There are more important points up for grabs across Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the second round of the IFC.
Group A
Tullysaran v Belleek – Sat 26 Aug – 2pm
These two served up one of the Games of the Season last year in the IFC quarter-final at the Athletic Grounds.
Goals from Patrick Comiskey and Gavin Conlon edged the encounter for Tullysaran by the minimum of margins.
Belleek head into this game off the back of a 13-point trimming at the hands of St Patrick’s in round one.
The midfield pairing of Callum O’Neill and Stephen Finnegan battled hard and they will be keen to bounce back.
Tullysaran opened their account with a six-point win away to Belleek and have home advantage on Friday.
Gavin Conlon, Eddie Mallon and Mark McKeever, as usual, done the majority of the scoring for Tullysaran.
Middletown v St Patrick’s – Sat 26 Aug- 5.30pm
St Patrick’s already have one huge win under their belts, and they could be eyeing up another on Saturday evening.
Middletown have been relegated to Division 3A for next season, while Cullyhanna finished second in 2A.
Jason Duffy, Shea Hoey and Aidan Nugent were all the main scorers for St Pat’s last weekend against Belleek.
They have a range of different talents in their ranks and could prove once again much too strong for the opposition.
Middletown will be encouraged by their second half display against Tullysaran in the opening round, however.
They actually outscored their visitors in the second half last week and that will give them confidence.
Group B
Whitecross v Pearse Og – Sat 26 Aug – 7pm
Despite losing by nine-points to Tir na nOg last weekend, Whitecross didn’t play too badly for 40 minutes.
Mark Shields is back in the fold having been out injured for a long period and that’s a massive boost.
Neil McSherry should also come back into the team having served his one-game suspension, and he’ll add a bit of experience.
The Ogs head to Whitecross full of confidence having dealt with Annaghmore on the opening day.
Vincy Brady’s second half goal was the game-defining score as three points separated the sides in the end.
Anto Duffy is still doing the business for Gareth Thornton’s side, while Ruairi Duffy is another scoring threat.
Tir na nOg v Annaghmore – Sun 27 Aug – 1pm
Oisin Conaty caught the eye for his performance last week as he scored 2-4 against Whitecross, 2-3 from play.
Oran Power made a good impact off the bench, nailing 1-1, and could be in with a shout of a starting place.
Tir na nOg showed their goalscoring ability last weekend and they’ll hope to carry that form into Sunday.
Annaghmore will have been disappointed not to got something against the Ogs in the opening round.
Oisin MacIomhair remains a handful at full forward, and he top scored for his side with 0-6 on the night.
Connor Cullen is another accurate attacker and Annaghmore will have enough firepower to cause their hosts problems.
Group C
Wolfe Tones v Keady – Fri 25 Aug – 7pm
Keady came away happy from round one having earned a hard-fought draw with the Division 1A winners.
The Division 2B championship pulled off a dramatic comeback, scoring 1-4 in the final ten minutes.
James O’Hara top scored with 0-7 while James King and Tomas Galvin also chipped in with important scores.
Wolfe Tones began their campaign with a victory, seeing off Cross IIs with four to spare in the end.
They’re back on home turf this weekend and have a chance to extend their lead at the top of the group.
Jamie Haughey was the main scorer for Peter Nugent’s men in round one and score 1-3. Caolan Skelton, our one to watch, also rattled the net.
Cross II v Culloville – Sun 27 Aug- 1pm
Division 2A league champions Culloville will be keen to get a win on the point following last week’s draw.
Ryan Garvey, Fergal Kieran and Shane Carragher all hit the net in round one as they finished level with Keady.
The Blues are one of the favourites for the IFC title and will be expected to pick up maximum points here.
But their neighbours Crossmaglen won’t make that easy for them of course and they are in need of the points themselves.
They’ll be without Rico Kelly, who’s involved with the senior side rules him out of action for the rest of the campaign.
Johnny Murtagh is their main man up top, and he chipped in with 0-3 last weekend in their loss to the Tones.
Group D
Forkhill v St Paul’s – Sat 26 Aug – 4pm
Forkhill lost to Carrickcruppen in the opening round, although they should have Stephen Sheridan back in the fold this week.
Jemar Hall is of course the main scorer getter up top, along with Cormac Toner and they’ll take some watching.
Forkhill, who were relegated from Division 2B, will be keen to put on a good showing on their own patch.
St Paul’s remain among the favourites for the IFC and done their credentials no harm in the first round.
They saw off Derrynoose comfortably enough, with star man Andrew Murnin nailing 1-2 for his side.
Ronan Clarke’s men should see Peadar Nash return to the fold having served his one-match suspension.
Carrickcruppen v Derrynoose – Sun 27 Aug – 3pm
Eoin Woods was in top form last week for Barry Flynn’s side and recorded a personal haul of 1-5 against Forkhill.
Carrickcruppen will enjoy the comforts of home advantage this time around as they welcome Derrynoose to Camlough.
The 2021 IFC winners are among the top contenders and will be eyeing up that top spot in Group D.
Derrynoose were without 2022 Club All-Star Davy McCreesh in round one with a hamstring injury.
Stevie Keenan is another player currently on the treatment table while Mark Lennon was red carded against St Paul’s.
Last years Junior champions held their own in Division 2B and will be keen to put in a competitive display.
