Stage set for big championship tussles
Paul Fitzpatrick
And then there were four. The Hotel Kilmore IFC semi-finals are down for decision tomorrow evening (Sat) in Kingspan Breffni Park and, from a neutral’s point of view, they couldn’t be any more finely poised.
First up at 6.30pm at HQ is the meeting of neighbours Laragh United and Killinkere. United have been in excellent form of late, running up some huge scores in their group games and impressing greatly in their quarter-final win over Swanlinbar.
Sean Finnegan’s charges are a pacey side with lots of firepower, including Paddy Rudden, who has landed 2-19 to date in the championship, and wing-forward Oisin Carolan, who has 2-10 to his name.
Killinkere, under Damien Donohoe, have been the surprise packages of the championship. They put some patchy league form behind them to open with an eye-catching win over Division 1 side Arva and followed up with victories over Drumlane, Drumalee and, last time out, Butlersbridge to make the last four.
Among their key men have been Jason McMahon and Emmett Fitzsimons, who have combined for a whopping 3-33 between them.
The second match on the bill is the meeting of Arva and Shercock. Arva, under the management of former Cavan star Peter Reilly from Knockbride, got off to a slow-burner of a start but found form at the right time in the group and delivered their best performance to date against Bailieborough last time out, with Kevin Bouchier in sparkling form.
They will face a stern examination from Killian Clarke’s Shercock, however – they were excellent when running up a 10-point half-time lead against Redhills in the quarter-final and a repeat of that form would make them a formidable proposition.
Two fantastic matches are expected. Meanwhile, Cootehill-Gowna and Lacken-Castlerahan clash in the SFC quarter-final replays in Virginia and Mullahoran respectively, also on Saturday evening.
CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES
Intermediate Championship 2016
Sat, 17 Sep, Venue: Kingspan Breffni Pk, Laragh Utd V Killinkere 18:30, Ref: TBC
Sat, 17 Sep, Venue: Kingspan Breffni Pk, Arva V Shercock 20:00, Ref: TBC
Hotel Kilmore Junior Championship Shield 2016
Sat, 17 Sep, Venue: St. Mattews Park , Knockbride V Munterconnaught 16:30, Ref: TBC
Senior Championship 2016
Sat, 17 Sep, Venue: Our Lady of Lourdes Park, Lacken V Castlerahan 17:00, Ref: TBC
Sat, 17 Sep, Venue: Dolan Park, Cootehill V Gowna 17:00, Ref: TBC
Junior B C'Ship Group 2
Fri, 16 Sep, Venue: O'Raghallaigh Park, Kingscourt V Crosserlough 20:15, Ref: TBC
Farnham Arms Hotel Minor C Championship
Sat, 17 Sep, Venue: O Connell Park, Templeport V West Cavan Gaels 13:30, Ref: TBC
Sat, 17 Sep, Venue: Boyle Park, Naomh Brid V Kingscourt 13:30, Ref: TBC