PREVIEWS: Quarter-final weekend beckons in Down

THE club championship are now in full flow in all the counties across Ulster. We take a look ahead to another busy weekend of games as the heat begins to rise as final days get closer.

Here are the Down fixtures…

DOWN SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINALS

Kilcoo v Loughinisland

Saturday, Downpatrick, 5pm

KILCOO are still the team to beat in the Mourne County and no one has really laid a glove on them just yet. Loughinisland will be keen to upset the odds but are really up against it.

Verdict: Kilcoo

Carryduff v Ballyholland

Saturday, Castlewellan, 3.30pm

CARRYDUFF are a team hotly tipped as the best placed to possibly contend with Kilcoo for the top prize in the Mourne County and they have been impressive so far. Ballyholland will put up a fight but it’s Carryduff who will be expected to reach the last four.

Verdict: Carryduff

Warrenpoint v Clonduff

Saturday, Burren, 6pm

BOTH sides will see this game as a massive opportunity to reach the semi-finals. Warrenpoint haven’t reached the semi-finals since 2022 while it’s two years since Clonduff contested the last four.

Verdict: Clonduff

BURREN V GLENN

Monday, Pairc Esler, 7.30pm

GLENN are aiming to reach the semi-finals for the third consecutive season while Burren have their eyes set on reaching the final for a third year in a row. This one could be tight, with Burren perhaps just shading it.

Verdict: Burren

DOWN SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP RELEGATION PLAYOFFS

MAYOBRIDGE V BRYANSFORD

Saturday, An Riocht, 3pm

MAYOBRIDGE will be keen to secure their senior status and relegation from the top tier would be a major disappointment for them. Bryansford will have the same feelings, so it should go right down to the wire.

Verdict: Bryansford

Saul v Liatroim

Saturday, St John’s, 3pm

SAUL operated in Division One throughout the league, although they suffered relegation, while Liatroim competed in Division Three. Playing at the higher grade may give Saul the upper hand in this contest.

Verdict: Saul

DOWN INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINALS

Atticall v St John’s

Friday, Kilcoo, 7.30pm

ATTICALL have been the surprise package in the Intermediate Championship this season and are out to make it three from three. St John’s will look to halt their momentum and make it through to the semis.

Verdict: Attical

Annaclone v Rostrevor

Friday, Liatroim, 7.30pm

ANNACLONE have nailed seven goals across their two championship games while Rostrevor have only conceded one major in their three outings. Goals will be key this weekend and could ultimately decide the game.

Verdict: Annaclone

Longstone v Clann na Banna

Saturday, Saval, 3pm

CLANN na Banna remain one of the big favourites have reached the decider last season. Longstone have edged their two games to date, winning both by one and two points respectively, and another tight battle is guaranteed.

Verdict: Clann na Banna

An Riocht v Saval

Sunday, Mayobridge, 1.30pm

SAVAL have bounced back from their first round loss to Clann na Banna while An Riocht have yet to taste defeat in the championship. No matter what happens on Sunday afternoon, one of the big hitters will be gone from the championship.

Verdict: Saval

DOWN INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP RELEGATION PLAYOFFS

St John, Bosco v Ballymartin

Saturday, Warrenpoint, 1pm

BOSCO have conceded 6-30 across their two championship games to date while Ballymartin have conceded 5-42, so neither defensive record has been good. That could make for an interesting clash this weekend, however.

Verdict: Ballymartin

Teconnaught v St Paul’s

Saturday, Carryduff, 1pm

TECONNAUGHT perhaps feel a bit unfortunate to be in the relegation play-offs, losing out twice by small margins. St Paul’s, on the other hand, suffered two hefty beatings, so Teconnaught will be the favourites.

Verdict: Teconnaught

DOWN JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND FIVEGROUP ONE

Glasdrumman v Aghaderg

Thursday, Glasdrumman, 6.15pm

IT’S must-win territory for both sides in Glasdrumman on Thursday night. The two teams have lost two games and drawn one, so the loser here will crash out of the Junior Championship.

Verdict: Glasdrumman

East Belfast v Bright

Saturday, East Belfast, 1pm

BOTH teams have been in flying form throughout the group stages and the winner in this contest will top the group and head straight into the semi-finals. East Belfast may just edge the game.

Verdict: East Belfast

GROUP TWO

Kilclief v Aughlisnafin

Thursday, Kilclief, 6.15pm

A WIN here from the home side could lift them from fourth in the table to second place. Aughlisnafin are guaranteed second spot if they avoid defeat against Kilclief.

Verdict: Aughlisnafin

St Michael’s v Drumaness

Saturday, St Michael’s,1pm

ST MICHAEL’S have yet to pick up a single point in the group stages, losing out in all three of their games so far. Drumaness will be hoping to make that four and will be targeting a second victory.

Verdict: Drumaness