being championship favourites (the Gaels are slight favs) and it’ll take something special to beat them on Sunday.

Verdict: Enniskillen Gaels

DERRYGONNELLY V ERNE GAELS

Sunday, Kinawley, 4.30pm

A REPEAT of last year’s final, which Derrygonnelly won with something to spare. Even without the unavailable Jones brothers, they’ve looked in very good form in this year’s championship. Erne Gaels squeaked past Teemore but have the players to make a fist of this.

Verdict: Derrygonnelly

FERMANAGH INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

BELCOO V IRVINESTOWN

Saturday, Lisnaskea, 5pm

BELCOO have been in excellent form in the championship to date, finishing top of their group. Irvinestown finished second and needed a quarter-final win over Roslea to keep their hopes alive. There’s not much between these two teams at all.

Verdict: Irvinestown

LISNASKEA V TEMPO

Sunday, Donagh, 4.30pm

LISNASKEA gained automatic entry to the semi-finals by virtue of topping Group B while Tempo came through a last-eight battle with Derrylin to secure their spot in the last four. They looked impressive on their last day out so they might edge this one.

Verdict: Tempo

FERMANAGH SENIOR LADIES CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

DERRYGONNELLY V KINAWLEY

Saturday, Brewster Park. 7Pm

KINAWLEY are bidding for a seventh successive title when they face the Harps on Saturday, and it would be a surprise if that doesn’t come to pass. Kinawley were full value for their recent league final victory over Derrygonnelly and a couple of injured players have returned in the mean-time so they should win yet another title.

Verdict: Kinawley

MONAGHAN SENIOR FOOTBALL
CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINALS

INNISKEEN V CORDUFF

Saturday, Carrickmacross, 4.30pm

IT wasn’t the best of starts for last year’s beaten finalists Inniskeen, but they have slowly found their feet in the championship. Corduff will prove to be strong opponents, but John McEntee’s side may just have enough to get over this hurdle.

Verdict: Inniskeen

BALLYBAY V LATTON

Sunday, Clontibret, 4.30pm

BOTH teams got five points in their respective groups with two wins from their four championship outings. This one has the potential to go right down to the wire with 2022 champions Ballybay just edging it in the end.

Verdict: Ballybay

MONAGHAN INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP RELEGATION ROUND TWO

CLONES V EMYVALE

Sunday, Clones, 1.00pm

BOTH sides suffered slender defeats in the opening rounds of the relegation group stages, putting them under a mountain of pressure immediately. Clones have home advantage and that could just see them over the line against Emyvale.

Verdict: Clones

MONAGHAN HARPS V BLACKHILL

Sunday, Monaghan, 1.00pm

A win this weekend for either team will more or less save them from relegation and confirm their place in the Intermediate Championship for next season. Monaghan Harps look to be the stronger team and should make that count on Sunday.

Verdict: Monaghan Harps

MONAGHAN JUNIOR FOOTBALL
CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

DRUMHOWAN V TOOME

Saturday, Aughnamullen, 7.00pm

DRUMHOWAN were impressive winners in last week’s quarter-final and power passed Killeevan with the minimum of fuss. Toome didn’t have it as easy against Scotstown, and they could be up against it on Saturday evening.

Verdict: Drumhowan

AGHABOG EMMETS V EIRE OG

Sunday, Páirc, Sheáin Mhic Dhiarmada, 1.30pm

EIRE Og nudged by Currin by the minimum of margins to reach the last four while Aghabog were comfortable winners against Oram. Aghabog carried the favourites tag into this dual and they’ll want to make that count on the scoreboard.

Verdict: Aghabog Emmets

MONAGHAN LADIES JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL REPLAY

AUGHNAMULLEN V KILLEEVAN

Sunday, Blackhill, 3.30pm

KILLEEVAN looked dead and buried in last week’s showdown, but a quickfire 2-1 from Macayla Greenan earned them a draw. Aughnamullen will surely be hurting, and that emotion could guide them to victory in Sunday’s replay.

