Antrim SFC
NO huge surprises in the make-up of the last four in the football championship, although the layout of the semi-finals has caused a bit of controversy.
Antrim published their structure earlier in the year with preordained semi-finals that would have been Cargin v Portglenone and St Brigid’s v Lamh Dhearg.
But somewhere along the way that got changed and they decided to hold a draw after the last quarter-final on Sunday, resulting in a repeat of the league final in which St Brigid’s beat Cargin, while Portglenone and Lamh Dhearg face off instead.
With the GAA’s rules outlawing any change to a championship’s structure after it has begun, if any of the four teams took enough issue with the change to protest then the draw would almost certainly have to revert back to what was originally furnished to clubs.
It’s understood that neither Cargin or St Brigid’s are likely to make any issue of it and with the other two presumably happy enough with their lot, the draw now will be the draw.
Those games are on the weekend of September 28/29.
Lamh Dhearg’s extra-time win over Creggan was the standout result of the weekend past. Portglenone and St Brigid’s both had to fend off big rallies from St John’s and Dunloy respectively, while Cargin were impressive in Friday night’s big win over Ahoghill.
Semi-finals (September 28/29): Cargin v St Brigid’s, Portglenone v Lamh Dhearg
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Armagh
NO rest in the busy schedule, with the four quarter-finals all taking place in the Box-It Athletic Grounds across two days this weekend.
Things look fairly wide open right now in Armagh. You look at the four fixtures and see four underdogs that all have enough of a formline to suggest there’ll be a shock somewhere this weekend.
The south Armagh derby between Crossmaglen and Cullyhanna takes top billing on Sunday evening, with Armagh Harps fancying their chances against Clann Eireann on Saturday night. Killeavy have found form and after knocking out Maghery, Mullaghbawn will be buoyant heading in to face Madden.
Saturday
5.30pm, Athletic Grounds: Clan na Gael v Killeavy
7.30pm, Athletic Grounds: Armagh Harps v Clann Eireann
Sunday
4pm, Athletic Grounds: Madden v Mullaghbawn
6pm, Athletic Grounds: Crossmaglen v Cullyhanna
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Cavan
THIS time last year, all the talk was of Crosserlough and how they seemed destined to take the title off Gowna.
Fast forward a few weeks and that prediction was reversed in a semi-final that set Gowna on their way to back-to-back titles.
Right now, nobody in Cavan can pick a favourite. A championship that has typically been unpredictable for more than a decade has never looked moreso.
Gowna haven’t caught fire at all yet, lucky to get out of a group where eight of the 12 teams qualified. Last year’s beaten finalists Kingscourt didn’t even manage that.
Ramor United won the league but stuttered out of the group and while Crosserlough were perhaps the most impressive so far, there will still be a question mark over whether they can win it without the free-scoring Paddy Lynch.
The quarter-finals are down for decision this weekend.
This weekend
Quarter-finals (TBC): Crosserlough v Ballinagh, Ballyhaise v Gowna, Ramor United v Castlerahan, Cavan Gaels v Mullahoran
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Derry
SWATRAGH will host Bellaghy on Sunday afternoon in what is to all intents and purposes a straight shootout for the fourth qualification spot in Group A.
Slaughtneil, Glen and Dungiven are already through to the last eight, although the order will be determined by their final games and matters in terms of the quarter-final draw, which is first v fourth and second v third across the groups.
A draw does Swatragh, with Bellaghy needing to find a victory over an opponent that has troubled them plenty in recent years.
Newbridge and Magherafelt are through from Group B.
If The Loup fail to beat neighbours Magherafelt on Sunday, Lavey will go through irrespective of how they do against Steelstown, who need to at least draw combined with defeat for The Loup.
League winners Kilrea are already eliminated in Group A.
Ballinascreen are bottom of Group B but would qualify if they won against Newbridge and both Loup and Steelstown were to lose.
