GAA club championship focus - the verdicts

Meath Chronicle sports editor Conall Collier assesses the GAA club football championship action for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

FRIDAY 

Summerhill v Wolfe Tones:

A big crowd from the Kilberry, Wilkinstown, Gibbstown and Oristown areas will descend on Simonstown for this showdown against Summerhill who are already qualified. The calculations are simple - a win or a draw will get Wolfe Tones into the knock-out phase, a defeat could still see them qualify on scoring difference (currently plus 29) at the expense of Donaghmore / Ashbourne. That's the most likely outcome, Summerhill to win by a point and Donaghmore / Ashbourne to win by about 20 points. Verdict - Summerhill.

Gaeil Colmcille v Rathkenny:

Not a lot to play for in this one for either side as Rathkenny are safe and Gaeil Colmcille are qualified. On that basis, and the fact that Gaeil Colmcille manager Lar Wall might use the game to experiment ahead of the knock-out phase, Rathkenny could shade it. Supporters will need to allow some extra travelling time to get to Meath Hill, a club with top class facilities accessed by a narrow road. Verdict - Rathkenny.

Duleek/Bellewstown v Donaghmore/Ashbourne:

Nothing at stake for Duleek / Bellewstown in this one, they are already assured of a place in the relegation play-offs. However, Donaghmore / Ashbourne need to win by a big margin and hope that Wolfe Tones lose. Verdict - Donaghmore / Ashbourne.

SATURDAY

Seneschalstown v Navan O'Mahonys:

What a challenge for Seneschalstown. Their supporters will be looking for another 'Joe Show' at Páirc Tailteann as they bid to send Navan O'Mahonys crashing out of the championship. A draw will suffice for O'Mahonys, but that's not a likely outcome. 
My money will be on O'Mahonys to issue a statement of intent and show some of the form that they have failed to deliver at any stage this year, a win by a least five points is forecast. Verdict - Navan O'Mahonys.

Moynalvey v St Colmcille's:

Survival is on the cards for St Colmcille's against already qualified Moynalvey. A win will keep them in the senior grade, provided Blackhall gaels don't win by about 15 points. St Colmcille's to survive, a defeat will also sustain them provided Blackhall lose, which is likely. Verdict - St Colmcille's.

Simonstown Gaels v Blackhall Gaels:

No chance for Blackhall in this one as the defending champions begin to fine-tune their plans for the knock-out phase. Verdict - Simonstown Gaels

Longwood v Drumbaragh:

A big test for both clubs at Trim where the winner will survive in the IFC for another year, the bad news for Drumbaragh is that they will finish second again, like so many other times this year. Verdict - Longwood.

Syddan v Walterstown:

Syddan need to win and also need a series of favourable results to stay in the IFC title race. They should be good enough to negotiate Walterstown, but forget about the favourable results. Verdict - Syddan.

St Ultan's v Donaghmore/Ashbourne:

Another IFC reversal on the cards for St Ultan's. Verdict - Donaghmore / Ashbourne.

Oldcastle v Nobber:

Oldcastle will keep that winning IFC feeling when they tackle Nobber at Moynalty. Verdict - Oldcastle.

Moylagh v Wolfe Tones;

Moylagh have come in under the radar and should have enough resources to handle Wolfe Tones in this JFC quarter-final at Ballinlough. Verdict - Moylagh.

Dunboyne v Clonard:

Clonard are shaping up nicely and will just about survive the challenge that Dunboyne will pose in this JFC quarter-final at Summerhill. Verdict - Clonard.

Drumconrath v Carnaross:

A disappointing weekend for the football teams around Drumconrath and Meath Hill is forecast. Stuttering Carnaross to produce a fluent display at Pairc Tailteann and advance to the last four of the JFC. Verdict - Carnaross.

Kilbride v Slane,;

Kilbride will be too strong for Slane: Verdict - Kilbride.

SUNDAY

Dunboyne v Ratoath: Nothing at stake here except top spot in the group and based on previous outings and results, Dunboyne should be capable of making the summit. Verdict - Dunboyne.

Skryne v Dunshaughlin:

The big game of the championship as far as these teams are concerned. For the winner there is the prospect of senior football in 2018, but the loser will be plunged into a relegation play-off series of games against Duleek / Bellewstown and one of Blackhall Gaels or St Colmcille's. That's the reality for the former kingpins of senior football. Consistently underperforming this year is a label that can be applied to both teams and it's likely that Skryne will have enough in the tank in this confrontation at Trim on Sunday to win. 
That will send Dunshaughlin and manager Anthony Moyles into the play-offs. 
Dunshaughlin had survival in sight against St Patrick's in the last outing, but were unable to grind out a result. That trait will surface again when they tackle Skryne. Verdict - Skryne.

St Patrick's v Na Fianna:

A real opportunity for a team that hasn't won in four outings to claim a place in the knock-out phase of the Meath SFC. 
Would that be good for the Meath SFC? 
If Na Fianna can negotiate St Patrick's then they will qualify with a win and two draws. That is an adequate description of the Meath SFC. However, St Patrick's will be eager to build on the encouraging performance they delivered against Dunshaughlin in the last round and that should see the Stamullen men progress. Verdict - St Patrick's.

Trim v Ballinlough;

Trim can top the IFC group with a win against unbeaten Ballinlough. Verdict - Trim.

Dunderry v St Michael's;

Goodnight to Dunderry's IFC aspirations after this joust against St Michael's. Verdict - St Michael's.

Kilmainham v Bective:

A top class IFC encounter on the cards and a win for Bective would put them in the knock-out phase. They should keep the run going. Verdict - Bective,

Ballinabrackey v Castletown:

The Ballinabrackey men need to win and they should be able to achieve that goal in this IFC encouner against Castletown. Verdict - Ballinabrackey.

Curraha v Ballivor:

Easy one for Curraha against IFC relegation candidates Ballivor. Verdict - Curraha. 

Meath Hill v Summerhill;

Meath Hill will be expected to win this one, but based on the evidence of Summerhill's prelimianry quarter-final win against Dunsany, it won't go according to plan. A blend of expereince and promising young players will provide the ammunition for a Summerhill victory. Verdict - Summerhill.

Gaeil Colmcille v Boardsmill:

Gaeil Colmcille's run in the Junior B will end at this hurdle when they face a Boardsmill side that will pose too many questions at Kildalkey. Verdict - Boardsmill.