Verdict: Aughnamullen

TYRONE SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

TRILLICK V DUNGANNON

Friday, O’Neill’s Healy Park, 7.30pm

A FAMILIAR pairing this one, but no less exciting for it. It’s the fourth championship meeting of these two teams since 2020 and who knows how this one might pan out! Trillick won last year’s semi-final against the Clarkes and deservedly so but they haven’t really caught fire as of yet. Still though, they have serious talent in their ranks. Dungannon showed their spirit with a comeback win over Loughmacrory and will give it everything. A very hesitant nod for Trillick.

Verdict: Trillick

ERRIGAL CIARAN V KILLYCLOGHER

Sunday, O’Neill’s Healy Park, 7pm

THE Canavans were in top form up front as they edged their replay battle against Clonoe, while it was a similar enough story for Killyclogher as Mark Bradley starred with their replay win over Carrickmore. These two teams met in last year’s championship with Errigal cruising to a facile victory over an underpar Killyclogher, but it should be a lot closer on this occasion. On current form, Killyclogher have the potential to pull off an upset.

Verdict: Killyclogher

TYRONE INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

GREENCASTLE V MOY

Saturday, Pomeroy, 2pm

A TOUGHIE. The Moy needed a last-ditch score from the evergreen Colm Cavanagh to book their spot in the last eight and otherwise they’ve been a bit too reliant on Michael Conroy to provide the scores up front. If Greencastle manage to curtail the influence of Conroy and the Cavanaghs, they could well see themselves in the final.

Verdict: Greencastle

MOORTOWN V DERRYLAUGHAN

Saturday, Pomeroy, 3.45pm

IT’S a big Loughshore derby on Saturday afternoon as Moortown take on Derrylaughan. Moortown won the Intermediate title only a few years ago and looked brilliant on their opening day out against Fintona. They weren’t quite so hot against a resilient Aghyaran side in the quarters, but perhaps that scare will have done them no harm. Derrylaughan definitely have the potential to win this one if they get it right on the day.

Verdict: Moortown

TYRONE JUNIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

NAOMH COLUM CILLE V OMAGH ST ENDA’S

Sunday, O’Neill’s Healy Park, 1pm

ST Enda’s claimed their first Tyrone adult championship title since 1973 when they overcame Naomh Colum Cille in last year’s final. Naomh Colum Cille will be gunning for revenge but they won’t get anything handy against Omagh.

Verdict: Naomh Colum Cille

TYRONE SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

EIRE OG V EOGHAN RUADH

Sunday,

THE Eire Ogs are bidding to complete their first five-in-a-row since the eighties when they take on old foes Eoghan Ruadh, Dungannon. They came close to achieving the feat not that long ago, a Damian Casey-inspired Dungannon ending their drive for five in 2018. Carmen won last year’s final against the same opposition on a scoreline of 1-15 to 2-6, but Dungannon have been in excellent form this season so there’s a good chance they’ll claim their first Benburn Cup in five years.

Verdict: Eoghan Ruadh

TYRONE LADIES JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

DRUMRAGH V BERAGH

Saturday, Omagh, 3pm

THIS should be a close one. Drumragh are bidding for their first ever Junior title and can call upon strong players like former Tyrone star Neamh Cleary and current player Joanne Barrett. Beragh likewise have some top players like Jayne Lyons.

Verdict: Drumragh

TYRONE LADIES INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

COALISLAND V COOKSTOWN

Saturday, Omagh, 5pm

LAST year’s Junior Champions Coalisland have made brilliant progress this season and it’d be no surprise if they win back-to-back titles given they can call upon the likes of sharpshooter Nicole Murphy and Emma Jane Gervin. Cookstown have done very well to reach the final but we’ll tip Na Fianna.

Verdict: Coalisland

TYRONE LADIES SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

ST MACARTAN’S V CARRICKMORE

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THIS is a repeat of the 2021 final which Carrickmore edged in a low-scoring encounter. St Macartan’s never go away and are back in county final day after losing last year’s showdown after extra-time to Errigal Ciaran. Their captain Shannon McQuaid is injured while Carrickmore can call upon young talent Sorcha Gormley and veteran Gemma Begley. It’ll go right down to the wire.

Verdict: St Macartan’s