Castletown look like the best bet for junior title
JFC PREVIEW No margin for error in race for silverware
Predicting the winner of the JFC can be a devilishly difficult thing to do. So many teams of fairly equal strength, so many variables, imponderables, unforseen events.
It's much the same this time around except that the prospects of one team taking home the Peter McDermott Cup stand out like a lighthouse beacon in the gloom of a north Atlantic night. That team is Castletown.
They are burdened with our weighty tag of favourties - even red-hot favourites - partly they were relegated from the Intermediate ranks last year.
Partly because they are surely too strong for this division.
After all only a few years ago Castletown were live contenders for the IFC itself, semi-finalists in 2019.
They lost out to Walterstown in the 2020 Corn na Boinne final the other week - that should make them even more motivated to land the McDermott Cup.
They are in this year's Tailteann Cup final with St Vincent's their opponents although that is unlikely to be played for some time yet.
They have players such as Kevin Ross and Darren Finney who should thrive at junior level. Castletown, of course, are also managed by Colm Coyle, someone who knows a thing or two about what's required for championship success.
Not that's easy to get out of the junior ranks. There are banana skins strewn everywhere and while Castletown will be favourites there is no shortage of teams only too eager - and capable - of lowering those famous green and gold colours.
In this year's JFC three teams will emerge from each of the three groups into the knock-out phase.
This is a big year for many clubs in the JFC because three teams will be relegated from the IFC followed by another three in 2023 so winning the third-tier title will become increasingly more difficult.
For a number of teams this is their chance. It's now or never.
Castletown find themselves in Group A along with Kilbride, St Vincent's and Cortown.
No matter what way you look at it Castletown and St Vincent's would have to be considered main contenders to earn their passports to the knock-out stages.
St Vincent's have changed managers with Hugh Dorrigan replacing Ronan Kearns who helpedre-energised the club during his spell in charge.
The Saints, bolstered by their recent success in winning the 2020 Tailteann Cup final are sure to remain a formidable force.
They will be driven by the desire to make up for losing out in last year's JFC decider to Ballivor. On a wet day in Pairc Tailteann St Vincent's just didn't perform.
That will have hurt. They are a team on an upward trajectory.
Another team likely to be in the shake up for the silverware is Carnaross who are in Group B along with Boardsmill, Kilmainhamwood and St Brigid's.
Carnaross's championship hopes were splintered last year by a defeat to Ballivor but they made life difficult for the eventual champions.
They should top their group with Boardsmill and St Brigid's also qualifying.
Then there is Group C containing St Ultan's, Moynalty, Slane and Dunsany.
Ah yes Dunsany. The club has suffered more than most in recent times in their attempts to win a cherished JFC.
So much hope, so many setbacks. Enough disappointment to do down any club - for good - but here they are again real contenders for the big prize.
They put up a concerted, ferocious effort in last year's semi-final against St Vincent's yet still, somewhat unfortunately, lost out.
Another year gone, more cherished hopes cruelly dashed. In this year's Tailteann Cup Dunsany - under joint managers Shane Waldron and Sean Cummins - have certainly hit the highs and experienced the lows. They lost 0-3 to 1-14 to St Vincent's while they defeated Carnaross 0-14 to 1-8. Which team will show up for the championship?
Moynalty, who are managed by Tony Kearney, are sure to be awkward opponents. Formidable.
They bowed out of last year's championship when they were defeated by St Vincent's but they are capable of chalking up a win on any given day.
They, and last year's beaten semi-finalists, St Ultan's should also emerge from the group.
The other team in the mix, Slane, who are improving side, could struggle to pick up the wins they seek in a very competitive environment.
JFC
Group A - Castletown v Kilbride, St Vincent's v Cortown.
Group B - Boardsmill v Carnaross, Kilmainhamwood v St Brigid's.
Group C - Dunsany v St Ultan's, Moynalty v Slane.