Following on from Friday’s drama filled night of football in which Castletown and Ballivor progressed to the quarter finals of the Meade Farm Intermediate Football Championship after the numbers were crunched following them tying on four points with Duleek-Bellewstown, focus turns to the seven games on Saturday across the Fairyhouse Steel Senior Football Championship, Meade Farm Intermediate Football Championship, Balreask Bar, Restaurant & Guest Accomodation Junior Football Championship and Coolrite Junior B Football Championship.

Things were also very interesting in Group A of the Balreask Bar, Restaurant & Guest Accomodation JFC on Friday with Slane finishing top of the group by virtue of having the head to head advantage over St. Ultan’s when they defeated the Bohermeen side by four points in Nobber.  Syddan needed a substantial win over Moylagh to be in with a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages but a first half hat-trick from Shane Gibney pushed Moylagh into a commanding lead and try as Syddan did, they couldn’t find the result they required and had to settle for a draw.  St. Ultan’s progress to the quarter finals.

Reigning Fairyhouse Steel SFC and PR Coyne Football League Division 1 champions Summerhill come into this Round 3 encounter with Donaghmore/Ashbourne knowing that nothing other than a win will be enough to see them progress to the last eight. A draw or a defeat and they would be consigned to the relegation quarter finals.

Such a prospect is unpalatable around the south Meath club and they will be buoyed by the fact they defeated the ‘Moors in last years semi-final and also in the semi-final of this years League.  On the big day they have had the upper-hand on today’s opponents. Much will come down to whichever side can get on top in attack and it could be a concern to the ‘Hill that their half forward line struggled two weeks ago but there is little doubting the class of David Larkin, Diarmuid McCabe and Kevin Ryan.  If they catch fire then along with the inside line of the Frayne brothers, Conor and Eoghan, along with Barry Dardis then Summerhill can rack up a match winning tally against any side.

For Donaghmore/Ashbourne, Jamie Browne is named at midfield but could drift towards the half forward line and he chipped in with four points two weeks ago against Ballinabrackey.  He along with Bryan Menton and the McGovern twins, Darragh and Thomas, provide plenty of threat from deep and along with the inside line of James Crumlish, Dylan Brady and the exciting young talent Michael O’Sullivan there is no shortage of scoring options for Padraig Durkan and Shane Treanor’s side.

The other game in Group A sees the already qualified Dunshaughlin coming up against the already consigned to the relegation battle Ballinabrackey in Trim.  Ballinabrackey disappointed two weeks ago while Dunshaughlin had a statement win over Summerhill.  Will Ballinabrackey manage a confidence boosting win?

The picture is crystal clear in Group C of the Meade Farm Intermediate Football Championship with the already qualified Moynalvey and Oldcastle meeting in Simonstown at 18:00 and St. Patrick’s meeting Drumbaragh Emmets at the same time in Walterstown.  Both St. Patrick’s and Drumbaragh Emmets are consigned to the relegation dogfight with only the matter of seeding in Sunday’s draw at stake.  Over in Simonstown, the winner will top the group but if it’s a draw then Oldcastle by virtue of their seven point superior score difference will finish in first place.

The picture is also rather clear in Group B of the Balreask Bar, Restaurant and Guest Accomodation JFC as St. Vincent’s with a maximum four points to date are guaranteed to be in the last eight draw and anything other than a defeat to Dunderry will see them finish the day where they started it.  Dunderry are virtually assured of their spot in the quarter finals but there is a possibility they could lose out to Ballinlough.

The Keegan Cup winners of 1995 come into the final round with a score difference of +2 and Ballinlough have a score difference of -13.  Ballinlough would require a big win over neighbours St. Brigid’s and Dunderry a substantial defeat to St. Vincent’s if that score differential of fifteen points is to be overturned.  However, this is the Meath Junior Football Championship and anything is possible.  Dunderry and Ballinlough did of course draw 1-09 apiece in Round 2 fourteen days ago.

Moynalty are once more among the favourites for the Coolrite Junior B Football Championship and they face new kids on the block, Eastern Gaels this evening in Slane.  The bells of the Angelus will be ringing out as Bryan Smith throws in the ball in the picturesque venue and Moynalty know that while top seeding in the Championship is feasible, that it will be a stiff test to get it.  Their score difference at present is +7 and Carnaross who currently occupy the top seeding berth have a differential of +45 but their group campaign is already at an end.

To that end, a win by 39 points will be required for Moynalty who come into this evening’s game minus the services of ace attacker James Cassidy.  Is it possible? Time will tell.

The Fairyhouse Steel Senior Football Championship Group A Round 3 game between Summerhill and Donaghmore/Ashbourne will be streamed live by Clubber. Link to purchase the stream: Summerhill v Donaghmore/Ashbourne Live-Stream

25-08-24, JFC at Pairc Tailteann, Navan St Brigids v St Vincents David Gibney (Captain) (St Brigids) and Niall Tallon (St Vincents) Photo: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net

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

Fairyhouse Steel Senior Football Championship Group A

Dunshaughlin v Ballinabrackey

Summerhill v Donaghmore/Ashbourne

Meade Farm Intermediate Football Championship Group C Round 3

Moynalvey v Oldcastle

St. Patrick’s v Drumbaragh Emmets

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

Ballinlough v St. Brigid’s

Dunderry v St. Vincent’s

Coolrite Junior B Football Championship Group B Round 3

Eastern Gaels v Moynalty

The Meath Cleaning Supplies Premier Football Championship fixtures can be seen here: Meath Cleaning Supplies PFC Fixtures

Friday’s Results

Meade Farm Intermediate Football Championship Group B Round 3

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