PREVIEWS: Armagh championship begins to heat up

THERE is another weekend of championship action in Armagh.

Here are the fixtures…

ARMAGH SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PRELIMINARY QUARTER-FINALS

ST PETER’S V CULLOVILLE

Saturday, Clady, 2.30pm

BOTH sides have had good championship campaigns up to this point, but they won’t want their season to end just yet. Division 1B league champions Culloville are probably the pre-match favourites.

Verdict: Culloville

CARRICKCRUPPEN V GRANEMORE

Saturday, Silverbridge, 5.15pm

CARRICKCRUPPEN had two really good results after their first-round hammering against Clann Eireann. Granemore have blown hot and cold in the championship and could be up against it this weekend.

Verdict: Carrickcruppen

KILLEAVY V MULLAGHBAWN

Sunday, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 5pm

THIS one has the potential to be an absolute classic as both sides put their seasons on the line. League champions Killeavy edged the two league encounters, and they may just come through by the skin of their teeth once again.

Verdict: Killeavy

MADDEN V ARMAGH HARPS

Sunday, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 7pm

THESE sides last met in the championship two seasons ago, at the same venue, and finished all square. Sunday’s encounter could be just as tight, but form would suggest that Madden may have enough to come through.

Verdict: Madden

ARMAGH JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINALS

CROSSMAGLEN II V MIDDLETOWN

Saturday, Keady, 3pm

CROSSMAGLEN IIs are unbeaten in the championship, but this will be their toughest game of the campaign so far. Middletown will have their eyes set on going all the way and may just edge it.

Verdict: Middletown

REDMOND O’HANLON’S V THOMAS DAVIS

Saturday, Shane O’Neill’s, 5.15pm

THOMAS Davis reached the last four as recently as 2023 so they hold the upper hand in terms of experience, although the momentum of the groups stages may help Redmond O’Hanlon’s through.

Verdict: Redmond O’Hanlon’s

AN PORT MÓR V BALLYHEGAN

Sunday, Abbey Park, 1pm

AN Port Mór and Ballyhegan were the top two teams in the league, with An Port Mór clinching the Division 3A title. Ballyhegan haven’t really found their feet in the championship yet, but that could change this weekend.

Verdict: Ballyhegan

CLONMORE V ST MICHAEL’S

Sunday, Abbey Park, 3pm

ST MICHAEL’S were comfortable winners over Clady in the play-offs, but they face a much stronger challenge this weekend. Clonmore are the team to beat at the minute and will be too strong.

Verdict: Clonmore

ARMAGH JUNIOR B FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

ARMAGH HARPS II V CLAN NA GAEL II

Friday, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 7.15pm

THESE were the top two teams in the group series, with both winning three from three while their last four clash was called off as it was a dead-rubber. This could go down the stretch, with Clans just nicking it.

Verdict: Clan na Gael II