Some exciting clashes down for decision in Intermediate quarters

The Auld Shebeen Athy Intermediate Football Championship quarter-finals begin on Friday with the opening game in Manguard Park, Hawkfield between Round Towers and Rathangan.

The Kildare town boys have been showing steady progress throughout this campaign, winning all their three group games against Kevin's Ballyteague and Castledermot and are now well placed to advance.

Their opponents on, Rathangan defeated Suncroft last weekend in the preliminary round quarters and playing just a week after that might be a bonus.

Towers, many folks choice to go all the way, will be backboned by the experienced Mark Watters, Mike Joyce, Dave O'Neill at no. 6 while father and son combination Jay and Jason O'Brien are playing very well at the moment.

Neil Scanlon certainly held his hand up for a start when firint over three points when introduced against Castledermot.

Rathangan were comfortably enough against Suncroft. Sam Savage had an excelllent game as had Muiris Curtin, the Teahan boys.

Could be a tight affair but it is the Round Towers boys who get the nod to advance on this occasion and make it to the semi-finals

Milltown v St Kevin's

The Milltown bandwagon rolls on after a brilliant season last term when they gained promotion they now find themselves just one game away from a place in the IFC semi-final, and they will fancy their chances of doing just that.

In the group games they had wins over Monasterevan, Nurney and Ballymore Eustace.

St Kevin's made it through with a win and a draw, the drawn game was the last day out against Ballyteague, a game that ended 1-13 apiece.

Milltown hit a very healthy 3-12 against Nurney with fine displays from Colin O'Shea, Colin Dignam, Cian Buckley and Ben Curran.

Kevin's have in keeper Aaron Fox a fine custodian; Conor Murray up front along with Jamie O'Brien and Tom Barron.

Expect Milltown to continue on their remarkable run and make it to the last four.

Leixlip v Ballyteague

Leixlip were one of the talking sides before this championship got under way and while they had a few dodgy displays in their group they emerged with three wins from three defeating Sallins, Rathangan and Straffan.

Ballyteague came through the preliminary route with a fine win over Monasterevan last weekend and as usual they will be looking to Jimmy Hyland to see them through.

Leixlip are more than a decent side however with the experienced Tommy Moolick partnered in the middle with Ronan Fitzsimons; Jack Barrett, Paddy Meagher and Eamonn Murphy while at the back Jack Quinn is more than a fair operator.

If Leixlip can hold Jimmy Hyland they should have enough to advance.

Caragh v Sallins

This one was originally fixed for Thursday night but is now on in Clane on Sunday with a 4 pm start.

Two more sides will be fancying their chances.

Operating in Group A Sallins defeated Rathcoffey and Straffan while Caragh topped Group D (losers' group) with wins over Two Mile House, Kilcullen and Suncroft.

Sallins have in the Dalton boys top players but they are not just relying on those to get them over the line.

Operated in Division 1 this year they more than held their own but they don't seem to be playing to the top of their game at the minute

Caragh had a fine win over Kilcullen in Round 3 of their group hitting 2-12 and in Darragh Swords, Ronan Doorey, Eoghan O'Haire and the experienced Dan Campbell players who can turn it on.

There can be no quibbling with Sallins' total of 4-13 against Straffan in their final group game and with Colm Dalton hitting an impressive 3-5 he will have to be watched.

A difficult one to call but Sallins can prevail as they attempt to keep their ambitions on track.