The Minor Football Championship gets underway tonight. Here are the predictions.

Division 1A

Simonstown Gaels v Navan O'Mahonys - In an intriguing Navan derby it is the youngsters from the Proudstown Road who are fancied to get the Championship up and running with a win. Having reached the final of the Patrick Ward Tournament recently they are in fine form and while O'Mahonys will welcome back Brian O'Hanlon, it's hard to look past the North Side Blues.

Trim v Seneschalstown - A clash of the winners of the Division 2 and 1 Spring Leagues respectively. Trim have been able to target this game from a long way out with having no representatives on the Minor Football side but Seneschalstown should still prove too strong by a couple of points with their mean defence likely to be key.

Division 1B

Donaghmore/Ashbourne v Ratoath - This could well be the tie of the opening round and a gripping encounter is expected in Ashbourne this evening. Donaghmore/Ashbourne were League semi-finalists while Ratoath narrowly failed to make the knockout stages in the spring. They perhaps had the tougher side of the draw though and are fancied to get off to a winning start here in what will be a difficult away assignment.

St Ultan's/Cortown Gaels/Round Towers (19:30) v St. Colmcilles - If Endy Ehichoya lines up at full forward in opposition to Harry O'Higgins then this battle could be worth heading to Cortown for in itself. The combination outfit will improve as the competition wears on but might just find the 'Cilles and David Bell in particular too hot to handle unless Cian McBride can dominate around the middle.

Division 2A

Dunderry v Dunshaughlin - Logic suggests the team coming down from Division 1 should win this encounter but Dunderry were impressive during the League and with Adam Kelly likely to lead the attack and Sean Brennan between the uprights they might just spring a mild surprise.

North Meath Gaels v Wolfe Tones - The team coming up from Division 3 against the seasoned Division 2 outfit. Home advantage could be crucial for the Gaels but there's every chance the spoils could be shared in Drumconrath.

Division 3A

Bective/Dunsany v Oldcastle - Will the jump from Division 5 in the League to Division 3 in the Championship prove too high a hurdle for Bective/Dunsany to handle? On the evidence of the League form, the answer is no but on this occasion they might just succumb to Oldcastle by a few points.

Ballinabrackey v Moynalty/Carnaross (Thursday August 16th 19:00) - A very close encounter is anticipated in Ballinabrackey on Thursday between two fine sides. Sean Coffey's battle with Bryan McCormack if they mark each other will be pivotal but this has all the hallmarks of a draw match.

Division 3B

Summerhill v St. Vincent's/Curraha - A game which is almost impossible to pick a winner in but if Conor Harford has come through Saturday's All Ireland MFC semi-final okay then his presence should help St. Vincent's/Curraha edge a tight match.

Killary Emmets v St. Oliver's - Killary Emmet's are up a Division from the League while St. Oliver's operated in Division 3 back in the early part of the year. Their greater experience in the higher division might just help them emerge from Castletown with the points.

St. Peter's Dunboyne v Bye

Division 4A

Na Fianna v Kilbride - Home comforts are likely to be crucial in this encounter with Na Fianna tipped to emerge with the 2 points safely secured.

Boardsmill v Ballivor - A local derby which is likely to be hotly contested but Boardsmill might just have the edge on their opponents.

St. Michael's/Nobber v Bye

Division 4B

Jenkinstown Gaels v Longwood/Clonard - Longwood/Clonard made the most of home advantage back in February to win the League encounter between these 2 sides by 2 points. Jenkinstown Gaels being at home in this game might just help them turn the tables.

St. Mary's/Slane v St. Patrick's - If St. Mary's/Slane have kicked on from the League then they're capable of springing a surprise here but it's hard to look past St. Patrick's.

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