Kilkerley Emmets’ Cormac Mallon and Seánie Crosbie of St Kevin’s will be in IFC action. Picture: Ken Finegan/Newspics
Championship fever grips Louth as four intriguing matchups kick off the intermediate football campaign.
Clan na Gael vs Sean O’Mahony’s
Saturday – 5pm – Dowdallshill
Robbie Curran delivered a kicking masterclass when these teams met in Haggardstown at this stage of last season’s championship but the sides would appear to be on differing curves this time around. O’Mahony’s have had a very encouraging campaign in Division 1 despite suffering from injuries and look well-placed to go close to a first Seamus Flood Cup title triumph in 10 years, whereas Clan na Gael have been labouring of late and while making the top six in Division 2, were nowhere nearly as impressive in doing so as they were 12 months ago. O’Mahony’s won’t want to lose another Dundalk derby in the championship and should have enough to prevail.
Verdict: Sean O’Mahony’s
Hunterstown Rovers vs Dundalk Young Irelands
Sunday – 3pm – Darver
Dundalk Young Irelands owe Hunterstown Rovers a beating having come out on the wrong side of several showdowns in recent years and this is possibly the best time for Eamonn Morgan’s men to be facing the Division 2 champions, who may be vulnerable after ending their more than 20-year exile from the top tier. Neither side are coming in without their injury concerns but if Young Irelands can get a grip of Ryan Burns and hinder his influence for Rovers, provided they are clinical from frees and capitalise upon counter-attacking opportunities, they could well pull off the shock of the opening round and boost their hopes of advancing.
Verdict: Hunterstown Rovers
Mattock Rangers vs Glyde Rangers
Sunday – 7pm – Ardee
These clubs met in the senior championship semi-final during the noughties and while they’re both a long way from those lofty heights these days, Glyde Rangers will come into this, their first intermediate fixture since 2016, with optimism having improved steadily since Collie Campbell took charge mid-season. Mattock lost their top-flight status after 19 seasons recently and didn’t really muster much of a fight during the split matches but against Division 3A opposition, they should have too much quality with Seán and Liam Flynn leading their attack. Glyde will need goals if they’re to cause an upset and the long ball in could yield them.
Verdict: Mattock Rangers
St Kevin’s vs Kilkerley Emmets
Saturday – 7:30pm – Darver
Kilkerley were convincing winners when these teams met in the league earlier in the term and given both sides have probably improved since that fixture, Emmets would once again be expected to come out on top. With Tadhg McEnaney, Micheál Begley, Fionn Cumiskey and Conor Quigley in the team, along with the Brady brothers, a few Bellews and other steady players, Ronan Greene’s side are bullish about their prospects of winning the championship. They should top the group but that will only really enter their heads if they can overcome St Kevin’s, who lost their opener last year to O Raghallaighs.
Verdict: Kilkerley Emmets
