PREVIEWS: A crunch weekend of championship action in Donegal

THERE will be a cull of teams in Donegal this weekend as the knock-out aspect of the championships kicks in at senior and intermediate level.

The fixtures are as follows…

DONEGAL SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PRELIMINARY QUARTER-FINALS

St Eunan’s v Termon

Saturday, Donegal GAA centre, 5pm

DÉJÀ Vu. The sides met last weekend with Eoin McGeehan and Jack Alcorn showing their eye for goal. With all their county players back in the fold, Barry Meehan’s side will be fancied to advance against their neighbours.

Verdict: St Eunan’s

Naomh Conaill v Killybegs

Saturday, Ardara, 7.30pm

NAOMH Conaill face a battle to keep themselves in the race to land the Dr Maguire Cup. The 2-4 from Hugh McFadden and Eoghan Bán Gallager will be a focus. The Glenties men were beaten by St Michael’s last weekend. They’ll need their championship nous to book a quarter-final spot.

Verdict: Naomh Conaill

Four Masters v Glenswilly

Sunday, O’Donnell Park, 5pm

BOOM. The game of the weekend in Donegal. Four Masters were promoted recently and are trying to break into the next bracket. Glenswilly will be a wounded animal after a heavy defeat last weekend in Towney. Will it be Murphy time this weekend?

Verdict: Glenswilly

MacCumhaill’s v Downings

Sunday, O’Donnell Park, 3pm

GARY Wilson’s side were showing all the right signs of a top four finish but were beaten by Gaoth Dobhair last weekend. Downings have beaten Kilcar with narrow defeats to Dungloe and Naomh Conaill. The Ballybofey side will need their wits around them.

Verdict: MacCumhaill’s

DONEGAL INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL QUARTER-FINALS

Malin v Naomh Pádraig

Saturday, Buncrana, 7.30pm

A FIRST knockout game for Uisce Chaoin since their All-Ireland final. Malin are unbeaten and the fact they drew when the sides met in the group stages points to a tight affair. The Muff men will have to bounce back from leaking three goals against Burt. A tight call.

Verdict: Malin

Milford v Naomh Mhuire

Sunday, Dunfanaghy, 1pm

NAOMH Muire lost to title favourites Naomh Columba last weekend and have had an excellent season. Milford were winners last weekend and this game is going all the way to the wire. It could even take extra-time.

Verdict: Naomh Mhuire

Red Hugh’s v Bundoran

Sunday, Tir Chonaill Park, 1pm

RED Hugh’s bounced back from a defeat to hit a 4-20 tally last weekend and now face Realt na Mara who are also in the conversation for the title. This is another game exceptionally hard to call. Maybe Red Hughs to nick it. Maybe.

Verdict: Red Hugh’s

Naomh Columba v Buncrana

Sunday, Donegal GAA centre, 4pm

NAOMH Columba have set the pace with four wins in as many game to top the group stages. Buncrana edged Burt into eighth spot on score difference, by a whisker. Knock-out is a different ball game but it’s hard to look past the consistency of the men from Glen.

Verdict: Naomh Columba

DONEGAL JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 2GROUP A

Lifford v Robert Emmet’s

Saturday, Lifford, 2pm

LIFFORD are already out of the championship. Robert Emmet’s don’t have the head-to-head on Convoy so can’t finish above third spot. A chance to for them to get some players action ahead of the quarter-finals.

Verdict: Robert Emmet’s

DONEGAL JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 5GROUP B

Letterkenny Gaels v Naomh Ultan

Saturday, Letterkenny Gaels, 2pm

WITH Carndonagh expected to top the group, this decides second and third with both teams making the quarter-final. Two well-matched teams.

Verdict: Letterkenny GAELS

Carndonagh v Naomh Colmcille

Saturday, Carndonagh, 4pm

CARN are secure in top spot and will be keen to finish with another win ahead of their pending semi-final. Naomh Colmcille have struggled and will be up against it away from home.

Verdict: Carndonagh