The knock-out stages of football action arrives in Antrim

THE Antrim football scene enters the knock-out stages this weekend with 10 games across three grades.

ANTRIM SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINALS

LAMH DHEARG V CARGIN
Friday, Dunsilly, 7.30pm
Cargin are hoping to regain their crown having won five of the last seven championships, but lost the last day out to O’Donovan Rossa so their form may be a concern. They’re the favourites but Lamh Dhearg could spring a surprise.
Verdict: Lamh Dhearg

PORTGLENONE V GORT NA MONA
Saturday, Dunsilly, 5pm
Portglenone have been knocking on the championship door for a while and eventually their going to smash through it. They won’t get it all their own way but should have enough to get the job done.
Verdict: Portglenone

AGHAGALLON V NAOMH BRID
Sunday, Lamh Dhearg, 1pm
Aghagallon were the surprise package in the championship last year and Audi Kelly’s men will be aiming to go one step further this season. They’ll take a step towards that on Sunday and reach the last four.
Verdict: Aghagallon

O’DONOVAN ROSSA V CREGGAN
Sunday, St Enda’s, 3.30pm
O’Donovan Rossa will take a lot of confidence from their recent victory over Cargin in the group stages but they’re coming up against the reigning champions who are out to defend their title.
Verdict: Creggan

ANTRIM INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINALS

SARSFIELDS V ST PAUL’S
Saturday, Sarsfields, 3pm
Sarsfields topped their group with three wins from three but finished behind St Paul’s in the league. This one could go right down to the wire, but Padraig Sairseil will feel they can just nick a result
Verdict: Padraig Sairseil

GLENAVY V DAVITT’S
Saturday, St Joseph’s, 3pm
Glenavy are one of just three teams that are currently unbeaten in the Intermediate Championship, and they hope to keep that run going this weekend and make their way through to the last four
Verdict: Glenavy

ALDERGROVE V DUNLOY
Sunday, Aldergrove, 2pm
Aldergrove lost out to St Paul’s in the final round of the group stages but were still able to finish top of group four. Dunloy offer a huge scoring threat and that could just see them though to the next round.
Verdict: Dunloy

GLENRAVEL V ALL SAINT’S
Sunday, St James’, 2pm
All Saint’s were huge 31-point winners in their last championship outing but will expect a much tougher test this weekend. Con Magee’s are currently unbeaten and will carry the favourites tag into this weekend.
Verdict: Glenravel

ANTRIM JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINALS

NA PIARSAIGH V ST AGNES’
Saturday, St Enda’s, 3pm
St Agnes’ were huge winners over Ballycastle in the last round and the scoring threat of Ronan Carroll, who scored 4-2 in that game, should be enough to see them past Na Piarsaigh and into the last four.
Verdict: St Agnes’

LAOCHRA LOCH LAO V EIRE OG
Saturday, Colaiste Feirste, 3pm
Eire Og were nine points winners over Wolfe Tones two weeks ago while Laochra Loch Lao lost out to St Malachy’s by the minimum of margins. That momentum could be enough for Eire Og to just sneak through.
Verdict: Eire Og