Kingscourt build on strong championship start

Bumper weekend of championship action

This weekend's championship fixtures have got underway with the heavyweights continuing their strong opening to the campaign.

Last night Kingscourt Stars travelled to Kingspan Breffni and overcame the considerable challenge of Killygarry. Last year's finalists came away with a four point victory (2-12 to 1-11) due in no small part to goals by Sean Burke and Odhran Cunningham.

Killygarry had entered the contest with confidence coming off the back of a opening round win against Castlerahan.

Meanwhile the 2020 title winners Crosserlough demolished their second team in two weeks. Having beaten Lavey handily in the opening round they had 18 points to spare against Laragh United last night (2-18 to 0-06). Peter Smith and Matthew Costello bagged the goals in quick succession early in the second half to extinguish the Laragh challenge.

The black and amber brigade were a turbo-charged outfit in the second half and will look to continue in that vein when they cross swords this Friday in Mullagh (8pm) with a Laragh side doubtless still sore about their 1-9 to 0-14 first round loss to Ballinagh.

After their surprise defeat (0-11 to 0-14) to Mullahoran, Cavan Gaels need to steady the ship with a local derby win over Ballinagh on Saturday in Cornafean (6.30pm). Easier said than done though considering the spirit in the Ballinagh camp right now following their 0-14 to 1-9 victory over Laragh and their recent league success.

Mullahoran and Ramor Utd are also in action (at Kingspan Breffni, 6.45pm) on Saturday. Ramor just scraped (1-13 to 0-13) past Ballyhaise last weekend with a very average first half display. United will require a more consistent effort to overcome Mullahoran.

The Ballyhaise boys take on defending champions Gowna in Ballinagh (4pm) on Sunday. The 2023 IFC winners deserved at least a draw against Ramor, but they would just love a draw this Sunday.

Gowna have been nothing if not consistent in their penchant for stuttering in the early rounds of the SFC. Ballyhaise could catch them cold but the red and green brigade should pick up their first victory.

Lavey and Castlerahan will go at it like stags butting in the glen at Dolan Park Ramor (2pm) on Sunday with pride and a lot more at stake. Lavey are much better than they showed in the second half last weekend against Crosserlough and they will be determined to bounce back. For their part, an albeit aging Castlerahan squad still have enough in their armoury to open their account with a win.

Elsewhere in the Intermediate grade, Butlersbridge made light work of a Drumlane challenge that looked better on paper than in reality at Bawnboy last night. This had been expected to be a tight contest but Butlersbridge eased to a nine point win.

Meanwhile, everyone’s favourites for the IFC title this year, Arva, will have to be on their guard when they take on Templeport on Sunday in Belturbet (2pm) after the latter’s victory over Cootehill Celtic last weekend. But the game is likely to stick to the script.

At Bailieboro on Saturday (6.30pm) , Drumgoon take on next-door neighbours Shercock. Another one pretty much too close to call.

Also on Saturday (at Crosskeys, 6.30pm), Cuchulainns clash with Ballymachugh. The former ought to collect their second successive victory.

Denn and Lacken’s clash on Sunday in Drumalee (2pm) has the look of a draw about it as does the meeting of Cootehill Celtic and Killinkere in Kingspan Breffni (5pm) on Sunday.

Bailieboro will have been buoyed by their win over Lacken Celtic last weekend but their opponents, Cornafean, will take some beating after their rather unlucky defeat to Cuchulainns last time out.

The third round of the JFC campaign also continues this weekend with the clash of title pretenders Belturbet and red hot title favourites Knockbride sure to attract a bumper crowd to Kingspan Breffni on Saturday (5pm).

Last night however Kill and Kildallan played out a hugely entertaining and high scoring draw at Butlersbridge (2-15 to 3-12).

Swanlinbar and Shannon Gaels at Ballyconnell will probably have to battle right down to the wire to realise their goal and the same can be said in terms of the clash of Mountnugent and Redhills.

Surprise packets Drung can look forward with confidence to a place in the quarter-finals if they beat Munterconnacht in Knockbride (2pm) on Sunday but the Munchies have the tools to be party poopers.

Elsewhere, Drumalee should be too strong for Killeshandra in Drumlane on Saturday (6.30pm).