Crunch time in Down Championships

DOWN SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND THREE

CASTLEWELLAN V GLENN

Friday, Ballymartin, 7.30pm

Glenn were 10-point losers to Carryduff the last day out and it’s now must win territory against Castlewellan who will be eyeing up a place in the next round and may just get over the line.

Verdict: Castlewellan

MAYOBRIDGE V DOWNPATRICK

Sunday, Liatrom, 3pm

Mayobridge gave a brilliant account of themselves against Burren and while they didn’t get over the line, they’ll take huge confidence from that performance. Downpatrick are better than the scoreline suggests against Burren, but this could be a step too far.

Verdict: Mayobridge

BALLYHOLLAND V CLONDUFF

Sunday, Páirc Esler, 5pm

Clonduff overcame Bryansford the last day out and they will be aiming to continue that momentum into the weekend while Ballyholland are coming off the back of a tough defeat to kingpins Kilcoo

Verdict: Carryduff

WARRENPOINT V SAUL

Monday, Páirc Esler, 7.30pm

Warrenpoint surprisingly lost out to Loughinisland in round two, but that defeat will surely heighten their motivation. They’ll once again carry the favourites tag into this game and should get their championship ambitions back on track.

Verdict: Warrenpoint

DOWN SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP RELEGATION SEMI FINAL

AN RIOCHT V BREDAGH

Sunday, Castlewellan, 1pm

Both teams will be desperate to avoid relegation this weekend and only a win will do as they face off on Sunday. This one could go right down to the wire, with An Riocht possibly just ahead at full time.

Verdict: An Riocht

BRYANSFORD V LONGSTONE

Sunday, Atticall, 1pm

Bryansford just came up second best in their latest clash with Carryduff and while Longstone will be no push overs, Bryansford are possibly just further down the road in terms of development.

Verdict: Bryansford

DOWN INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND THREE

ANNACLONE V ATTICAL

Saturday, Burren, 2pm

Annaclone may just have enough to get across the finish line in this one and progress to the next stage of the Down Intermediate championship, but Attical won’t go down without a fight.

Verdict: Annaclone

NEWRY SHAMROCKS V TULLYLISH

Saturday, Glenn, 3pm

Newry Shamrocks conceded six goals in their last outing against St John’s and if they are to continue in this championship, they’ll have to clean up that defensive record. Tullylish may not have enough firepower to really test it, however.

Verdict: Newry Shamrocks

LIATROIM V CLANN NA BANNA

Saturday, Mayobridge, 4.30pm

There are goals in both these teams, and it’ll come down to whoever brings their shooting boots and which defence can deal with the oppositions forward line. Clann Na Banna possibly just have the edge here.

Verdict: Clann Na Banna

AUGHLISNAFIN V BALLYMARTIN

Monday, Dundrum, 7.15pm

Ballymartin just lost out to St John’s in the last game and will hope to get back on track when they take on Aughlisnafin on Monday. It could be a closely contested affair, with Ballymartin just seeing out a win.

Verdict: Ballymartin

DOWN INTERMEIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP RELEGATION SEMI FINAL

ST PAUL’S V DARRAGH CROSS

Sunday, Carryduff, 1pm

St Paul’s may still be scarred by the 22-point drumming handed out by Saval just three weeks ago while Darragh Cross were much more competitive in their two championship outings and that will stand to them.

Verdict: Darragh Cross

ST JOHN’S BOSCO V BRIGHT

Sunday, St John’s, 1pm

Bright were hammered by Newry Shamrocks last weekend and that defeat will have hampered their confidence. St John’s may well use that to their advantage and add to their woes this weekend.

Verdict: St John’s Bosco