Semi-final places up for grabs

GAA

Paul Fitzpatrick

After a super Sunday of action in the Senior Championship which, after 24 group matches, saw four teams exit the race, the focus turns to the Intermediate and Junior Championships this weekend, with quarter-finals, Shield matches and relegation semi-finals down for decision.

On Thursday evening, red-hot favourites for the Sean Leddy Cup, Knockbride, were fancied to get the better of a Munterconnaught side who had two fine wins and two disappointing losses in the group stages - and they managed it, but only after a struggle.

Munterconnaught went 0-8 to 0-2 ahead in the first half but the Munchies rallied and when they hit the net going into second-half injury time, there were just two points in it before Knockbride pulled away to win by 0-15 to 1-8, with Lorcan Reilly scoring 0-10 (9f).

This evening (Friday), Redhills take on Swanlinbar in what should be an evenly-contested clash between both border sides; Redhills have already secured league promotion and are in the last eight for the first time in four years while a young ‘Swad have also improved significantly, despite a heavy loss to Knockbride last time.

Shannon Gaels, meanwhile, are through to the JFC quarter-finals for the 19th time in 20 years but will be slight underdogs against an experienced Belturbet side who were rated as second favourites for the title but had to overcome some sticky games in the group before advancing.

Kill Shamrocks and Drumalee also looks like a potentially close tie – they both finished on 16 points in the Division 3 league and met twice, each winning one.

In the Junior Shield, Killeshandra take on Corlough with Mountnugent facing Maghera.

The Intermediate Championship quarter-finals are sure to generate plenty of interest; unlike the Senior Championship, where there are three repeat pairings from the group, there are some novel ties down for decision.

Arva have been the form team thus far and will be fancied to get past a Bailieboriugh side who showed grit to dig out a win over Drumgoon last weekend. Denn and Shercock meet in a repeat of last year’s semi-final; Denn seem to be coming into form after slow start but while Shercock are understrength, both sides have plenty of championship pedigree.

Cuchulainns v Cootehill will be an intrioguing match; the Cross-Mullagh men have three wins under their belts but have yet to hit their stride fully, a good position to be in, while Cootehill have only been beaten once in four games to date – however, they have not played any of the top seven in the table. This will be seen as a winnable match for both camps.

Cornafean started the championship very well, had a dip and were well off the pace in the first half against Denn last week before a rousing comeback which fell short but should give them confidence. They will need to be at their best, however, against a mobile Butlersbridge side who won this title three years ago and had a perfect record in the group.

In the relegation play-offs, Templeport take on Drumgoon, with Lacken facing neighbours Ballymachugh for the second time in this competition.