There’s an action-packed weekend ahead in the LMFM Minor Football Championships with the Cup and Shield semi-finals in Divisions 2, 3 and 4 along with the penultimate round in Division 5 and the all-important final round in Division 1. 

It may be the semi-final weekend in the Senior, Intermediate and Junior Football Championships but some of the most keenly contested action will take place on the playing fields where these stars of the future will be battling it out to gain that vital win which can keep their season going. 

Division 1 is where most attention will probably be focussed and there are so many permutations as to what way the groups will pan out after walkovers being conceded in previous rounds by teams in both Groups 1A and 1B that trying to figure out what way the groups will end and who if anyone will have booked their safe passage to the semi-finals is less easy to predict than if Brexit will actually happen on October 31st or not. 

Division 1A Round 5

Skryne v Trim (Venue - Skryne. Throw in – 14:00):  A win or a draw for Skryne can secure them a semi-final place should St. Colmcilles defeat Ratoath in the other game in this group but they’ll find nothing easy against a Trim side for whom football is now going to get their total attention after the Hurling Championship concluded last weekend.

Few expected Skryne to head home from Ratoath two weeks ago with the victory but despite supposedly fielding a very weakened team, they did just that by the narrowest of margins. This win might just have sparked some fresh life into what appeared to be a flagging challenge and if it’s backed up with a win over Trim then who knows where this talented crew can end up.

Ciaran Caulfield who excelled at midfield for the hurlers in last weeks success will once more be a key player for Trim and if he comes up against Shane Smyth then this is a battle which should prove pivotal to the outcome. Trim might have the more balanced side but Skryne could well have a few more players with the x factor which should prove crucial. 

Verdict:  Skryne

St. Colmcilles v Ratoath (Venue – Piltown. Throw in – 14:00):  A repeat of the final round game from 2018 when a last gasp miss from a long range free which came back off the post saw Ratoath exit the Championship while St. Colmcilles ended up getting to the final.

St. Colmcilles know coming into this game that they’re guaranteed knockout football but whether or not their next game is a semi-final, or a potential playoff is entirely in their own hands. A win on Saturday and they’ll be safely through to the semi-finals, but a draw and it could be the dreaded playoffs.

No doubt still smarting from that loss to Skryne two weeks ago, Ratoath will head to the Royal County’s Gold Coast looking for a major performance. With their backs to the wall they’re well capable of producing the showing they require if they’re to remain in the Championship proper but it’s quite likely they’ll be anxiously awaiting word from Skryne at the final whistle to discover their destination for the next game. 

Verdict:  St. Colmcilles

Division 1B Round 5

Duleek-Bellewstown v Summerhill (Venue – Duleek. Throw in - 14:00):  First things first, will this game go ahead?  Duleek-Bellewstown conceded a walkover to Donaghmore/Ashbourne the last day and now that they’re definitively out of contention there must be a doubt as to whether or not Summerhill will be required to travel to fulfil this fixture. 

Seven points was a paltry score for Summerhill to register the last day against Simonstown and it would be a major surprise if their much-vaunted forward line fail to be much more efficient in front of goals on Saturday.

Duleek-Bellewstown are pointless after losses to Simonstown and Seneschalstown and it would constitute a shock of seismic proportions if they come away from this encounter with a win although when written off they’re a team who have shown in the past that they’re more than capable of pulling off surprise victories. 

Verdict:  Summerhill

Seneschalstown v Donaghmore/Ashbourne (Venue – Seneschalstown. Throw in – 14:00):  These two sides pulled off somewhat surprising victories when last in action in Round 3 as they came away from Duleek and Simonstown respectively with victories.  On the face of it the Donaghmore/Ashbourne win was the more impressive and they will make the short journey down the N2 in buoyant humour. 

Seneschalstown’s record against the ‘Moors isn’t the greatest and they will remember losing a home semi-final to the same opposition in the U-16 League 17 months ago.  If they can avenge this then they’ll likely still end up in the Shield while Donaghmore/Ashbourne know that they’ve more to play for as they still remain in with a chance of replicating Trim’s achievement in the hurling and doing a famous two in a row in the big ball code. 

Verdict:  Donaghmore/Ashbourne

Division 2 Cup Semi-Final

Dunshaughlin v Navan O’Mahonys (Venue – Dunshaughlin. Throw in – 14:00):  The premier knockout game of the weekend sees Dunshaughlin host Navan O’Mahonys with the prospect of a final against St. Peter’s Dunboyne at stake.  

