Ballybay, Castleblayney, Magheracloone and Truagh are all drinking in the last chance saloon as they battle it out in these 2 qualifier games to decide which of them will join Clontibret and Scotstown in the semi finals.

1st up is Castleblayney and Magheracloone when they meet in Inniskeen on Friday evening at 8:15 PM as they returned to the scene of their last action last weekend when Castleblayney lost to Clontibret by 2 points after extra time in an absolutely cracking contest, the same double header, seeing Magheracloone dismiss Carrickmacross from the championship, a single point separating them at the end of a real cliff hanger as the Mitchells got their prospects back on track after losing to Ballybay in their previous outing. Castleblayney showed all their traditional championship battling qualities in their game against Clontibret and looking back, they will know they were in a position on a couple of occasions, to push on for victory in that match but failed to convert vital chances in a game where chances were at a premium and that will add further impetus to their efforts this time around. Magheracloone for their part have shown similar qualities as they recovered from their defeat by Ballybay back on August 26th to finish strongly last Saturday in Inniskeen to get over the challenge of Carrickmacross. Michael Metzger who wasn't available for the game against Ballybay returned to good effect last Saturday and his 2 points late on helped turn the tide and he is one that Castleblayney will have to be aware of and the threat that he poses. Castleblayney will rely on Dermot Malone and Martin McElroy for scores, while Magheracloone have potential match winners in the likes of Paudie McMahon, Allan Kieran, Liam Og Murray and Alan McCahey, but they will have to be at their best to contain a resurgent Castleblayney.

The 2nd qualifier game takes place on Saturday evening in Emyvale at 7:30 PM between Ballybay and Truagh, Ballybay in this one following their defeat by Scotstown last weekend after their initial opening round victory over Magheracloone. Ballybay no doubt left Clontibret last Sunday evening in the full knowledge that it was a game they could have and indeed probably should have won, but they didn't capitalise on chances at the vital time, and were left to pay the price. Truagh for their part battled to victory in a tough, no holds barred contest against Inniskeen and it will take all those qualities this time around again, if they are to get over the challenge of Ballybay. The Ballybay defence, marshalled by the Wylie brothers, Brent, Drew and Ryan, along with Colum Lennon will not afford the Truagh attack much time or space while Ciaran Galligan and Thomas Kerr can give them a foothold in midfield to keep the supply going in to the McGuinness siblings, Dessie Ward and Paul Finlay, who all have the finishing ability to seal this
issue. For Truagh it will be a matter of looking for an improvement on their scoring return from last time out, as only 2 of their 6 starting forwards got on the score sheet, Adam Treanor top scoring with 4 points but a similar return, this time around will not be sufficient.
 

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