The four remaining teams left in the Intermediate Championship all have their eyes set on reaching the decider.
Grange v Sarsfields – Sat 4 Oct – 6pm – BOX-IT Athletic Grounds
It’s 15 years since Sarsfields claimed championship gold and they’ll be keen to celebrate that anniversary with another IFC title. Getting over the line on Saturday and reaching the final is the first thing on the agenda.
They haven’t had much joy in the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds in recent years, but have enough quality to turn that record around. The High Moss finished second in Division 2A and topped their group with three wins from three.
Paul McGeown is the top scorer in the entire Intermediate Championship and his accuracy, particularly from frees, is crucial. His older brother Eamon along with Niall Kerr, Colin Stevenson, Tommy and Kevin McAliden are other go-to players.
Ethan Rafferty has been in outstanding form for Grange and has been an excellent two-point threat. They have shot the lights out so far in the championship and are looking to get their hands on the Atty Hearty Cup for the first time since 2019.
Odhran Rafferty has been in superb form as well and he, along with Ben Toal, hit the net the last day out against Clann Eireann IIs. They have won all four of their matches in the campaign and will be keen to extend that record.
Shane O’Neill’s v St Paul’s – Sun 5 Oct – 5pm – BOX-IT Athletic Grounds
Both these sides will need no reminding of their championship final clash three years ago, for very different reasons. A late Paul O’Rourke goal sealed the deal for Shane’s while St Paul’s were left to rue another missed chance.
Shane McConville’s side are vying for a spot in the showpiece for the fifth time in six years. They could be without one of their star men however, as Eoin McConville missed out on their quarter-final win over Forkhill through injury.
Andrew Murnin has been in marvellous form however throughout their run to the last four. Antoin McParland, Ryan Lawless, Declan Magee and Niall McCorry are other key men that they will look to.
Shane O’Neill’s have yet to taste defeat in the championship, although they were relegated from Division 2A. Connaire Mackin missed their quarter-final win over Derrynoose and could miss this weekend as well.
His younger brother Ciaran is still out of course having suffered a season ending injury with Armagh. They do still have Greg McCabe while the likes of Ruairi O’Brien, Paul O’Rourke and Pierce McGirr will need watched as well.