Champions on course for three-in-a-row

For those with Keegan Cup ambitions there is no more room for errors.

One more off day, one slip-up, one lack of concentration, one wrong decision could have dire consequences as the Meath SFC reaches the quarter-final stage with eight genuine contenders still in the hunt for overall honours.

St Colmcille's are the surprise package amongst those eight, but they are fully deserving of their quarter-final spot and their progression is another indication of the growth continuing in that part of the county.

As expected the three big guns, champions Ratoath, last year's runners-up Gaeil Colmcille and perennial challengers Dunboyne are still in the hat, while Summerhill are focused on making amends for losing the 2017, 2018 and 2019 finals.

Wolfe Tones and Na Fianna aren't exactly dark horses, but for one of them their journey will end on Saturday.

It promises to be another thrilling weekend of action with the SFC relegation picture also expected to become a little clearer with three quarter-final play-offs down for decision to determine who will join Navan O'Mahonys in the last four to decide the one team to be relegated.

Strap yourselves in folks, it's going to be a hectic weekend.

QUARTER-FINALS

St Colmcille's v Dunboyne: Group B was considered by most to be the 'weakest' of the four, but it was also one of the most competitive with all four teams harbouring genuine ambitions of qualification before St Colmcille's were the ones to emerge, just behind Na Fianna.

In contrast Dunboyne were always expected to advance from Group D, but as it transpired that journey wasn't without a hiccup or two as Conor O'Donoghue's side were held to a draw by Skryne in the opening round.

Since that minor setback Dunboyne have recovered well and tallied up 4-20 in their 20-point drubbing of Seneschalstown before easily seeing off Summerhill to secure top spot.

St Colmcille's only blip on their qualification record came in round two when two goals were the difference between them and Na Fianna.

Despite that loss, St Colmcille's can take plenty of positives from their wins over Ballinabrackey where they scored 4-17 and from the 4-21 they amassed against Curraha.

Scoring certainly isn't an issue for any side with the likes of James Conlon, Ben Brennan and Graham Reilly in their ranks, but the concession of six goals in their three games will be a concern for the Seasiders.

If there is one team in the championship capable of exploiting any defensive weaknesses it is Dunboyne, and it is because of their overall threat, coupled with a strong defensive package and a drive from midfield that will give Dunboyne the edge in Ashbourne on Friday night, 8pm. Verdict - Dunboyne.

Donaghmore/Ashbourne v Gaeil Colmcille: It is one of the few anomalies of the Meath SFC that a team can scramble just two points in the group stages and still qualify for the quarter-finals, while in other groups both Ballinabrackey and Skryne managed three points, but find themselves in relegation trouble!

However, that is hardly Donaghmore/Ashbourne's fault and by virtue of their win over Dunshaughlin in round three they find themselves in the last eight on scoring difference ahead of Dunshaughlin and Navan O'Mahonys.

That form suggests Donaghmore/Ashbourne's journey through the knockout stages will be a short one.

They lost to Navan O'Mahonys in round one and yet its the Brews Hill men who stand two steps away from the edge of relegation to the IFC. There was a marked improvement against the champions Ratoath in round two, but again another defeat.

The win over Dunshaughlin showed yet more promise and with a well-balanced side they are capable of producing a shock or two, but Gaeil Colmcille will have too much for them in Pairc Tailteann on Saturday, 4pm.

The Kells men are still smarting from their heartbreaking loss to Ratoath in the 2020 decider, but they are not wallowing in self-pity.

There were still signs of a slight hangover from that disappointment when they failed to fire on all cylinders and were held to a draw by Wolfe Tones in round one, but since then they have scored 3-15 against Moynalvey and 1-19 against Simonstown - no easy feats.

Gaeil Colmcille look to be back to their best and with such attacking flair they will be too strong for Donaghmore/Ashbourne. Verdict - Gaeil Colmcille.

Wolfe Tones v Na Fianna: What is it about Wolfe Tones that flatters to deceive in recent years? Consistently one of the best teams in the group stages of the SFC, but when it gets to the big games they stutter and fall.

