This weekend’s club championship games at a glance

THERE is a full weekend of crunch championship action across Ulster.

Here are all the fixtures. Details are correct the time of writing. Check details with the relevant county website before making the trip.

ANTRIM

ANTRIM SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Cargin v Dunloy

Sunday, Corrigan Park, 1.30pm

THIS intriguing game, broadcast live on TG4, pits the champions against a Dunloy side that have caught the imagination of Gaels across Antrim and beyond. Cargin needed all they had under the bonnet to peg Creggan back and the nerve in a penalty shootout victory. Dunloy have been here before and while it’s a different sport, they’ve played in high octane hurling games. Dunloy are well capable of making history but it’s hard be bet against a team who have three successive titles.

Verdict: Cargin

ANTRIM INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Moneyglass v Sarsfields

Saturday, Dunsilly, 7pm

GOALS from Tyler Cassidy and Sean Boyd won the game for Moneyglass when the teams met in the opening game of the group stages. They drew in Belfast earlier the league with the Paddies winning in the return leg to help secure the Division Two title. Moneyglass hit four goals in a semi-final win over St Teresa’s with a strong finish in comeback from nine points down against Glenavy did the trick for Sarsfields. Conor Lennon scored the all-important goal. A tight call.

Verdict: Moneyglass

ANTRIM JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

St Agnes v Pearses

Saturday, Davitt Park, 4pm

LIKE Sarsfields, the Aggies are on course for a league and championship double after a season that takes them all the way to the biggest game. Pearses don’t have same level of consistency but semi-final win over a fancied Laochra Loch Lao will open their opponent’s eyes. David McGaharan and James Campbell was on form in St Agnes’ semi-final win and Pearses will need another strong footing at the back.

Verdict: St Agnes

ANTRIM SENIOR CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Loughgiel v Dunloy

Sunday, Portglenone, 4.30pm

THE Shamrocks topped the group with victory over Cushendall to book their final spot. Dunloy were winners over the ‘Dall in the semi-finals with Nicole McAtamney landing 10 points as they came back from six points down early on. The champions have a balanced side that is laced with big game experience. They will go in favourites to keep their hands on the silver.

Verdict: Loughgiel

ANTRIM INTERMEDIATE CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Loughgiel v Brídíní Óga

Saturday, Ahoghill, 4pm

TORIE Edgars’ late goal in a 1-7 haul shot Brídíní Óga to victory over Cushendall’s second team and give them a crack at silver this weekend. It doesn’t get any easier with Loughgiel seconds hitting 1-21 in a semi-final win over Portglenone. The Shamrocks were comfortable winners when they met earlier in the season and will be the fancied horse.

Verdict: Loughgiel

ARMAGH

ARMAGH SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

CLANN ÉIREANN V MADDEN

Friday, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 7.30pm

BOTH sides are attempting to make history this year, with Clann Éireann chasing a first ever two-in-a-row of county titles while Madden are hoping to get their hands on the title for the very first time. Clann Éireann’s bid has been dealt a major blow with Barry McCambridge sidelined for the remainder of the season through injury. They will still be the favourites to come out on top but if Niall Grimley and Darragh McMullen find their groove, Madden will offer stiff opposition.

Verdict: Clann Éireann

CROSSMAGLEN V CULLYHANNA

Saturday, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 6pm

PEARSE Casey has been a huge miss for Cullyhanna and will continue to be, while Crossmaglen are getting all their main men back in the nick of time. Oisin O’Neill, Callum Cumiskey and Odhran Kieran all got their first minutes of the championship the last day out against Carrickcruppen and will likely be in from the start. Cullyhanna will need the likes of Aidan Nugent, Ross McQuillan and Jason Duffy to carry the fight, but the Rangers look best placed to make the decider.

Verdict: Crossmaglen

ARMAGH SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

MIDDLETOWN V KEADY

Sunday, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 2pm

MIDDLETOWN created history last year by becoming the first club in the Orchard County to win six consecutive SHC titles. They are hoping to take that one step further on Sunday against old foes Keady, who they have beaten in the last five finals. Keady were the better team on show last year, but came up short due to a late Cahal Carvill goal, and if they can bring their best to the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds on Sunday then they have a terrific chance to upset the odds and win the crown for the first time since 2018.

