Important points at stake in the Down Hurling Championships

THERE are championship games in both football and hurling in Down this weekend.

The hurling scene is heading towards a conclusion, while the Junior Football Championship gets under way.

DOWN SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP STAGE

BREDAGH V BALLYGALGET

Sunday, Carryduff, 2pm

BOTH these sides have a sole win to their name – against Newry Shamrocks – and this should be a close game. Danny Hughes’ Bredagh were well beaten by Ballycran last weekend, but they can get closer here.

Verdict: Ballygalget

BALLYCRAN V NEWRY SHAMROCKS

Sunday, Ballycran, 4.30pm

THE result looks inevitable here, but this may not be the cakewalk some may expect. The Shamrocks have been competing well in their games before running out of steam. They’ll hope to be competitive for a good stretch of this, but Ballycran’s winning margin should be a handsome one.

Verdict: Ballycran

DOWN JUNIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP STAGE

WARRENPOINT V BALLYVARLEY

Saturday, 5pm, Páirc Liam Uí Ír

TWO clubs sitting in the middle of the table, home advantage may swing it towards Warrenpoint.

VERDICT: WARRENPOINT

CASTLEWELLAN V EAST BELFAST

Saturday, Castlewellan, 6.15pm

TOP plays bottom and there seems only possible outcome here – a big win for the ‘Town.

Verdict: Castlewellan

DOWN JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINALS

DUNDRUM V MITCHEL’S

Friday, Clonduff, 7.15pm

DUNDRUM have designs on winning this competition while Mitchel’s have been struggling in the league all year. A comfortable win is in store.

Verdict: Dundrum

ARDGLASS V MAGHERALIN

Saturday, Drumgath, 2pm

ARDGLASS have found the going tough in Division 4A, but they should still be okay against St Michael’s.

Verdict: Ardglass

EAST BELFAST V GLASDRUMMAN

Saturday, Castlewellan, 2pm

PROBABLY the tie of the round as an improving East Belfast carry slight favouritism into this clash. Glasdrumman may be in Division 4B, but on their day they can be very dangerous.

Verdict: Glasdrumman

DROMARA V KILCLIEF

Saturday, Bright, 4.30pm

DROMARA have been operating at a higher level than all the other teams in Junior Championship action this weekend, and that should show. Kilclief are a potential banana skin however so they’ll need to be tuned in.

Verdict: Dromara