Although we've still the All Ireland final to come I'm sure that club championship action is in full swing in most counties with others such as our own here in Donegal due to commence in a couple of weeks. How are things shaping up across the country?

In Donegal, Kilcar wrapped up the Division 1 league title quite comfortably. They look to be in rude form heading into the Championship. They'll have Paddy McBrearty and the two McHughs (Ryan and Eoghan) to welcome back as well.

Champions Gaoth Dobhair have suffered a few defeats in the league. But they were missing their county men for a fair chunk and were blooding in some new players. In their last two league fixtures it was ominous to see them dish out two wallopings to Glenswilly and Bundoran. So they look to be timing their bid to retain their crown well.

Beyond those two it's hard to see a bolter emerging to upset the odds. Glenties and Eunans are strong but not on the aforementioned's level I don't think.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9116 - 14/08/2019 11:45:20    2225471

Throw a dice in Tyrone - League as it stands
Coalisland - Reigning champions, welcome back Hampsey and McKernan. Play Ardboe. Winners play Kilyclogher or Donaghmore
Dromore - Consistent performers, good squad potentials there to win it. Play Trillick. Winners play Moy or Clonoe
Dungannon - No starred players missing throughout the season, young team and winning 7/9 games only team that got promoted last year to be outside of relegation zone. Play Omagh. Winners play Errigal or Eglish
Errigal Ciaran - Normally run away with league. Not so much this year and always fall short in Championship. Ability is definately there just needs to be applied. Play Eglish should be walkover. Play Omagh or Dgn
Trillick - Brennan's and Donnelly's pose massive threats capable of beating anyone. (See Dromore)
Clonoe - Another team that will always pose a threat. Lost McAliskey last year during the first round and suffered narrow defeat. Play Moy winners play Dromore or Trillick

With top teams drawn against each other like Trillick v Dromore and Coalisland v Ardboe left a few bottom teams drawing each other. 2 out of the bottom 3 play each other in Edendork v Tattyreagh and 2 other teams whom i dont see winning it Derrylaughan v Carrickmore who will then play off against each other will guarentee one of them 4 in the semis.

My pick for top 4. Dromore, Errigal, Carrickmore, Coalisland

Find_the_space (Tyrone) - Posts: 313 - 14/08/2019 12:23:56    2225495

Cavan SFC is through its second round of group games and its wide open with only one team, Crosserlough after winning their first two games. They look the form bet at the moment but theirs a group of possibly 5-6 teams which could take this championship which is great to see.

westcavankid (Cavan) - Posts: 83 - 14/08/2019 12:29:44    2225498

In Antrim the Hurling leagues have been wrapped up and the Football is due to conclude this evening.

Dunloy retained their status of Hulring League Champions ending 4 points the better of Loughgiel in second place. Cushendall can finish third if they defeat St Johns at home this evening but any other result will have the Johnnies holding 3rd spot.
The Hurling Championship has already started with the group stages in the Senior underway following the preliminary round where Rossa defeated Ballycastle with quite a bit to spare. After the first two group matches (3 teams in each group) Dunloy beat Cushendall by point in Group 1 and Loughgiel beat St Johns by 6 in Group 2. Rossa and St Galls are the other two teams, one in each group. Top 2 in each group in to semi draw (can't draw same team from group).

In Football, Cargin have one hand one the league trophy and play second place Creggan away in the final game tonight. The only result which will deny them the crown is a 10 point or more defeat.
The Senior Championship starts this weekend with the Preliminary round. The first round follows with Cargin, St Galls, St Johns and Creggan joining the following round, the 1/4 final (these happen to be the 4 teams in the top 4 positions in the league). Cargin and St Galls can potentially meet in the semi final with St Johns and Creggan aiming to make the other semi.

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 14/08/2019 12:45:31    2225515

Leagues all finalised and Championships at the business end of things.