Verdict: Keady

ARMAGH INTERMEDIATE HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

KILLEAVY V CUCHULAINNS

Sunday, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 4.15pm

CUCHULAINNS, who lost to Junior Championship decider last season after a replay, were utterly dominant in their victory over St Malachy’s in the semi-final while Killeavy had a sterner test against last year’s Junior winners Sean Treacy’s. Cuchulainns edged the group stage meeting between these two by a single point so that will fill them with confidence going into Sunday’s decider. Killeavy will of course have revenge on their minds but it may not be enough for them to secure the title.

Verdict: Cuchulainns

ARMAGH JUNIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

MIDDLETOWN II V ST MALACHY’S

Saturday, Ballymacnab, 3pm

BOTH teams will have felt strongly that they should have come away with the win the first day out, but equally both will have been relieved to fight another day. James Hamill was the man that force the replay, and he will once again be key for St Malachy’s, as will Joesph Breen, Joe McKeever and Mairtin Creaney. Charlie Lennon was the man that caught the eye for Middletown the last day out, as did Paddy McArdle at full back. Middletown are going for Junior and Senior hurling titles and that desire could see them through.

Verdict: Middletown II

CAVAN

CAVAN SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Gowna v Kingscourt

Sunday, Kingspan Breffni, 4pm

KINGSCOURT certainly won’t want to see a repeat of the 2023 final, where they shipped five goals in a hugely forgettable day at the office against Gowna. After a one-year absence, Gowna stand on the cusp of a third title in four years, but Kingscourt can’t be discounted after such a credible championship campaign. The manner of Gowna’s semi-final win over defending champions Crosserlough suggests that it could be their day, though.

verdict: GOWNA

DERRY

DERRY SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

Magherafelt V Glen

Saturday, Owenbeg, 7pm

AFTER an underwhelming showing so far, the John McLaughlin Cup race sparks into action on Saturday with a repeat of the 2019 and 2023 finals. Glen have eased their way to the last four with the minimum of fuss as they gradually introduced their players back from injury. Magherafelt were ruthless against Bellaghy in the semi-final. Their kick-out retention was off the charts. At 8/1, a draw could be a decent shout here. It could take extra-time. A toss of a coin here.

Verdict: MAGHERAFELT

Newbridge v Sleacht Néill

Sunday, Owenbeg, 3pm

THE champions were given a scare by Steelstown in the quarter-final before Eamon Young kicked down the door. There was a return for Callum McGrogan after injury and some of their players stood up when it mattered. Sleacht Néill needed goals at vital times against plucky Lavey side. The ‘Bridge kick-out has caused them bother in games and something Sleacht Néill might go after. The Another one going to the wire.

Verdict: Sleacht Néill

DERRY INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

Foreglen v Limavady

Saturday, Owenbeg, 5pm

LIMAVADY will know one thing – if they’ve Foreglen on the ropes, they’ll need to keep the foot to the throttle. The Claudy game is there for all to see. On the flip side, Limavady had the wherewithal to dig out a win against a Craigbane team who had one foot in the last four. The Wolfhounds have had a good return from their midfield. The battle with Cahir O’Connor and Eoghan Duffy will shape this one.

Verdict: Foreglen

Glenullin v Greenlough

Sunday, Owenbeg, 1pm

THE ‘Glen hit four goals in victory when Greenlough came to visit in the group stages. They’ve been ruthless since but they’ll be aware of Luke Grant and Niall Loughlin each hitting two goals in Greenlough’s win over another contender, Eoghan Rua. Before a ball was kicked this could well have been a final pairing. Glenullin go in as marginal favourites this weekend.

Verdict: Glenullin

DERRY JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

Moneymore v Doire Trasna

Friday, Owenbeg, 7.30pm

MONEYMORE were involved in a pulsating classic to see off Dolan’s with Tiernan O’Neill, Maciej Orzel and Cormac Murphy to the fore. Eoghan Quigg and Conor O’Donnell starred at either end of the pitch as Trasna saw off Doire Colmcille. This is the first game of the weekend and Trasna will be fancied to come through but write off Eunan Murray’s side at your peril.

Verdict: Doire Trasna

Glack v Slaughtmanus

Saturday, Celtic Park, 2pm

GLACK pulled out all the stops to see off Magilligan with just 13 men, having started without captain Liam O’Brien and Martin McGonigle. Cormac Boyle is a handful with Niall McGowan and Ryan Morgan the scoring duo. Slaughtmanus had to hold off Drum’s comeback and have been tipped from the title before the season started. Gavin McShane and Conor McGee are the main men Glack must watch.

