Who will progress and who will bow out on day of reckoning?

After the thrills and spills of Friday night which saw two games go to extra-time and one of them go further to penalties, the action in the knockout stages of the Meath Club Football Championships continues on Saturday with two Fairyhouse Steel SFC Quarter-Finals taking centre stage in Páirc Tailteann this afternoon along with a lunchtime throw in for the Balreask Bar, Restaurant & Guest Accommodation JFC Quarter-Final in Rathkenny and the Meath Farm IFC Quarter-Final which will take place in Ballinlough under their floodlights this evening.

Tickets for the today’s game which are priced at €15 plus booking fee are available by clicking the link:  Meath GAA Club Championship Tickets

Note that the Fairyhouse Steel SFC double header in Páirc Tailteann is priced at €20 plus booking fee with a €5 refund on the gate with the relevant ID. 

There is a novel pairing for the first game on that Páirc Tailteann double bill at 15:00 when Skryne who are the longest serving Senior club in the county take on Ballinabrackey who are contesting their first ever last eight encounter at the top grade.

Skryne impressed in the group stages, winning all three of their games to top the group while the ‘Bracks lost out on the opening weekend before bouncing back with victories over St. Colmcille’s and Seneschalstown to book a safe passage through to this stage.

By weight of history, all the pressure from the neutrals will be on Skryne to progress but Ballinabrackey are a club who relish the status of being the underdog and will relish this opportunity to continue their journey.

Danny Quinn was one of their leading lights the last day but one of the key elements of their game play revolves around the ability of Dean Pluck to find his man from the kickout.  Pluck is blessed with a huge amount of self confidence but will be be able to plot a path around Harry Rooney and Daniel Fitzpatrick in the middle of the field for the Tara side?

John O’Regan has been a rock at the heart of the Skryne defence to date and much will depend on whether he and Niall Finnerty hit top form.  The other key question for Skryne is whether or not they start Shane Smyth who returned from injury a fortnight ago.

The second game is a mouthwatering local derby between Trim and Summerhill. Trim have been particularly eye-catching thus far, winning Division 2 of the League and coming out of the group stages with a 100% record. Summerhill by contrast stuttered through the group stages with one win from three games.

James Toher is named among the replacements for Trim but whether or not he is definitely out or not is shrouded in mystery but were he to miss out the centre backs absence would be a major blow as he has been in fine form.  That said, Conor Quigley would be a fine replacement in his own right.

There is likely to be a fascinating duel betweek Aaron Lynch and Ronan Ryan and should this come to pass then whoever comes out on top stands a more than reasonable chance of having a semi-final to look forward to.

Ballinlough have an outstanding grounds and they will play host to the meeting of a game between two North Meath sides in the last eight of the Meade Farm Intermediate Football Championship when Oldcastle and St. Michael’s meet at 19:30.

St. Michael’s weren’t fancied by too many to get this far but as a collective group there is plenty of Division 2 League experience in their ranks and they will be licking their lips at the prospect of taking down the more fancied Oldcastle.

Gearóid O’Malley is an exciting forward but he has plenty of support in the likes of Shane McDonnell and Declan Reilly and full back Brian O’Reilly is as good a back as there is in the grade.

Oldcastle have a man on the sideline in Joe Sheridan who knows what it takes to get to the big day at this grade and he will be looking for the likes of Dylan Garrigan, Jason Scully and Pearse Sheridan to hit top form.  There is also a healthy sprinling of youth in their ranks through the likes of the Crawley brothers and Thomas Sheridan.

They have flattered to deceive at times in the past but can Oldcastle take a giant step towards bringing the Mattie McDOnnell Cup back across the mountain?

The Balreask Bar, Restaurant & Guest Accommodation JFC Quarter-Final between St. Vincent’s and Moylagh takes place in Rathkenny and after a poor showing by their levels the last day, St. Vincent’s are on something of a redemption mission.

By contrast, Moylagh drew with pre-Championship favourites Clann na nGael on the last day of group action and this along with their win over their near neighbours St. Brigid’s leaves them in fine fettle.

Can the Vincent’s get back to winning ways or will it be a famous victory for Moylagh?

Fairyhouse Steel Senior Football Championship Quarter-Final

Skryne vs Ballinabrackey – Live on Clubber

Fairyhouse Steel Senior Football Championship Quarter-Final

Trim vs Summerhill – Live on Clubber

Meade Farm Intermediate Football Championship Quarter-Final

Oldcastle vs St. Michael’s

Balreask Bar, Restaurant & Guest Accommodation Junior Football Championship Quarter-Final

St. Vincent’s vs Moylagh