If the bottom three of Loup, Steelstown and ‘Screen were all to finish level on three points, Loup would qualify based on the results of a mini table with the other two.
Qualified for quarter-finals: Slaughtneil, Glen, Dungiven, Newbridge, Magherafelt
Eliminated: Kilrea
This weekend (all games Sunday, 2.30pm): Slaughtneil v Dungiven, Swatragh v Bellaghy, Glen v Kilrea; Loup v Magherafelt, Lavey v Steelstown, Ballinascreen v Newbridge
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Donegal
THE big two of recent years are set for their latest showdown at the quarter-final stage this weekend.
Holders Naomh Conaill have been St Eunan’s nemesis for a decade, although on the flipside the Letterkenny men are the only team to have beaten Martin Regan’s side in the last five years, winning the 2021 final by ten points.
They’ve already met in the group stage but this one – looking likely to be set for Ballybofey on Saturday evening – is for real.
Last year’s beaten finalists Gaoth Dobhair face an up-and-coming Four Masters in an intriguing tie, while a Michael Murphy-inspired Glenswilly will be confident of a return to the last four when they face Dungloe. Kilcar meet St Michael’s in the other game.
Dates and times are yet to be confirmed but all four are this weekend.
This weekend
Quarter-finals (TBC): St Eunan’s v Naomh Conaill, Dungloe v Glenswilly, Gaoth Dobhair v Four Masters, St Michael’s v Kilcar
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Down
KILCOO or Mayobridge will complete the semi-final line-up when they meet this evening in Pairc Esler (7.30pm).
The winners will join Burren, Carryduff and Glenn in a semi-final line-up that’s so far unsurprising.
Those games will be played in two weeks’ time, with the draws for the semis to take place after the game tonight.
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Fermanagh
TWO head-to-head showdowns for top spot in the groups this weekend, with the winners going straight to the semi-final.
Derrygonnelly need a win over Erne Gaels in one and Enniskillen Gaels hold the aces against Kinawley in the other.
Ederney and Teemore will be out unless they beat Devenish and Belnaleck respectively.
Saturday
4pm, Irvinestown: Ederney v Devenish; 4pm, Garrison: Derrygonnelly v Erne Gaels; 4pm, Donagh: Belnaleck v Teemore; 4pm, Tempo: Enniskillen Gaels v Kinawley
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Monaghan
AFTER a hectic few weeks of the group stage, everyone gets a bit of a break now, with the quarter-finals not down for decision until the first weekend of October.
They’re two appetising fixtures as well, with last year’s beaten finalists Inniskeen facing Corduff and 2022 winners Ballybay taking on Latton.
Scotstown will face the winners of the first game in the semi-final the following weekend, with Clontibret in line to meet the Ballybay/Latton victors.
No big surprise in the make-up of the last six, with Cremartin, Aughnamullen, Killanny and Donaghmoyne the teams knocked out.
Quarter-finals
October 5/6
Ballybay v Latton, Inniskeen v Corduff
Semi-finals
October 13
Scotstown v Inniskeen/Corduff
Clontibret v Ballybay/Latton
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Tyrone
THE quarter-finals are front-loaded this weekend, with the big clash between Killyclogher and Carrickmore up first in a now-traditional home of 8.30pm on the Friday night.
They both had dramatic first round wins, hitting late winners against Omagh and Dromore respectively, and that one is sure to draw a big crowd.
After an impressive win over Galbally, there will be eyes on whether Loughmacrory can end the hopes of All-Ireland sevens champions Dungannon on Saturday afternoon.
The two Sunday games look more straightforward on paper, with holders Trillick and eternal favourites Errigal Ciaran fancied to overcome Ardboe and Clonoe respectively.
Friday
8.30pm, Healy Park: Killyclogher v Carrickmore
Saturday
3.30pm, Pomeroy: Loughmacrory v Dungannon
Sunday
3pm, Carrickmore: Trillick v Ardboe
7pm, Dungannon: Errigal Ciaran v Clonoe