Verdict: Slaughtmanus

DERRY SENIOR CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Sleacht Néill v Swatragh

Saturday, Ballinascreen 4pm

SWATRAGH put their title on the line this weekend against their neighbours who have had a recently monopoly on the Martin Mulholland Cup. Emma Quinn hit two vital frees for Swatragh in their 3-12 to 2-13 semi-final win over Ballinascreen. Sleacht Néill manager Elaine Dowds looked on as Tina Bradley, Clíodhna Ní Mhianáin and Eimear McGuigan bagged a combined 2-11 in victory against Bellaghy. The Emmet’s will go into the decider as favourites.

Verdict: Sleacht Néill

DERRY JUNIOR CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Loup v Drum

Saturday, Ballinascreen 2pm

TWO Grainne Devlin goals shot Loup to a first final since they reformed 15 years ago. They were made to dig deep against Magherafelt. It might stand to them but Drum have score heavily against Na Magha and need watched.

Verdict: Loup

DERRY INTERMEDIATE CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

Castledawson v Dungiven

Sunday, Lavey, 2pm

LEAGUE champions Castledawson have Dominic McKinley at the helm and booked their semi-final spot with a 2-11 to 2-7 win over Glenullin. They’ll have to keep an eye on goal machine Brannagh Brolly. Leona McAteer is the ‘Dawson’s key player and they’ll hope for another scoring return.

Verdict: Castledawson

Ballinderry v Eoghan Rua

Sunday, Lavey, 4pm

IT has been a busy championship season for Eoghan Rua’s dual players who were in football final action last weekend. In Shauna Doherty, they have the competition’s top scorer with 4-22. Ballinderry have been progressing year after year. They’ve another shot at glory.

Verdict: Eoghan Rua

DONEGAL

DONEGAL SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Gaoth Dobhair v Naomh Conaill

Sunday, O’Donnell Park, 3.30pm

GAOTH Dobhair are the only unbeaten team in the competition and they face the acid test of a group of men who refuse to throw in the towel. Martin Regan has built an unbreakable bond and has been able to freshen up the squad. Max Campbell’s quarter-final saved their season against Termon. In the opposite corner, Rónán Mac Niallais and Francie Friel have brought Gaoth Dobhair all the way to the final bend in the road. They’ve a ball of quality in their ranks too. It could be their time but how often have we said it about anyone taking on the men of Glenties. This one follows the Antrim final on TG4.

Verdict: Gaoth Dobhair

DONEGAL JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Carndonagh v Letterkenny Gaels

Saturday, O’Donnell Park, 4pm

CARN came up short against eventual All-Ireland finalists Uisce Chaoin in last year’s decider they take on the 2022 champions. The Gaels have improved as the season went on and Conor McBrearty’s 3-4 haul helped them to a semi-final win over Naomh Bríd. A Conor O’Donnell shot Carndonagh into a 1-10 to 0-5 lead but they had to dig deep as Convoy stormed back. Carn lost to the Gaels in the 2022 final but will hope for a better ending this time.

Verdict: Carndonagh

DOWN

DOWN INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL

CLANN NA BANNA V ANNACLONE

Thursday, Liatroim, 8pm

THERE was very little to separate these sides throughout the first game last Sunday and ultimately, it’s going to take a replay to decide who makes it through. Clann na Banna reached the decider last season and just came up short so they will have the hunger to go again. Declan Morgan’s Annaclone have been in brilliant form throughout the competition and in another tight and tough battle, they may just have enough to get over the line but there won’t be much in it.

Verdict: Annaclone

DOWN INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP RELEGATION PLAYOFF

BALLYMARTIN V ST PAUL’S

Sunday, Ballykinlar, 1pm

BOTH sides have conceded a serious number of goals so far in the championship. Ballymartin have shipped 15 three-pointers in four outings while 11 green flags have been raised against St Paul’s. Both teams also suffered heavy beatings in the first round of the relegation playoffs so confidence will be fairly low in the two changing rooms. Ballymartin played at a higher level in the league and that could tell the tale on Sunday afternoon.