Even as recently as last week they lost out in the Feis Cup final to a Simonstown side they had beaten by a collective margin of 27 points in their two meetings in the previous two months.

At the restart of action this year they were comprehensively beaten by Gaeil Colmcille in the 2020 Feis Cup decider. In a must-win game in last year's SFC against Summerhill they also came up short.

Their last 'big' win in a do-or-die game came in 2017 when they edged out Ratoath after extra-time in the quarter-final, but then they lost the next time out against Simonstown.

Last week's Feis Cup final defeat will be a serious blow to their confidence. They looked a pale shadow of the side that went through their SFC group unbeaten with that 10-point win over Simonstown and a six-point victory over Moynalvey.

The spark just wasn't there last week. Maybe it was the concession of three early goals that deflated them? Maybe it was the fact that they had their eyes on a bigger prize? Either way manager Micheal McDermott must be worried.

Na Fianna have also marched through their group unbeaten and weren't distracted by any major setback in the last couple of weeks.

Wins over Curraha and St Colmcille's were expected as was a win over neighbours Ballinabrackey, but they only managed a draw in that clash. That game was of little or no consequence, so Na Fianna are unlikely to read too much into it.

This meeting in Trim on Saturday at 4.30pm promises to be tight, but unless Wolfe Tones rediscover their form they could find themselves edged out again in another crucial game. Verdict - Na Fianna.

Ratoath v Summerhill: Two years ago Summerhill were favourites to beat Ratoath in the 2019 SFC final and end a run of two successive final defeats. However, the heartbreak continued that day for Summerhill and it is likely to continue in Pairc Tailteann on Sunday, 4pm.

While defending champions Ratoath have strolled into the last eight unbeaten and without a major test of their credentials, Summerhill have stutters at times and struggled to show the attacking flair we had become accustomed to.

The loss of Barry Dardis was a huge blow to Summerhill, but the emergence of 2020 Meath minor captain Eoghan Frayne has been a bright point for new manager Pascal Kellaghan. However despite Frayne's excellence Summerhill lack enough punch to worry Ratoath.

Undoubtedly Summerhill will make it difficult for the champions. They can be difficult to breakdown, but Ratoath's pace and power will cause them too many problems.

Seneschalstown managed to find away through to fire 2-9, while Skryne score 1-12 against them, and both those sides are in relegation trouble.

There were signs of more defensive fortitude when conceding 'just' 1-13 against high-flying Dunboyne and that will be the type of resolve Summerhill will need against Ratoath.

However that defensive fortitude comes at an attacking price. Kellaghan's side scored just six points against Dunboyne and therein lies the problem.

Six points, or even three times that tally, might not be good enough against a free-flowing powerful Ratoath unit.

Ratoath scored 1-18 against Dunshaughlin, 2-12 against Donaghmore/Ashbourne and 1-15 against Navan O'Mahonys, so it is anticipated Summerhill will need at least 18 points to stand a chance and they will most likely fall short of that target. Verdict - Ratoath.

SFC RELEGATION

Seneschalstown v Dunshaughlin: Despite managing just one win in their group stage Dunshaughlin missed out on a place in the quarter-finals on scoring difference alone.

Now they must refocus to take on a Seneschalstown that faded in their final group game against Skryne. Expect Dunshaughlin to survive this one in Skryne on Friday at 8pm. Verdict - Dunshaughlin.

Curraha v Skryne: It has all gone horribly wrong for Curraha this year. They have yet to win a game in either Feis Cup of championship and while Skryne haven't exactly set the world alight either, they should be too strong in Dunshaughlin on Sunday at 1pm. Verdict - Skryne.

Ballinabrackey v Simonstown: Ballinabrackey must have watched last week's Feis Cup final from behind their fingers. Before that game they would have fancied their chances against an out of sorts Simonstown, but the Navan men look to be hitting form just in time to survive a relegation battle. It will be tight in Trim on Sunday (3pm), but Simonstown are bouncing again. Verdict - Simonstown.