Previews: Crucial weekend in the Cavan Club Championships

CAVAN SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND THREE

LARAGH UNITED V MULLAHORAN

Friday, Kingspan Breffni, 8pm

LARAGH United are having an excellent season and were pipped at the posts by one of the leading contenders for the senior championship, Gowna, last weekend. They can take a big step towards the quarter-finals if they defeat Mullahoran this Saturday. Mullahoran came out a distinct second best against Cavan Gaels after winning their first game, so you’d have to give Laragh the nod here.

Verdict: Laragh United

LACKEN V KINGSCOURT STARS

Saturday, Ramor, 5pm

THIS has the potential to be a rip-roaring contest. 2020 beaten finalists Kingscourt are in a spot of bother after losing on their first day out and managing only a draw against Lavey. Owen Lennon’s Lacken are bidding for their second victory and neither side can really afford to lose this one. Thomas Galligan is injured which might give Kingscourt the initiative.

Verdict: Kingscourt Stars

GOWNA V LAVEY

Saturday, Kingspan Breffni, 7pm

GOWNA got up and running at the weekend, but they were pushed all the way by a hugely competitive Laragh side. This is basically the moving weekend in the senior championship and victory for either side would leave them primed ahead of the final round of group stage fixtures.

Verdict: Gowna

BALLINAGH V CAVAN GAELs

Sunday, Lacken, 2pm

CAVAN Gaels were at their formidable best in their hugely one-sided victory over Mullahoran at the weekend. They’re one of only three teams with an unbeaten record in the senior championship and they should pick up another win against struggling Ballinagh.

Verdict: Cavan Gaels

RAMOR UNITED V CROSSERLOUGH

Sunday, Crosskeys, 4pm

TWO teams which need little introduction. This is a meeting of the last two senior champions in Cavan (Ramor won in 2021) and so far they’ve looked very strong. Ramor are unbeaten and Crosserlough bounced back after a one-point defeat to Cavan Gaels in round one, so it’s a toss of the coin. Possibly Crosserlough’s need is greater.

Verdict: Crosserlough

BUTLERSBRIDGE V KILLYGARRY

Sunday, Kingspan Breffni, 7pm

KILLYGARRY will rubberstamp their place in the quarters if they overcome Butlersbridge this weekend. Butlersbridge are dead last and it’s hard to see that changing given how impressive Killygarry have been to date.

Verdict: Killygarry

CAVAN JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND FOUR

Drumalee v Swanlinbar

Saturday, Rory O’Moore Park, 5pm

SWANLINBAR have nothing to play for apart from pride when they face Drumalee. They’ve lost all their games ahead of their final group stage match. Drumlaee won’t be taking it easy as they may need a positive result to make sure of a place in the last eight.

Verdict: Drumalee

KILDALLAN V MUNTERCONNACHT

Sunday, Emmett Park, 5pm

KILDALLAN are totally out of the running having lost their three previous matches. Munterconnaught are going well, have a decent scoring difference, and it would be a surprise if they miss out at this stage on a place in the knockout rounds.

Verdict: Munterconnaught

MAGHERA MACFINNS V SHANNON GAELS

Saturday, PJ Duke Park, 5pm

MAGHERA MacFinns have lost out heavily in their previous matches so on paper this is a ‘gimme’ for Shannon Gaels. The Gaels have three points on the board and a win should see them finish in the top eight.

Verdict: Shannon Gaels

REDHILLS V KILL SHAMROCKS

Saturday, Kingspan Breffni, 5pm

A TOUGH one to call as both sides can still qualify for the last eight. Redhills have won one, drawn one and lost one, while Kill Shamrocks’ best result was a comfortable win over Kildallan. Redhills might slip into the last eight.

Verdict: Redhills

DRUMLANE V KNOCKBRIDE

Saturday, Athletic Grounds, 5pm

THESE are two of the stronger teams in the competition. Knockbride can afford to take a breather here as they’ve already qualified for the last eight, and Drumlane will look to take full advantage.

Verdict: Drumlane

MOUNTNUGENT V DRUNG

Saturday, Annalee Park, 5pm

Drung lost last year’s final to the eventual Ulster Champions, Denn, but they might miss out if they lose this one. Mountnugent have already qualified and it remains to be seen how seriously they’ll take this one.

Verdict: Drung

ARVA V CORLOUGH

Saturday, St Aldens Park, 5pm

WHILE Corlough have made some progress, Arva are the stronger outfit, have already qualified, and will play Division One football next year. Should make for a comfortable outing for them.

Verdict: Arva