Verdict: Ballymartin

DOWN SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

PORTAFERRY V BREDAGH

Sunday, Portaferry, 1pm

BREDAGH won the Intermediate title last season and have taken a step in the right direction by reaching the final four at senior level. This will be a step up in class however as Portaferry have been the dominant team in Down in recent years and are pushing on in Ulster as well. Portaferry, who came out on top in all five of their group game battles, will have home advantage on Sunday as well so they are the clear favourites to reach the decider for the ninth season on the bounce.

verdict: PORTAFERRY

BALLYGALGET V BALLYCRAN

Sunday, Ballygalget, 3.30pm

BALLYGALGET have really asserted themselves as the second-best team in the competition over the last few years, replacing Ballycran, who have reached six of the last seven county finals. Ballygalget get to the showpiece last year but came up short against Portaferry, as they did the last day out in the final game of the group stages. Ballygalget hammered Ballycran by 21-points at the start of the campaign and while this one should be closer, there’s only one clear winner.

Verdict: Ballygalget

DOWN INTERMEDIATE HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

BALLELA V LIATROIM

Saturday, Ballela, 4pm

BOTH clubs head into the semi-final off the back of last round defeats in the group stages. Ballela suffered their first defeat of the campaign at the hands of Warrenpoint while Liatroim just came up short against Ballycran. Liatroim last won the Intermediate Championship crown in 2022 and went all the way to the Ulster title. Their experience of operating at senior level in the group stages should stand to them and they’ll have their eyes set on getting back to the showpiece once again.

Verdict: Liatroim

WARRENPOINT V CARRYDUFF

Sunday, Páirc Liam Uí Ír, 1pm

CARRYDUFF have competed in the last five Intermediate Championship finals but have come out on the wrong side of those encounters in the past four seasons. Carryduff competed in the group stages of the Senior Championship but only picked up a single point thanks to a round three tie with Ballycran. Warrenpoint topped the Intermediate group, via score difference, winning two of their three games so have a bit of momentum behind them, but Carryduff could prove a step too far for them this weekend.

Verdict: Carryduff

DOWN JUNIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND THREE

BALLYVARLEY V EAST BELFAST

Saturday, Liatroim, 2pm

THESE two sides have experienced a fairly tough campaign so far in the Junior Hurling Championship have tasted defeat in their opening two rounds. They’ve both been leaking a lot of scores so far, but Saturday provides the two panels with an opportunity to pick up their first win of the campaign and get two-points on the board and East Belfast may just do enough to get over the line.

Verdict: East Belfast

KILCLIEF V CASTLEWELLAN

Saturday, Drumaness, 1pm

KILCLIEF and Castlewellan are two from two in the group stages so far, meaning the winner of Saturday’s meeting is guaranteed top spot in the group. Kilclief currently hold the number one position due to their better score difference, but Castlewellan have scored more in the opening two rounds than their round three opponents. Given that fact, Castlewellan possibly head into the fixtures as the favourites to come out on top but it’s a tie that could go right down to the wire.

Verdict: Castlewellan

DOWN INTERMEDIATE CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

BALLYHOLLAND V MAYOBRIDGE

Sunday, Clonduff, 2pm

THERE was very little to split these two teams during the group stages with Ballyholland just getting through, on home turf, with three-points to spare. Outside of that round four defeat, Mayobridge’s record has been squeaky clean, although they really did ride their luck in a couple of outings, including the semi-final, where they squeezed past An Riocht by the minimum of margins.

Verdict: Ballyholland

DOWN JUNIOR CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

AGHADERG V KILCLIEF

Saturday, Drumaness, 4pm

JUST one-point separated these two teams in round two of the group stages, with Kilclief sneaking through on home soil. The two sides have been scoring heavily throughout the competition, with both capable of rattling the back of then net more than once as they have demonstrated throughout. Aghaderg will be hungry for revenge following that earlier defeat and that could spur them on to victory.

Verdict: Aghaderg

FERMANAGH

FERMANAGH JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Newtownbutler v St Patrick’s Donagh

Sunday, Roslea, 2.30pm

THERE’S an obvious barometer for this one – these two teams have already met in the Junior Championship, on that occasion St Patrick’s producing a strong performance to prevail on a scoreline of 0-20 to 1-13. Newtownbutler bounced back with a victory over Coa to net themsevles a place in the final, but we’ll go for St Patrick’s to repeat the trick this Sunday.

