Na Magha hurlers to take on Kevin Lynch's in final round of group games
The top teams in each section advance to the senior championship semi-finals, where the losers then advancing to the intermediate final
Reigning champions Slaughtneil and Kevin Lynch’s are odds on to book their places in the semi-finals ahead of the final round of group games this weekend.
Should Lavey cause an upset at Emmet Park, the result of Na Magha’s visit to Kevin Lynch Park would then come into play.
The top teams in each section advance to the senior championship semi-finals, where the losers then advancing to the intermediate final.
The bottom two teams in each group will then drop into the junior hurling semi-finals.
Should two teams finish level on points, placing will be decided by virtue of head-to-head. If three teams end up on the same number of points, then placings will be defined from the games involving the teams level on points. It would effectively become a mini-league.
All four games will take place on Sunday at 2.00pm.
Group A
Kevin Lynch’s v Na Magha
Despite Stevie O’Neill’s late goal, Kevin Lynch’s came up short against Slaughtneil but can build on the performance.
Their minors recently won a first title since 2018 to give a boost of what could be available in the coming years.
Corey O’Reilly had a fine game at midfield against the Emmet’s and they should be able to call on Paddy Kelly from the start.
Na Magha led Lavey early on but were pegged back in the final quarter and it will also give them something to take into Sunday’s game.
Michael Lynch was their key man in midfield with goalkeeper Alan Grant’s puck-outs putting them on the front foot.
This will be a much tougher test and Davy McCloskey’s side should prevail on their own patch.
Slaughtneil v Lavey
The Emmet’s have had both hands on the Fr Collins Cup since 2012 and have been one of the forces in hurling across Ulster for a decade.
They will have regrets from not booking an All-Ireland final spot last season but are back on their incremental journey.
With two wins from two, they will be favourites this weekend and have plenty to get their teeth into after failing to keep their foot down in the win over Kevin Lynch’s.
Ruairí Ó Mianáin and Shane McGuigan are their driving forces in the middle third with Cormac O’Doherty, Shea Cassidy and Brendan Rogers dangerous up front.
They’ve a core of their winning minor teams coming into the team this season to compliment what was there.
Rian Collins, Ryan McGill and Ryan Mulholland are excellent hurlers but there up against the standard bearers this weekend.
Group B
Banagher v Ballinascreen
This is the game of the weekend and could set the calculators into action. A Banagher win and Swatragh would take this group to a three-way tie with an expected victory against Eoghan Rua.
Ballinascreen were wasteful against Swatragh before three points from substitute Ciaran McBride pulled them back into the game.
A late Fintan McGurk looked to have scuppered the ‘Screen plans until two late Reece McSorley goals turned the table.
Banagher needed a dominant third quarter to see off Eoghan Rua but in Callum O’Kane, Ruairí Biggs, Darragh Cartin and Shane Farren they’ve options.
There won’t be much in it at Fr McNally Park where home advantage could come into play.
Swatragh v Eoghan Rua
Swatragh can think of all the permutations they want, but there is only one thing that matters – they need to win.
Now for the ifs. Should they lose, there is an outside chance of making the semi-finals with Banagher having a 13-point head start on them on score difference before a ball is picked. A Swatragh win and score difference comes into play between themselves Banagher and Ballinascreen.
Back to the Swatragh win, that has to be their focus and getting back to the level of consistency that has stood to them in recent seasons.
Eoghan Rua made life difficult for Banagher until a 22-minute scoreless spell left them in trouble.
It’s a tall order, but should the Eoghan Rua and Banagher win, Eoghan Rua would need to win by at least nine points to make the semi-finals.
A lot of ifs. Sunday will tell the tale but Swatragh are red hot favourites to win on the day.
TOP SCORERS:- Shéa Cassidy (Slaughtneil) 0-21, Paul Cleary (Ballinascreen) 0-17, Richie Mullan (Kevin Lynch's) 1-13, Cormac O'Doherty (Slaughtneil) 0-15, Ruairi Biggs (Banagher) 1-8, Reece McSorley (Ballinascreen) 3-0, Shane Farren (Banagher) 0-9, Callum O'Kane (Banagher) 0-9, Rian Collins (Lavey) 1-5.