With the leagues out of the way now, attention swiftly turns towards the championship and the business end of the season.
The Junior Championship, as it has over the last few years, has the potential to be a really exciting campaign.
It all kicks off on Friday evening with four games being played across the weekend in the opening rounds.
Championship Favourites
Division 3A winners Derrynoose have been knocking on the door for a few years, last reaching the final in 2019.
The fact they’re already guaranteed Intermediate football next season is unlikely to dent their championship ambitions.
They’ve only tasted defeat twice this season so far, to Lissummon and Middletown, and will be one of the favourites for championship success.
Middletown finished second in the table, just missing out on a league title to Derrynoose on scoring difference.
They are one of the big hitters in the championship after dropping down from Division 2B last season.
Lissummon are another side that will be targeting a tilt at the Sean Quinn Cup following an eye-catching league campaign.
Seamus Loughran guided Dorsey to the last four in 2021 and has helped improved Lissummon’s fortunes this year.
Eire Og were in unbelievable form at the beginning of the league. The wheels seemed to come off and they fell out of the promotion chase.
The Craigavon men will still have a big say in how the championship pans out, however.
Contenders
Dorsey really brought the fight to Belleek in last year’s semi-final but couldn’t get over the line to reach the decider.
The Emmett’s league form can often be mixed. But once they hit championship season, they usually spring into action.
St Michael’s had a strong year in Division 3A, following their Division 3B success last season.
They put it up to Derrynoose in the first round last season and face the same opposition this year.
Killeavy IIs will be inspired following their Division 3B league success, while Thomas Davis will be looking to push on after their good league campaign.
Outsiders
O’Hanlon’s finished the year with zero wins but will believe they have a chance of championship victory when they meet An Port Mor in the first round.
The winners play Mullabrack, and it’s a huge opportunity for one of the three to reach the last four of the competition.
Clady face the much more difficult task of taking on Middletown in the opening round, who are one of the favourites for championship glory.
