The stage is set for a dramatic evening of action in the Meade Farm Intermediate Football Championship and the Balreask Bar, Restaurant & Guest Accomodation Junior Football Championship on Friday evening as Group C of the former and Group A of the latter come to their conclusion.

Ballivor have won both of their games to date but come into tonight’s game knowing that their passage through to the last eight is far from certain, with a defeat to Duleek-Bellewstown who were finalists in 2022 and 2023 potentially seeing them being knocked out. Duleek-Bellewstown for their part, know a draw would be sufficient for them to go through if Longwood defeat Castletown in Cortown but won’t want to be relying on that so in all reality, a victory is what they require.

Should Ballivor, Duleek-Bellewstown and Castletown all end up on four points then a mini table will come into effect with only the results between these sides applying.  Ballivor defeated Castletown by a point in Round 1 and Castletown defeated Duleek-Bellewstown by 2 points in Round 2. The tension levels will be high at both venues should this potential scenario look likely to come into play come the final whistle.

And indeed, Longwood are not out of the equation either as if Ballivor defeat Duleek-Bellewstown and Longwood defeat Castletown, Longwood, Duleek-Bellewstown and Castletown would all end up on two points and the same scenario using a mini league table would apply.

In Group A of the Balreask Bar, Restaurant & Guest Accomodation Junior Football Championship, St. Ultan’s sit atop the table with two wins from two but face a tough test against Syddan in Nobber.  Rumours abound that there could be a late change to the St. Ultan’s starting line-up with a key member of their starting XV suggested to be ruled out with a hamstring injury.  That would be a massive blow should it come to pass and they face a Slane side who are smarting from the manner of their Round 2 defeat at the hands of Syddan.

Slane know they are capable of pulling off a win here but they will need to up their performance levels from what was seen in Baile Ghib a fortnight ago.  Injuries have been a hindrance for them to date in the Championship with both Podge McGowan and Eanna Mooney struggling for fitness at times.  McGowan is named to start tonight with Mooney on the bench and both will be needed if Slane are to go deep in the Championship.

Syddan will come into their game with Moylagh on a high after their smash and grab win over Slane while Moylagh have two defeats from two games.  On form to date, it is difficult to look past Syddan but if the likes of Shane Gibney, Sean Reilly and Tommy O’Reilly hit top form then Moylagh are capable of getting a win.

Once more, there is the potential for mini league table to come into effect here.  Should Slane beat St. Ultan’s and Syddan defeat Moylagh, then Slane, St. Ultan’s and Syddan will all end on four points.  Alternatively, if Moylagh topple Syddan and St. Ultan’s take care of Slane then St. Ultan’s will progress with maximum points to the knockout stages and a mini league will be required to separate Slane, Syddan and Moylagh.

The Meade Farm Intermediate Football Championship Group B Round 3 game between Ballivor and Duleek-Bellewstown will be streamed live by Clubber. Link to purchase the stream: Ballivor v Duleek-Bellewstown Live-Stream

The games are all-ticket and tickets can be purchased here: Club Football Championship Tickets

Meade Farm Intermediate Football Championship Group C Round 3

Ballivor v Duleek-Bellewstown

Longwood v Castletown

Balreask Bar, Restaurant & Guest Accomodation Junior Football Championship Group C Round 3

Moylagh v Syddan

St. Ultan’s v Slane

Thursday’s Results

Fairyhouse Steel Senior Football Championship Group C Round 3

Meade Farm Intermediate Football Championship Group A Round 3

Ciaran McConnell rises highest to claim possession as Bective and Nobber drew in Ballinlough on Thursday. Photo via Paula Greif/www.sportsaction.ie