Dunshaughlin have been in very impressive form to date, winning two games and receiving a walkover in the third and scoring more than twice as many points as they have conceded with forwards like John McDonagh showing great form.

Navan O’Mahonys on the other side of the draw came through in second place with a record of a win, a loss and receiving the points after St. Patrick’s conceded in Round 3.  Their form on the face of it doesn’t look as impressive as Dunshaughlin’s and the home side can advance to the final. 

Verdict:  Dunshaughlin

Division 2 Shield Semi-Finals

St. Vincent’s/Curraha v Kilmainhamwood (Venue – Ardcath. Throw in – 14:00):  This is a repeat of the Division 3 Spring League Final which saw St. Vincent’s/Curraha come out on top and they’re fancied to repeat the trick here once more. 

Verdict:  St. Vincent’s/Curraha

Drumconrath/Meath Hill v St. Patrick’s (Game awarded to Drumconrath/Meath Hill. St. Patrick’s conceded.)

Division 3 Cup Semi-Finals

Ballinabrackey v Bective/Dunsany (Venue – Ballinabrackey. Throw in – 14:00):  Along with their boots, gloves and gumshields, Bective/Dunsany will be packing the sat nav for their journey to Ballinabrackey on Saturday afternoon for this enticing semi-final.

They’ll need to be on top form if they’re to be returning home headed for the final but Ballinabrackey might just have too much firepower for them. 

Verdict:  Ballinabrackey

Wolfe Tones v Killary Emmets (Venue – Kilberry. Throw in – 11:00):  A tasty local derby to whet the appetite for a wonderful weekend of football is in store in Kilberry on Saturday morning as Wolfe Tones entertain the Castletown/Syddan combination. 

The Castletown contingent to form part of the make up of Killary Emmets might have to wait until the afternoon’s IFC semi-final in Páirc Tailteann before they see their team pick up a win though.

Verdict – Wolfe Tones

Division 3 Shield Semi-Finals

Moynalty/Carnaross v Walterstown (Venue – Moynalty. Throw in - 14:00):  The combined forces of Moynalty and Carnaross could have too much strength in depth for Walterstown. 

Verdict:  Moynalty/Carnaross

St. Michael’s/Nobber v Longwood/Clonard (Venue – Carlanstown. Throw in – 11:30):  There’s a proud record of St. Michael’s/Nobber doing well at the Minor grade in recent times and they can book themselves another chance of winning a trophy here. 

Verdict:  St. Michael’s/Nobber

Division 4 Cup Semi-Finals

Ballinlough v Slane/St. Mary’s (Venue – Ballinlough. Throw in – 14:00):  Ballinlough have been flying in recent months and there appears to be great work going on at juvenile level in the club. They can make home advantage count here. 

Verdict:  Ballinlough

St. Colmcilles (B) v Dunderry (Venue – Seafield. Throw in – 14:00):  Dunderry face a trip to the seaside here but there’ll be no time to enjoy their surroundings as they face a stiff task against the ‘Cilles. 

If their defence can stand tall against wave after wave of attack from the ‘Cilles forwards, then Dunderry might be able to sail away with the win. That’s unlikely though as the home side can torpedo their Championship ambitions. 

Verdict:  St. Colmcilles (B)

Division 4 Shield Semi-Finals

Gaeil Colmcille v Na Fianna (Venue – Grangegodden. Throw in – 14:00):  Gaeil Colmcille will be disappointed to find themselves in the Shield end of the competition but they can book their final spot with a win over Na Fianna. 

Verdict:  Gaeil Colmcille

St. Peter’s Dunboyne (B) v Clann na nGael/Ballivor (Venue – Dunboyne. Throw in – 13:00):  There’s always at least one surprise result in each round of the Minor Championship and Clann na nGael/Ballivor can spring one here. 

Verdict:  Clann na nGael/Ballivor

Division 5 Round 5

Blackhall Gaels v Rathkenny (Venue – Kilcloon. Throw in – 14:00):  Rathkenny have two wins from two games while Blackhall Gaels are yet to pick up a point. On form it’s difficult to look past Rathkenny. 

Verdict:  Rathkenny

Oldcastle v Inny Gaels (Inny Gaels conceded a walkover. Points to Oldcastle)

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