Lots to play for but Sash v Maynooth the stand-out in huge Kildare football weekend

A weekend that could well break the hearts of some, restore the hopes of others while seeing a few more hanging-in.

Yes indeed, we have reached Round 3 of the Joe Mallon Motors SFC and while favourites Naas remain firmly the short-priced side to make it three-on-the-trot, results have seen some tighten in while others have drifted in price considerably.

Naas are in to 4/6 while Celbridge are now in to second favourites at 9/2, Athy are quoted at 13/2 while the big drifters are Sarsfields who are now quoted at no less than 10/1 (at the time of going to press).

The rest of the runners vary from 11/1 Clane all the way out to Confey at 300/1.

The final round games are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, group games being played at the same time while Rule 6.21 which dictates the rules and regulations if teams finish level on points has come in for major scrutiny of late (see panel for details).

SFC GROUP A

Celbridge and Clane are tops on four points each with Carbury and Clogherinkoe on zero points and with the top two already guaranteed places in the quarter-final the game between Carbury and Clogherinkoe, a local derby, will be very interesting one indeed.

Celbridge are expected to defeat Clane while the vote of the pre-quarter-final third spot goes to Clogherinkoe — that provided Jack Robinson is fit to start, the flying forward was forced off late on in their last game against Clane.

SFC GROUP B

Dubbed the 'Group of Death' few expected Maynooth to defeat Athy and with Sarsfields on zero points it makes the meeting of The Sash and Maynooth a real mouth-watering one.

Naas are on top with four points and now take on Athy, no doubt Athy will be gunning to hit back after their big set-back against Maynooth but I expect the champs to march on regardless.

Sarsfields must win and win well if they are to retain interest and taken that Naas will defeat Athy (not a given in fairness) and Sarsfields defeat Maynooth, it will leave three teams on two points and that is where Rule 6.21 kicks into play.

If that is the way it finishes score difference comes into play but games that Naas were involved will be discarded so as it stands Sarsfields would have to defeat Maynooth by seven points to gain third spot.

Of course if Athy were to beat Naas that would mean that who ever wins between Maynooth and Sarsfields would make it to the pre-quarter final.

Naas and Sarsfields I expect to win leaving The Sash needing to defeat Maynooth by seven — a big ask — but not impossible by any means but a big ask. However if Maynooth can reproduce the form that saw them defeat Athy, they will be in with a big, big chance.

SFC GROUP C

Looks a weak group with Raheens on four points, after finding the net late-on in both their games against St Laurence's and Eadestown.

St Laurence's and Confey are on a point each, both looking like real relegation material.

Raheens take on Confey in Round 3 and they (Raheens) are already guaranteed a quarter-final spot, regardless how they fare against Confey, but they should make it three wins from three.

The clash of St Laurence's and Eadestown will a very interesting one as well but what we have seen to date, expect Dessie Brennan's lads to prevail and advance to the pre-quarter finals.

SFC GROUP D

Johnstownbridge and Moorefield have won both their games and are tied on four points each, The Bridge topping at the minute on scoring difference; both are guaranteed to advance to the knock-out stages.

Another one of those games that could go either way, neither have set the place alight up to now; could be a tight one and I wouldn't rule out a draw on this one, which, of course, would put The Bridge into the quarter final and The Moores into the pre-quarter-final.

Kilcock and Ballyteague will be fighting it out to see who can avoid a relegation dog-fight.

Jimmy Hyland could be the difference here, if the county man is fit The Larks should retain their senior status for a second year but if Jimmy is still out with that hamstring the odds certainly favour Kilcock who have been somewhat unfortunate to have no points at this stage.

INTERMEDIATE

Meanwhile The Auld Shebeen Athy IFC has proved, once again to be a very difficult championship to decide on with a number of teams have high hopes of going all the way to the final and indeed taking the title.

IFC GROUP A

Castledermot on top with three points; Sallins and Allenwood on two with, Leixlip, many people's favourites to go all the way, on a single point.

Castledermot take on Allenwood in Round 3 and with Johnny Doyle ruled out of the Allenwood side having picked up a straight red against Sallins, his absence might just sway it Castledermot's way.

Leixlip and Sallins is a big one for both clubs and with three of the four assured of progressing to the knock-out this is a huge game.

Sallins did well against Allenwood in Round 2, a young side, they have some very exciting players and they get the vote to take it on the day.

IFC GROUP B

Caragh are tops here with two from two and they take on bottom side Rathangan in Round 3 and are given the firm vote to make it three from three.

Round Towers and Kevin's are both on two and with three to progress another vital game.

Difficult one to decide but possibly Towers might just squeeze past Kevin's both making in to the knock-out stages.

IFC GROUP C

Two Mile House are tops here with four points, having beaten Nurney and Straffan and should have too much for relegation threatened Ellistown.

Straffan and Nurney will be a tight one but Straffan should have enough to progress to the pre-quarter final.

IFC GROUP D

A tight group with Monasterevan on four; Ballymore on two, Kilcullen and Suncroft on a point each.

In this Round 3 clash the top play the bottom with Monasterevan getting the nod; while in the Kilcullen v Ballymore, little between them but possibly Ballymore may just get through.