When all is said and done this weekend, we will know the two teams fighting for the Junior Championship title.
Collegeland v Thomas Davis – Saturday 3 – Madden – 2.30pm
Collegeland and Thomas Davis will both see this weekend as a major chance to get through to the final. They have avoided the two big hitters in Ballyhegan and Middletown and will be happy with the draw.
Both sides are comfortable at this stage of the competition. Thomas Davis have reached the last four twice in recent years (2023 and 2025) while Collegeland won the championship back in 2024.
The Division 3B winners came through the group stages with hard-fought victories over Dorsey and Eire Og. They then off Mullabrack the last day out, with goals from Shane Donnelly (2) and Tom Murphy leading them through.
Thomas Davis on the other hand lost out in the first round to Lissummon. They have since bounced back with two victories on the trot over Redmond O’Hanlon’s and St Michael’s, although Jordan King is a big miss.
Ballyhegan v Middletown – Sunday 4 – Ballymacnab – 1.30pm
The two best teams in the competition, based on league ranks, but one of them will be out this weekend. Ballyhegan and Middletown have both been flying so far throughout the course of the championship.
They faced off twice in the league as well. Division 3A winners Ballyhegan gained the upper hand the first day out, while Middletown handed Chris Rafferty’s side their first and only defeat of the year in the reverse fixture.
They have introduced a host of young players into their starting team in the past two years. Peter McGrane did miss their recent landslide victory over Clady, and will be a huge loss if he is unavailable.
How Middletown react to losing last week’s hurling final could be crucial this weekend. They have a number of dual players who will be eager to bounce back and put all their energy into football now.
