Crunch time as teams look to guarantee JFC quarter-final spots at weekend
There are five matches down for decision this weekend in the Junior championship with several teams looking to progress out of their groups and guarantee knockout championship football
The Junior championship will continue into round 3 this weekend with five matches down for decision, with the Group B games set for Saturday, while the Group A matches will be played on Sunday.
In Group A, it’s a battle between second and third place with St Mary’s Convoy travelling to play Naomh Bríd. Neither team has lost a championship match yet this season, with the Ballintra men on four points after two games, while the Convoy side won their only match by 21 points, two weeks ago against Naomh Colmcille.
St Mary’s Convoy emerged eight-point winners against Naomh Bríd when these two sides met in the league back in April.
At the top of the table sits Division 3 winners Carndonagh, who will travel to fourth place Robert Emmets. Like Naomh Bríd, the Inishowen men are two from two and will hope to continue their good run of form against the Castlefin men who have yet to win a match.
If both Naomh Bríd and Carndonagh win this weekend they will be guaranteed at least a quarter-final spot in the championship but it will also leave for a tasty last round, with both sides set to battle it out in Round 4 with the winner topping the group and advancing to the semi-final.
The final game in the group sees Pettigo welcoming Naomh Colmcille, however, with zero points from two matches, it seems unlikely that either side will progress out of the group.
In Group B, Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin who are the only Division 2 side in the championship and one of the favourites for the title, are hoping to get back to winning ways following their heavy defeat to Naomh Ultan last weekend.
The Naomh Padraig club, who have two points after two games, travel to Lifford, who suffered an 11-point defeat against Naomh Ultan two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, the Dunkineely men who are undefeated in Group B on four points, travel to Moville with a win guaranteeing them at least a quarter-final spot.
Michael Murphy Sports & Leisure Junior A Group B
Saturday
Naomh Pádraig Lifford V Naomh Pádraig Muff, 7pm
Moville V Naomh Ultan, 7pm
Michael Murphy Sports & Leisure Junior A Group A
Sunday
Pettigo V Naomh Colmcille, 3pm
Robert Emmets V Carndonagh, 3pm
Naomh Bríd V St Mary’s Convoy, 3:30pm,