Hurling:
Senior - Semi Finals played as double header yesterday with St Johns and Cushendall having to do it all again after playing out a draw. Dunloy wait the winners or the replay after defeating Loughgiel by 3 points.
Intermediate - Carey Faughs to play Sambo managed St Endas in the final after semi final wins over Sarsfields and Glenariffe respectively.
Junior - looks to be an all city affair as St Pauls have already claimed their place with the other semi seeing Rasharkin and Gort na Mona play this Wed night. Should be a GNM win.

Football:
At the semi finals stage with the fixtures to be played over the coming weekend.
Senior - first semi between Casements Portglenone and Lamh Dhearg on Saturday with St Galls and Cargin meeting on Sunday. Could go either way but if was to stick neck out would go for a LD and Cargin final though could as easy be the other pairing.
Intermediate - Con Magees Glenravel play Moneyglass in first semi on Saturday with Aldergrove and St Pauls playing on Sunday. Two tight games with perhaps Moneyglass and Aldergrove shading it.
Junior - Lisburn v O'Donnells and Ballycastle v Ardoyne. Likely a Lisburn/Ardoyne final.

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 16/09/2019 09:55:42    2235947

Quarter final time in Gods country.

Crossmaglen Rangers vs Silverbridge - Verdict: Cross should have enough. Local derby game though.
St. Pats Cullyhanna vs Maghery - Verdict: Tight. I'll tip our neighbours Cullyhanna.
Ballymacnab vs Pearse Og - Verdict: Not sure here. 2nd and 3rd favourites. Might tip the Ogs.
Granemore vs Madden - Verdict: Granemore

Keep this thread updated from around the counties!!
Some of us have more interest in club football than county football.

Dessie_Cross (Armagh) - Posts: 142 - 19/09/2019 15:37:11    2237593

boman11 (Antrim) - Posts: 237 - 19/09/2019 16:09:07    2237605

boman11 (Antrim) - Posts: 237 - 19/09/2019 16:11:47    2237606

Monaghan Senior Football Championship

Penalty shoot-outs are the biggest talking points so far. The latest game to end level after extra time was Scotstown v Truagh last sunday. Scotstown prevailed 4-2 on penalties and Truagh are now into the back door which is now really a quarter final.

So as it stands now:
Scotstown are in one semi final and they await the winners of Ballybay v Carrickmacross.

Clontibret are in the other semi final and they will play the winners of Truagh v Latton.

Tim_NicebutDim (Monaghan) - Posts: 347 - 19/09/2019 16:13:05    2237607

boman11 (Antrim) - Posts: 237 - 19/09/2019 16:21:10    2237610

Tim_NicebutDim (Monaghan) - Posts: 347 - 19/09/2019 16:38:16    2237614

Football quarter-finals in Galway this weekend.
Corofin vs Mountbellew-Moylough: Last year's finalists. MM would expect to beat any of the other 6 teams left, but it's hard to see them winning this. They almost caught Corofin in the drawn final last year, but played a very negative style to do it. Corofin haven't been near top gear yet and cruised through the group, but I'd expect them to step up the level when needed.
Salthill-Knocknacarra vs Claregalway: Salthill topped their group unbeaten, but had a good few tight matches. Claregalway have been very strong underage for a number of years and the signs are showing now at adult level. Salthill in another tight game.
Moycullen vs St. Michael's: A look at the teamsheets would indicate a Moycullen win, but Michael's have proven to be very dogged this year. Moycullen have a number of county players and panellists from recent years, but have a few injury concerns and absences. I'd expect Moycullen to come through.
An Spidéal vs Tuam: Last year's intermediate champions who went on to win Connacht against a Tuam team who've been in excellent form this year. Tuam had a narrow loss to Corofin in the group, which is their only defeat this year. An Spidéal are missing their county player, but have improved and were very competitive in all of their group games. Tuam are expected to win this, but I wouldn't rule out a shock.

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2036 - 19/09/2019 18:37:55    2237646

Meath is down to 9 with last season's champions out in the group stage after picking up 5 points in 5 matches.

This weekend sees a preliminary quarter final before the quarterfinals proper next weekend.

3 relegation games will cut the field from 18 to 16 next season with only 1 team to come up.

