(all games Sunday, 2.30pm)
Gaoth Dobhair V St Michael’s
ST Michael’s have been struck a big blow with the news that star player Michael Langan will not be available for the knock-out stages of the championship as he is due to go travelling.
He will be a factor this weekend, though, and a win here would put his side in the top four.
“It was tough on my mum and dad. I knew I was self-destructing. And I also knew the next phase of that, if I had carried on, it was not being here. I was in a very dark place...” - the life and times of Caolan Mooney
“I felt as if the world was going to end...” St Colman’s College sports studies students submit articles on the game, fight or issue that mattered most to them this year…
But a resurgent Gaoth Dobhair could go ahead of them after recovering from a somewhat choppy start.They have Odhran McFadden/Ferry back to boost their chances.
Ardara v Four Masters
ARDARA bounced back from losing their first two games to beat Aodh Ruadh and a home victory here would see them safe on four points. However, defeat could cause a few anxious moments depending on other results.
Four Masters suffered their first defeat last time out to Glenswilly but are already safe and a win would put them into the preliminary quarter finals at least.
Glenswilly v Sean Mac Cumhaills
Twin Towns ace forward Oisin Gallen is expected to return from injury for the visitors as they take on table-toppers Glenswilly, but Joel Bradley Walsh misses out.
MacCumhaills are one of seven teams on four points and a win would put them into the knock-out stages, with scoring difference likely to be a significant factor in deciding the top four. It does, however, look like Glenswilly will make it.
Kilcar v Cloughaneely
Scoring difference could be a big factor here also as Kilcar aim for a top-four slot against pointless Cloughaneely, who are are already out of the equation. You can expect Paddy McBrearty and co to be racking up the scores in Towney.
Downings v St Eunan’s
Downings had their first win last day out, giving them a bit of a lifeline.
But St Eunan’s, who surprisingly lost to Gaoth Dobair, will be coming looking for maximum points to try and get into the top four. However, that could depend on results elsewhere.
In the O’Donnells and Pauric Boyle, Eunan’s have the artillery to put up a big score and make a realistic drive for that top four, or at least the preliminary quarter finals.
Downings will put up a big battle at home but it looks like damage limitation for them.
Killybegs v Glenfin
A preliminary quarter-final is the aim for Killybegs as they tackle pointless Glenfin in Fintra.
The Fishermen had a badly-needed win over neighbours St Naul’s in a re-arranged fixture last weekend, but a defeat here could also raise the spectre of a relegation play-off.
Glenfin are championship battlers and could make it quite a contest but with Hugh McFadden in fine form, it looks like the Fishermen will advance.
Dungloe v St Naul’s
It has been a much-improved season for Dungloe and they will fancy their chances of moving up to six points and knock-out territory against winless St Naul’s at home.
Depending on scoring difference, they have a chance of reaching the quarter-finals, or at the very least the preliminary quarter-finals.
St Naul’s have had a choppy season and will need a big performance, but this looks very much like a home win.
Naomh Chonaill V Aodh Ruadh
This was the one game that Aodh Ruadh did not want as they battle to stay in the top 12.
Maurice McLaughlin’s men have two points, but they face a Glenties side with a vested interest in making the top four as they have a good scoring difference.
Aodh Ruadh will need to lose by less to Naomh Conaill than Ardara if they were to lose to Four Masters.
Aodh Ruadh will be defensive, but Glenties could rack up a big score to send out a signal of intent before the knock-out stages.
