Weekend championship previews

Paul Fitzpatrick It's Friday afternoon and time to nail our colours to the mast. Who is going to win the big games this weekend? Here goes. Starting tonight with the IFC semi-final replay between Crosserlough and Lacken, we expect another really tight battle. The Lough will feel they should've won first day out, wasting a host of chances, but it must be noted that Lacken conceded a penalty and played the entire second half with 14 men. There's more improvement in Lacken's key men, especially the likes of Ray Galligan, who could be the match-winner tonight. Lacken must get to grips with Crosserlough speedsters Enda Gaffney, Barry McKiernan and Dara McVeety, but if they can halt their gallop, they'll be halfway there. Verdict: Lacken by two Kildallan take on Mountnugent in the JFC semi-final tomorrow in what will also be a close battle. Mountnugent are improved but are still heavilty reliant on David Givney both to win the ball and to score. Kildallan are a very, very young side and, since they have brough Gary Donohoe in as trainer, have improved considerably, blitzing a poor Bailieborough in the league last time out. Darragh McGovern kicked 3-6 in the quarter-final against Munterconnacht and if the Ballyconnell boys can repeat that form, they'll cause the upset. Verdict: Kildallan by three Cootehill and Swad are two evenly-matched sides, with the Celtics holding the edge in pace in the likes of Enda Hessin and Stevie O'Connor, but Swad holding trump cards in Gearoid McKiernan and Michael Cunningham at midfield. The presence of John McCutcheon, however, will give them something to think about and with Mark Cunningham off the scene, Swad may lack some firepower. Verdict: Cootehill by three So, it's a Lacken-Kildallan, Cootehill treble for us. What's your take?