After the opening round of the SFC, there’s plenty to play for in the second round this coming weekend.
Group A
Maghery v Killeavy – Sun 27 Aug – 2.30pm
After an impressive opening round win over Dromintee, spirits will be high in the Killeavy camp this weekend.
Ciaron O’Hanlon made a superb return to championship action. County teammates Conor O’Neill and Shea Magill also impressed.
Killeavy’s midfield pairing of Cathal Boylan and Callum O’Hare are among the best in the county.
Maghery will hope to give a better account of themselves on Sunday following last weekend’s defeat.
Ben Crealey is a massive miss for Eamon Robinson’s side but could return before the final group game.
Maghery will once again look to the Forker’s, Stefan and Aidan along with Ciaran Higgins to lead the charge.
Ballymacnab v Dromintee – Sun 27 Aug – 2.30pm
Goals win games and that was the case for Ballymacnab against Maghery in the opening round.
Oisin McGivern and Ryan Watters raised green flags either side of the half time interval to give them a six-point win.
The return of Jack Grugan has boosted the Nabs attacking options. He’ll like be in from the start ahead of the suspended Paul Meegan.
Dromintee showed well in the first half against Killeavy, but it was the third quarter that really let them down.
They still have enough attacking talent on the field to cause problems and Niall Courtney is back among the scores.
Aaron McKay is the leader and the back, and he’ll likely be tasked with the job of marshalling Rory Grugan.
Group B
Grange v Clann Eireann – Sat 26 Aug – 4pm
Clann Eireann boosted their championship credentials last Sunday with a 15-point win over St Peter’s.
Conor Turbitt was in excellent form, recording 0-10, but Clann Eireann have quality all over the field.
Tiernan Kelly, Barry McCambridge, Conor McConville, Ryan Henderson and Sean McCarthy are all key men.
There are a lot of fires for Grange to put out, but having home advantage could really be a leveller here.
Chris Rafferty’s side battled brilliantly well against Granemore, but just came up short, by two, in the end.
They have a forward line that can do damage though. Justin Kieran, Ben Toal and Miceal McKenna are all match winners.
Granemore v St Peter’s – Sat 26 Aug – 4pm
How St Peter’s react to that opening day defeat to neighbours Clann Eireann could determine how this one pans out.
Frank Fitzsimons side will have been hugely disappointed with their performance. But the joy of the group stage is they get another chance immediately.
Keeping the score down will be the obvious tactic, but they’ll also look to Niall McConville and Barry Creaney had the other end.
Granemore are notoriously difficult to beat on home turf and they’ll hope to make that count on Saturday evening.
Two goals from half backs Ryan Rafferty and Karl McQuaid the last day out were the main scores against Grange.
Granemore are without their former county panellist Ross Finn, but still have plenty of experience to rely on.
Group C
Armagh Harps v Silverbridge – Fri 25 Aug – 7pm
Silverbridge will have been disappointed with their display in the opening round, losing to Madden by five.
The Division 1B league champions didn’t score in the first half and faced an uphill battle after the turnaround.
Colm Nally’s side have the chance to bounce back this weekend as they take on the Harps in Abbey Park.
The 2017 championship winners will be buoyed by their opening day victory over Shane O’Neill’s last weekend.
They did so without Tom O’Kane, but Ryan McShane and Martin McCoy put in good shifts for the Harps.
A win here on home soil will leave the Harps one step closer to the knockout stages and they’re the favourites to do so.
Shane O’Neill’s v Madden – Sat 26 Aug – 5.30pm
Shane O’Neill’s had no Ciaran Mackin last weekend against Armagh Harps, which is a huge gap to fill.
They still have Connaire Mackin and Greg McCabe to call on and their experience could be key this weekend.
Shane’s simply didn’t score enough in the opening round, and they’ll look to rectify that on Saturday evening.
Madden remain without Niall Grimley and Peter Lappin, but still had enough quality to see off Silverbridge.
Aron McKenna top scored with 1-2 while Conor Grimley, Darragh McMullen and Joe Sheridan all worked hard.
Donal Rafferty and Niall Smith were real driving forces from the back and will take watching this weekend.
Group D
Mullaghbawn v Clan na Gael – Sun 27 Aug – 1pm
Clan na Gael produced the main talking point of the opening round, stealing a draw at the death against Crossmaglen.
Shane McPartlan fittingly fisted home the final goal and top scored for the Clans with 1-7 on the night.
Callum O’Neill was another star performer, while Stefan Campbell is a serious operator for the Clans.
Mullaghbawn will be disappointed with home last week went, having led by six-points at the half time break.
Declan Loye should make a return to action this weekend, having been suspended for the opening round.
Home advantage could be key here and Mullaghbawn will be keen to pick up maximum points to open their championship account.
Sarsfields v Crossmaglen – Sun 27 Aug – 6pm
Crossmaglen have historically struggled when traveling to Sarsfields and that may be in the back of their minds.
Last year’s championship winners will feel that they should have claimed maximum points in round one and will be eager to get a first win.
Oisin O’Neill is a huge addition to the Rangers, while Rico Kelly also featured for Anthony Cunningham’s men.
Sarsfields came from eight down at one stage to beat Mullaghbawn by two and will carry that momentum into Sunday.
Paul McGeown’s scoring talents helped get them over the line as he recorded 0-6 from full forward.
Eamon McGeown ruled the skies in round one, while Callum McGibbon and Niall Kerr had fine displays.
