There are a number of hugely important points up for grabs this weekend in the third and final round of the IFC.
Group A
St Patrick’s v Tullysaran – Sun 3 Sept – 1.30pm
St Patrick’s have been the standout team so far in the IFC having put together two big back-to-back victories.
Armagh joint-captain has been leading the charge up front, while Pearse Casey is the main man around the middle.
Cullyhanna offer attacking threats from all over the field and have conceded just 1-13 in their two games.
Tullysaran suffered a setback last weekend when they lost out to Belleek, at home, by three-points.
But they can still take top spot if things go their way this weekend and they must beat Cullyhanna to make that happen.
Mark McKeever have been in fine form up front, hitting 0-13 so far and Tullysaran have only conceded one goal.
Belleek v Middletown – Sun 3 Sept – 1.30pm
If Middletown can get their first win of the campaign on Sunday, they’ll stand a good chance of remaining in the IFC.
If they lose however, then Middletown, who were relegated to Division 3A of the league, will crash out.
They’ve battled hard in their previous two encounters, but it just hasn’t been enough to earn them a point yet.
Belleek bounced back from a 13-point defeat to Cullyhanna to overcome Tullysaran in the second round.
Mark McParland is a real dangerman at full forward, ably assisted by Sean McCreesh and Drew McVerry.
They have a powerful midfield pairing of Callum O’Neill and Stephen Finnegan, who have been impressive in the championship so far.
Group B
Pearse Og v Tir na nOg – Sat 2 Sept – 4.15pm
It’s winner takes all in Pearse Og Park on Saturday afternoon as both Pearse Og and Tir na nOg aim for top spot.
The two sides have experienced good wins over Annaghmore and Whitecross. That leaves them one win away from the last eight.
Vincy Brady was the main man for the Ogs in round one, but last week, Paul, Anto and Ruairi Duffy were the top scorers.
Paul and Anto Duffy add a huge amount of experience to the fold and still have that bit of class as well.
Oisin Conaty may not have got on the scoresheet against Annaghmore last week, but he’s still the main man.
Marc Davidson and Leo Monteiro stepped up last weekend and both hit the net in their 2-7 to 1-9 victory.
Annaghmore v Whitecross – Sat 2 Sept – 4.15pm
Oisin MacIomhair is still carrying the can for Annaghmore having scored 0-10 of their 1-20 so far in the championship.
Former Armagh goalkeeper Matthew McNiece rattled the net in round two as they lost to Tir na nOg by one.
Home advantage could prove crucial here and Annaghmore will be confident of picking up the two points.
Whitecross will have something to say about that however, although they’ll be without star man Mark Shields.
They’ve had a nice range of different scorers over the last two weekends, but only recorded 0-6 in round two.
Whitecross will have to offer a bigger scoring threat if they’re going to upset the odds and remain in the IFC.
Group C
Culloville v Wolfe Tones – Sat 2 Sept – 6.15pm
Culloville’s chances of claiming IFC gold were dealt a huge blow last weekend when midfielder Ryan Garvey picked up a nasty injury.
It will most likely see him sidelined for the rest of the campaign. But on a brighter note, Colm Watters retuned in their win over Cross IIs.
Dara Quinn was the star man up front for the Blues, and he recorded a personal tally of 0-10 in their win.
Wolfe Tones are level on points with Culloville after the two opening rounds, having drawn one and won one.
They were ahead by two late on against Keady but couldn’t hold onto that advantage and ended the game level.
Jamie Haughey has hit 1-8 in their two games for far while they had nine different scorers in two games.
Keady v Cross II – Sat 2 Sept – 6.15pm
Keady have drawn their last two encounters against Culloville and Wolfe Tones, with James O’Hara the hero on both occasions.
O’Hara has scored 1-12 in two games, making him the top scorer in the IFC after the first two rounds.
As long as Keady don’t lose on Saturday, they’ll remain in the championship. But they’ll finish bottom of the group if they taste defeat.
Similarly, Cross IIs need to win to reach the playoffs and anything else will see them exit at the first hurdle.
They put up a really good fight against Culloville last weekend in round two, but it wasn’t enough in the end.
Eoin Keenan and Shane McConville hit the net in round two while Johnny Murtagh has hit 0-7 in their two outings.
Group D
St Paul’s v Carrickcruppen – Sat 2 Sept – 6.15pm
A surprise defeat to Derrynoose in round two has dented Carrickcruppen’s chances of finishing top of the group.
Of course, they still have the chance to do that this weekend, but that loss just makes it a more difficult challenge.
St Paul’s have been in fine form so far in the IFC, hitting a total of 4-29 across their two games to date.
Andrew Murnin has been responsible for three of those majors and is a crucial member of Ronan Clarke’s side.
Eoin Woods is the main man up top for ‘Cruppen, supported by the likes of Conor Sloan and Cathal O’Grady.
‘Cruppen have conceded just one goal in the championship, and their defence will need to be on high alert.
Derrynoose v Forkhill – Sat 2 Sept – 6.15pm
Forkhill need to gather their first two points of the campaign on Saturday to remain in the running for the IFC.
They put up a really strong, battling performance against St Paul’s last week, but didn’t get over the line.
Cormac Toner and Barry Shannon both hit the net while Jemar Hall is their top scorer so far with 0-8.
Derrynoose were the surprise package in round two of the IFC, overcoming 2021 winners Carrickcruppen.
Conor McNally was the main man in the forward line, claiming 0-7 of their final tally of 1-12 as they won by nine.
Shea McNaughton has also been in fine form of late and he finished with 1-2, scoring the all-important goal, last week.
