Preview: Big guns go head to head

GAA preview

Another bumper weekend is in store in the club championships with two JFC semi-finals, two IFC semi-finals, two SFC quarter-final replays, one SFC relegation play-off replay and one IFC relegation play-off down for decision.

In the Senior Championship, Ramor v Laragh and Killygarry v Gowna were the two most enthralling matches in the senior competition to date and the replays should attract large attendances as a result.

Ramor got out of jail, with Laragh missing a great chance for a point which would surely have sealed their passage to the last four. However, on the balance of play, Ramor were the better team for long spells and will be expected to justify favouritism this time around, especially with fitness doubts surrounding Laragh’s outstanding county man Jack McKenna.

The concession of three goals was unusual for the Virginia men but Laragh showed they can be a force at senior level and an intriguing tie is in store, with Ramor getting the vote.

Gowna also had reason to feel relieved as they snatched a draw against Killygarry. Five up midway through the second half and seemingly cruising, they fell asunder as Killygarry reeled off some superb scores, youngster Darragh Lovett particularly impressive.

History tells us that underdogs rarely win replays but there is not much between these teams. Gowna won by a point when they met in both 2020 and 2021, Killygarry won by two in the first round last year and Gowna won the county final between the teams with seven to spare.

The champions’ form has been middling at best but they showed flashes of their old selves last weekend and should they win this replay, they will come into the semi-final against Crosserlough after a run remarkably similar to last year. Gowna get the nod, just about, to edge this one.

The Intermediate semi-final draw features a few surprise packages. Fancied teams like Cuchulainns and Butlersbridge bit the dust early and while Ballyhaise were always expected to advance to a fourth successive semi-final, Killinkere, Denn and Shercock were ranked slightly behind the leading pretenders.

However, they are there on merit and each will fancy their chances of going all the way at this stage. Denn, the 2021 Ulster junior champions, look to have a potent mix of pace and strength as well as firepower. Shercock are more than the sum of their parts and have played very well thus far, with the likes of Killian Clarke, Niall Clerkin, Ryan Clerkin and Sean Clarke outstanding.

In the other semi, Ballyhaise, seeking to make a third successive final, have looked formidable but will get nothing easy against a well-conditioned Killinkere side who have improved since the emergence of a number of talented youngsters including, but not limited to, Alex Sweeney, Conall Mooney and Cian McGovern.

Denn and Ballyhaise are taken to advance but a draw in at least one of these games is quite probable.

At junior level, Arva and Knockbride have been on everyone’s shortlist all year and with good reason; both will play Division 1 league football next season. They have dished out some hammerings (Kildallan scored 0-1 against Arva and Munterconnaught managed 0-2 while Kill kicked 0-3 against Knockbride) and are strongly fancied to advance to what would be a mouth-watering final.

However, well-organised Shannon Gaels and Drumalee sides will be no pushovers.

The Lilywhites are unbeaten and gave a good account of themselves in the semi-final last year while Shannon Gaels, regulars at this stage of the competition, have lost just once (to Arva) and are coming in off the back of a very impressive win over Mountnugent.

That said, anything other than wins for Knockbride and Arva would be seismic upsets.

In the relegation play-offs, Lacken and Lavey meet again.

The New Inns men have had a disappointing season but roused themselves last weekend, only to squander a lot of chances. The Celtics have been competitive in most games and had a difficult draw in the group. This one will go to the wire again.

Finally, Belturbet and Drumgoon meet to decide which team goes down to junior ranks for 2024. Both had extended stays in senior and intermediate ranks stretching back over two decades.

The Rorys have struggled for scores while Drumgoon will wonder how they ended up in this position after a number of narrow losses.

• The Ladies finals are on this Saturday at Kingspan Breffni.

11.45: JFC, Cavan Gaels v Cuchulainns

1.45: IFC, Ballyhaise v Mullahoran

4pm: SFC, Drumlane v Lacken