Knockout matches beckon for main contenders

Knockout matches beckon for main contenders

20 August 2014

IT’S the last chance saloon for several teams this weekend as the championship group games hurtle to a conclusion.

There’s little time for players to rest after the weekend’s games as the final round of group games in the SFC and IFC will take place from tomorrow through to Sunday.

KILCOO have already qualified from Group A in the SFC and they should easily brush off the TULLYLISH challenge.

MAYOBRIDGE are up against ROSTREVOR and this should be a real humdinger with the winner joining the Magpies in the last eight.

CASTLEWELLAN will have little difficulty in getting by DRUMGATH in Group B, while BALLYHOLLAND and CLONDUFF will be a very tight game with Clonduff expected to edge it.

BURREN and LONGSTONE have both qualified from Group C and their meeting will determine the section winner.

ANNACLONE’S engagement with LOUGHINISLAND is a dead rubber with only bragging rights at stake.

In Group D BRYANSFORD are expected to get the better of a faltering GLENN outfit, while DOWNPATRICK have it in them to see off SAVAL. But, Conor McGrady, Michael Magee and Joe Fegan will have to see a lot more of the ball in attacking positions.

AN RIOCHT and BALLYMARTIN have both qualified from Group A in the IFC and they will come together to decide the table topper. The Lilywhites might just edge a game which Marty Clarke is rumoured to be playing in.

The meeting of SHAMROCKS and DARRAGH CROSS is meaningless, but even so Darragh are fancied to take the scalp off their Newry opponents.

WARRENPOINT will beat AGHADERG in Group B and thus gain qualification for the quarters.

BREDAGH should also have too much for BOSCO as they look to secure their passage through.

In Group C LIATROIM are taken to down TECONNAUGHT, while ST. JOHN’S and GLASDRUMMAN should be an exciting game with the winner sealing progress.

Group D will be fascinating with all teams currently on two points each.

CLANN NA BANNA and SAUL is set to be an explosive tie with the Banbridge town outfit expected to edge it narrowly.

ATTICALL can hold off the challenge of CARRYDUFF and take themselves through.