IFC and JFC quarter-finals down for decision

GAA news

After 80 matches, there are 24 teams still standing in the Cavan club football championships following the conclusion of the group stages last weekend.

In senior, all of the big guns got through with the exception of Lavey, who were in the last six quarter-finals but missed out having come up short by a point against Mullahoran, who themselves qualified for a third quarter-final in succession.

Cavan Gaels topped the group and will meet Gowna in an intriguing quarter-final, with Killygarry taking on Kingscourt, who got out of jail with a stirring win over Gowna in Killinkere on Sunday.

Crosserlough take on neighbours Lacken in a repeat of their round two game, with Ramor United facing Mullahoran.

Those games are down for decision on the weekend after this, with all games in Kingspan Breffni. That is the case again this weekend, with eight quarter-finals down for decision across Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, all at HQ.

The action throws in tomorrow (Thursday) with the meeting of Drung and Drumalee. Ciaran O'Malley's men are one of the most improved sides in the county and secured promotion in the league. The teams drew during that competition back on May 7 and a similarly close game is likely, with Drumalee getting the verdict providing they can limit the scoring prowess of brothers Tiarnan and Caolán Reilly.

Knockbride will be fancied to get the better of a talented but inconsistent Munterconnaught side. Aidan McCabe's charges had a tough draw in the group stage but performed well, holding Arva to stalemate and losing by a point to Drumlane.

Mountnugent and Drumlane is an intriguing game. The former were the highest scoring team in the county during the league but after wins over Corlough, Maghera and Redhills, they disappointed against Drung last time and the Sons of O'Connell, despite the likely absence of Donal Monahan, are favoured, with captain Ryan Connolly in fine form.

The last of the quarter-finals sees a potent and experienced Arva outfit, who have recently secure league promotion to Division 1, meet Shannon Gaels. The Gaels started the championship well, with Caoimhan McGovern making a welcome return, but they looked well off the pace against Drumlane and will be underdogs here.

At intermediate level, there are a number of interesting ties. Castlerahan, with vast SFC-winning experience, have plotted their course this far with the minimum of fuss and will be expected to see off a Bailieborough Shamrocks side who have failed to build on the promise shown in 2021.

While the Shamrocks have found their scoring touch in the last couple of games and an upset is not beyond the realms of possibility, unbeaten Castlerahan look the safer bet.

Cuchulainns and Killinkere meet in a local derby on Saturday which should attract a large crowd. Killinkere leaked a lot of scores earlier in the year but have tightened things up and their morale-boosting win over Templeport at the weekend sets them up well under former SFC-winning manager Dudley Farrell.

They dumped their neighbours out in the final group match in 2020 but Cuchulainns beat them last year in the group and will start as favourites here. Micheál Lyng's charges are unbeaten in the competition, with a nice blend of youth and experience, and look set for a bold bid.

Templeport and Cootehill is arguably the tie of the round. The St Aidan's were unbeaten in 18 games coming into last weekend but came up short; Cootehill, meanwhile, seem to be finding form at the right time.

Both will operate out of Division 2 next year and there will likely not be much between them here. Templeport get a tentative vote to advance.

The last of the games sees Ballyhaise, beaten by a point in last year's final, meet Denn, the 2021 county and provincial junior champions. Ballyhaise have a formidable looking panel, despite the absence of key marksman Kevin Tierney, and while Denn are strong and have found their groove of late after a dismal league, the loss of a couple of their leaders from last year could see them come up short.

FIXTURES

McEvoys Supervalu Virginia Intermediate Championship 2022

Fri, 09 Sep, Venue: Kingspan Breffni, Castlerahan V Bailieborough 20:00, Ref: Jim Giblin

Sat, 10 Sep, Venue: Kingspan Breffni, Cuchulainns V Killinkere 19:30, Ref: Padraig Sheridan

Sun, 11 Sep, Venue: Kingspan Breffni, Templeport V Cootehill 16:00, Ref: Paddy Clarke

Sun, 11 Sep, Venue: Kingspan Breffni, Ballyhaise V Denn 19:00, Ref: Ollie Donohoe

Sun, 11 Sep, Venue: Sheelin Park, Ballymachugh V Killeshandra 12:00, Ref: Bartley Gilsenan

Sun, 11 Sep, Venue: Boyle Park, Drumgoon V Belturbet 12:00, Ref: Harry Conaty

Michael Fitzpatrick Architects Ltd Junior Championship 2022

Thu, 08 Sep, Venue: Kingspan Breffni, Drung V Drumalee 20:00, Ref: Paul Kerr

Sat, 10 Sep, Venue: Kingspan Breffni, Munterconnaught V Knockbride 17:30, Ref: Chris Mc Caffrey

Sat, 10 Sep, Venue: Kingspan Breffni, Mountnugent V Drumlane 15:30, Ref: Packie Smith

Sun, 11 Sep, Venue: Kingspan Breffni, Arva V Shannon Gaels 14:00, Ref: Paudge Farrelly

Senior Hurling Championship

Wed, 07 Sep, Venue: Edwin Carolan Community Park, East Cavan Gaels V Mullahoran St Joseph’s 20:00, Ref: James Clarke

Wed, 07 Sep, Venue: St Aidens Park, Cootehill V Pearse Ogs 20:15, Ref: John Emmo Ref