Verdict: St Patrick’s Donagh

MONAGHAN

MONAGHAN SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

CLONTIBRET V SCOTSTOWN

Sunday, Clones, 2pm

ARGUABLY the two best teams in the county lock horns with a spot in the decider up for grabs. Scotstown gained the upper hand when they competed in last year’s county final while a late Dessie Mone two-pointer saw the sides finish level when they met in round two of the group stages. Scotstown brushed Latton aside last weekend without Ryan O’Toole and Conor McCarthy but still have plenty of quality. If Clontibret can get over the line, it’ll be the first final without Scotstown since 2012.

Verdict: Clontibret

INNISKEEN V MAGHERACLOONE

Sunday, Clones, 3.45pm

MAGHERACLOONE head into the last four for the first time since 2017, when they last reached the decider, and have plenty of confidence and momentum behind them having hammered rivals Corduff last weekend. They have already faced Inniskeen in the group stages of the championship, with John McEntee’s team emerging comfortable 1-13 to 0-9 winners, so Magheracloone will hope to turn that record on its head. It’s a big ask for them but as they have already demonstrated, they are well fit for the task, but Inniskeen are the favourites to make it through to the showpiece.

Verdict: Inniskeen

MONAGHAN SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP RELEGATION GROUP ROUND TWO

AUGHNAMULLEN V TRUAGH

Sunday, Aughnamullen, 12pm

AUGHNAMULLEN are on the backfoot straight away in the relegation group having tasted defeat on the opening day to Cremartin. Truagh, who won the Division Two league title last season to earn promotion, will be keen to hold onto their senior status and avoid the drop back down. Aughnamullen have been the great survivors in the past number of years, and Mickey Conlon’s men will hope that home advantage can get them over the line, but they look to be up against it.

Verdict: Truagh

BALLYBAY V CREMARTIN

Sunday, Ballybay, 12pm

BALLYBAY have been decimated by injuries this season and this is must win territory for the 2023 SFC winners as defeat will likely spell the end of their status as a senior club. Cremartin head into the match off the back of a comfortable victory over Aughnamullen the last day out, while Ballybay suffered a one-point loss at the hands of Truagh. Ballybay are without a number of their household names but still have quality in their ranks and that could help them see this one out.

Verdict: Ballybay

MONAGHAN INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

DONAGHMOYNE V KILLANNY

Saturday, Inniskeen, 2.30pm

DONAGHMOYNE are arguably the front runners for the title following the group stages where they picked up four victories in a row. Killanny finished second in their group, losing just once, and had to overcome Doohamlet last Sunday evening in order to reach the final four of the competition. Killanny claimed the county title two years ago while Donaghmoyne last for their hands on the Paddy O’Rourke Cup in 2021.

Verdict: Donaghmoyne

CASTLEBLAYNEY V CARRICKMACROSS

Saturday, Inniskeen, 4.15pm

CASTLEBLAYNEY were unbeaten in their four group games which accumulated of two wins and two draws. Carrickmacross finished on the same points of six in their group, winning three of their four outings, while they lost out to Donaghmoyne in round four. Both sides will have their eyes set on reaching the decider. Carrickmacross finished at the top of the Division Two league, beating Castleblayney by five points in the final round, and that could just give them the edge on Saturday.

Verdict: Carrickmacross

TYRONE

TYRONE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

Loughmacrory v Carrickmore

Sunday, Pomeroy, 2.30pm

A BLOCK-BUSTER (so is the other one). Loughmacrory are appearing in their first ever senior championship semi-final so it’s a historic day for the club. They just so happen to be playing their parish rivals Carrickmore, so expect a massive crowd in Pomeroy this Sunday. Pardon the waffle but this one could really go either way. Both teams are in good form, have stellar defences and marquee forwards. Will Carrickmore’s tradition get them over the line? We’ll soon find out but Loughmacrory finished fourth in the league and perhaps this is their time.

Verdict: Loughmacrory

Errigal Ciaran v Trillick

Sunday, Omagh, 6pm

FAMILIAR foes at this stage – though they usually meet in the final. Both teams stuttered to victories at the quarter-final stage, but they’re seriously talented sides and it would be no surprise if either win the O’Neill Cup. Trillick had to fend without Mattie and Richie Donnelly in their narrow victory over Pomeroy, and it’ll be interesting to see what part they play on Sunday. Perhaps we’ll give them a hesitant nod – it’s such a big ask to retain the Tyrone SFC title. If Errigal go all the way, fair dues.

Verdict: Trillick