Gael Colmcille and Simonstown feel like the teams to beat.

On their day any of the teams can cause a shock.

In Antrim it's hard to look past the winner of Cargin and St Galls.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4209 - 19/09/2019 20:38:05    2237672

Westmeath Senior Championship
Big weekend ahead as we are down to the last 4
St Lomans vs The Downs
Mullingar Shamrocks vs Garrycastle

St Lomans are odds on to beat the The Downs however The Downs looked strong in the Q/F and are managed by the great John O'Mahony.

Shamrocks/Garrycastle you will find it hard to find a better game this weekend two massive clubs who have a great history of delivering great games in knockout stages.

I expected St. Lomans vs Garrycastle Final

Temple56 (Westmeath) - Posts: 383 - 20/09/2019 09:31:27    2237758

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 20/09/2019 17:50:32    2237881

In Galway things are moving along nicely. I'd probably favor Corofin and St Thomas's to retain their crowns though it will be tough going for both. Corofin had some of their toughest matches in Galway last year in the football.

In Hurling it's a coin toss as usual. St Thomas's, Sarsfields, Cappataggle, Tourloughmore, look awesome and I know I'm leaving out some great teams so forgive me. Fintan Burke is a huge loss for St Thomas's but they seem fine without him. My dark horse for the County is probably Loughrea.

Portumna have been getting hammered by everyone so far. Gort looks average. Good matches to come in both codes...

Trump2020 (Galway) - Posts: 2113 - 21/09/2019 12:27:13    2238036

So after the weekend pretty much know the deciders across the board with the exception being the Senior Football semi between Casements Portglenone and Lamh Dhearg which, having enjoyed the replay so much in the previous round PG1 decided to convert a penalty with the last kick of the game and force another one.

Elsewhere, Cargin made light work of St Galls in the other Senior semi and await the winners of the replay. Moneyglass overcame Glenravel in the first Intermediate semi and a late burst from Aldergrove in the closing minutes seen them pip St Pauls in the other. In the Junior Lisburn and Ardoyne will contest the final.

In the hurling Cushendall beat St Johns in the Senior replay yesterday to set up a showdown with Dunloy in Ballycastle next Sunday. Match to be shown live on TG4. And GNM beat Rasharkin during the week and will now meet St Pauls in the Junior with Carey and St Endas playing in the Intermediate.

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 23/09/2019 14:49:20    2238549

Armagh Quarter final results
Crossmaglen (1-15) v (0-7) Silverbridge
Ballymacnab (2-12) v (0-10) Pearse Og
Granemore (0-11) v (0-10) Madden
Maghery (2-9) v (1-9) St Pats Cullyhanna

Semi finals
Ballymacnab vs Granemore
Crossmaglen vs Maghery

Verdict: Ballymacnab to make final for second year in a row. Cross to join them.

Dessie_Cross (Armagh) - Posts: 142 - 24/09/2019 15:09:27    2238796

Castlebar came back from 3 down at Ht to beat Knockmore by 2
Ballintubber had 4 points to spare over Belmullet who played without Eoin O'Donoghue
Ballaghaderreen had an easy enough run out versus Davitts
Ballina really upset the odds against Breaffy AET

Mayo club championship is really competitive this year

Castlebar 5/4
Ballintubber 2/1
Ballaghadereen 4/1
Ballina 5/1

boomerang (Mayo) - Posts: 49 - 24/09/2019 15:57:03    2238808

Kildare has been without much surprise, other than Naas' demise leading them to a relegation play-off, very soo matter winning div.1 of the league.
With the senior semi finals coming up it is all to play for and the teams left will all feel they have a chance. Moorefield were beaten by Sarsfields in the group stages and I'm not sure they have the 3 in a row in them.. for me it's Celbridge or Athy to win it out.
Intermediate will be won by Clougherinkoe, Monasterevin or Leixlip with the Cloughs my tip.
Junior final is this weekend and I'd imagine it's Ballymore's with a good bit to spare.

Sweetspot (Kildare) - Posts: 323 - 24/09/2019 17:31:05    2238828