PREVIEWS: Down championship fixtures

THE Down championship continues this weekend with a full round of fixtures.

DOWN SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND TWO

WINNERS GROUP

WARRENPOINT V DRUMGATH

Thursday, Burren, 7.15pm

DRUMGATH were the big story from the opening round following their victory over Mayobridge, but Warrenpoint have now been well warned, and they shouldn’t underestimate the challenge.

Verdict: Warrenpoint

CARRYDUFF V GLENN

Friday, Liatroim, 7.15pm

LAST year’s two defeated semi-finalists, Carryduff beat Glenn in round one last year. Both sides will have their eyes set on going deep into the competition, but Carryduff may just hold the upper hand her.

Verdict: Carryduff

LOUGHINISLAND V BURREN

Sunday, Clonduff, 6pm

LOUGHINISLAND had a decent victory in round one over Downpatrick while Burren blew Castlewellan away. Danny Magill is a huge miss for the back-to-back beaten finalists, but they should still have too much.

Verdict: Burren

CLONDUFF V KILCOO

Monday, Páirc Esler, 7.15pm

THE big game of the weekend, can Clonduff get one over their old rivals Kilcoo? The Magpies have been untouchable over the last few years and there’s little to suggest that’s going to change any time soon.

Verdict: Kilcoo

QUALIFIERS GROUP

DOWNPATRICK V MAYOBRIDGE

Saturday, Castlewellan, 4pm

MAYOBRIDGE may still be in shock given what happened in the opening round and they face a stiff test against Downpatrick, who will hold absolutely no fear of Mayobridge.

Verdict: Downpatrick

BALLYHOLLAND V SAUL

Saturday, Bryansford, 6pm

HAD things gone a little differently for Ballyholland, they could be in the winners’ pot but their extra-loss against Glenn means they’re in last chance saloon territory. Still, they should have enough to make it through.

Verdict: Ballyholland

BREDAGH V LIATROIM

Sunday, Downpatrick, 2pm

BREDAGH went into the championship with plenty of momentum following their league success but last out to Warrenpoint in round one. Liatroim will ask plenty of questions, but may not have enough to knock them out.

Verdict: Bredagh

CASTLEWELLAN V BRYANSFORD

Sunday, Kilcoo, 4pm

BRYANSFORD drew the short straw in round one against Kilcoo but can give a better account of themselves this weekend. Castlewellan likewise didn’t touch Burren two weeks ago, so this one could go right to the wire.

Verdict: Bryansford

DOWN INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALLCHAMPIONSHIP ROUND TWOWINNERS GROUP

DROMARA V ANNACLONE

Thursday, Saval, 6.45pm

ANNACLONE racked up an eye-catching five goals in their most recent outing while Dromara’s win over St John’s was a little bit more of a struggle. Annaclone’s attacking power could just be the difference.

Verdict: Annaclone

ATTICALL V CLANN NA BANNA

Friday, Rostrevor, 6.45pm

LAST year’s beaten finalists Clann na Banna will be eager to go one step further this time around. They face a stiff challenge against Benny Coulter’s Attical, but may just have enough to shade it.

Verdict: Clann na Banna

LONGSTONE V ROSTREVOR

Saturday, An Riocht, 2pm

TWO of the big hitters in the Intermediate Championship, there may not be a lot between these two teams come full time. Rostrevor may just have enough to edge the encounter but it will be a keenly contested affair.

Verdict: Rostrevor

AN RIOCHT V NEWRY SHAMROCKS

Sunday, Warrenpoint, 5.30pm

AN entire division separated these two sides in the league, with An Riocht operating in Division Two. That big of class could just tell in the end and that will favour an An Riocht victory.

Verdict: An Riocht

QUALIFIERS GROUP

TECONNACHT V ST JOHN’S

Thursday, Dundrum, 7.15pm

BOTH these teams will feel hard done by that they aren’t in the winners’ pot but they’ll have to focus on the next game to continue their championship charge. St John’s look the most likely team to make it through.

Verdict: St John’s

DARRAGH CROSS V ST PAUL’S

Friday, Teconnacht, 6.45pm

DARRAGH Cross were in the promotion shake up at the top end of Division Three while St Paul’s were competing in Division Three. Darragh Cross should have enough to make it through to the next round.

Verdict: Darragh Cross

TULLYLISH V BALLYMARTIN

Monday, Glenn, 6.45pm

TULLYLISH were relegated from Division Three, as were Ballymartin, although they almost clung onto their status. Both sides suffered fairly hefty beatings in the first round, but Ballymartin may just come through here.

Verdict: Ballymartin

SAVAL V ST JOHN, BOSCO

Monday, Mayobridge, 6.45pm

SAVAL will have their eyes set on going deep into the competition and just lost out in round one. They are one of the favourites for the crown and that should see them past the challenge of St John, Bosco.

Verdict: Saval

DOWN JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND THREE

GROUP 1

GLASDRUMMAN V EAST BELFAST

Friday, Glasdrumman, 6.45pm

EAST Belfast have recorded back-to-back victories and rattled off 4-15 last weekend while Glasdrumman drew their opening round clash but hit 3-15. Going on the recent outings, this could be a shootout.

Verdict: East Belfast

DUNDRUM V BRIGHT

Friday, Dundrum, 6.45pm

DUNDRUM have yet to win a game in the championship, with one-point from their opening two fixtures, while Bright picked up maximum points from their one outing.

Verdict: Dundrum

GROUP 2

ST MICHAEL’S V KILCLIEF

Friday, St Michael’s, 6.45pm

BOTH these sides have zero points to show for their early efforts and home advantage could be a key factor to decide the outcome of this one, giving St Michael’s the slight edge.

Verdict: St Michael’s

ARDGLASS V AUGHLISNAFIN

Friday, Ardglass, 6.45pm

ARDGlASS are two from two and another win here would put them in pole position to top Group Two. Aughlisnafin won their first round battle but could be up against it on Friday evening.

Verdict: Ardglass