Trim and Oldcastle have the quality to advance

His 1-5 against Duleek/Bellewstown is another indication he's right back on form this year

The IFC is a very difficult championship to win and this year will see the eagerly-awaited semi-finals scheduled for a Bank Holiday Monday at Pairc Tailteann.

A lot of things have to go a team's way to emerge from the pile.

Ability and a sizeable dollop of good fortune are right up there in terms of qualities required. There are four teams still in contention and they will be looking to take the next big step in their quests for success over the weekend.

But what teams will make it through? That question will be answered this weekend when Trim take on Walterstown and Oldcastle battle against Rathkenny in the semi-finals.

There are other issues to be decided too. Who, for example, will make the drop from the intermediate ranks?

There are a series of play-offs planned to decide that issue too. Many heart-stopping moments promised.

PREDICTIONS

Trim v Walterstown: Trim went so close to finally claiming the IFC last year only to come up against a battled-hardened Ballinabrackey outfit in the final that found a way to win.

They could, arguably should have won. No doubt fired up by the desire to make up for that setback Trim have once more mounted a sustained campaign.

They earned their place in the last four with as comprehensive a victory as any team could hope to garner in the quarter-finals.

Their 4-18 to 0-8 victory over Dunderry told a tale of a team on the crest of a wave, playing fluid, purposeful football - and devastating when they get the ball to their formidable forward division.

That division includes players like Aaron Lynch, who hit 3-8 in that Dunderry game, as well as Mikey Cullen. Trim have pace, loads of talent, but they have experience too In players like Alan Douglas and James Toher.

Walterstown have steadily moved through the championship picking up some impressive results such as the 1-13 to 1-11 win over Clann na nGael.

The Blacks were fortunate Clann na nGael missed decent chances, but the important thing is they stayed in the game - and won. Next day out Walterstown were in swashbuckling form, defeating Blackhall Gaels 2-14 to 0-5 in the last eight. Easy.

The Blacks have plenty of players too such as Ruairi O'Dowd and Barry O'Connell who can punish opponents yet in this contest they take on the form team in the championship. Verdict - Trim.

Oldcastle v Rathkenny: Oldcastle completed their group games with a +12 scoring difference, just one point ahead of Walterstown, their place at the top copperfastened by a obvious ability to convert chances into goals.

They scored seven goals in their group matches, two in the 'great escape' against Meath Hill, three against Syddan and two against Walterstown.

In the quarter-final against Nobber they once more displayed a clinical ruthlessness, winning by 4-8 to 1-10.

Robbie Farrelly and Jason Scully are just two of the forwards who can translate opportunities into scores.

The Rathkenny defence will have to devise a strategy to contain them. Rathkenny are motoring along like a well-oiled machine.

They won all their group games chalking up some notable results such as a 2-15 to 0-7 win over St Michael's. All reports suggest a team full of confidence, in top condition, ambitious. Keith Curtis has now established himself as a real presence in the team, notching up nine points in the 1-16 to 0-9 quarter-final win over Duleek/Bellewstown.

Caolach Halligan was in the Meath senior panel a few years ago until injury hampered him.

Rathkenny have their reasons to be hopeful but Oldcastle can edge this one and advance. Verdict - Oldcastle.

RELEGATION PLAY-OFFS

St Patrick's v Moylagh: Big game for both sides as they seek to retain their intermediate status.

Moylagh can take some encouragement from some of their performances in Group A when they ran Clann na nGael close, only losing by a point, 1-6 to 1-7.

Yet next time out they were lost 1-10 to 2-15 against Longwood and finished without a point. St Pat's at least got a point in their group (they drew 2-9 all with Bective) and defeated Ballinlough, 0-14 to 0-8, in the relegation play-off. They can win again. Verdict - St Patrick's.

Kilmainham v Syddan: Both teams had forgettable campaigns, but the statistics suggest Kilmainham have a more porous defence. Their scoring difference in Group D was -36 while in Group C Syddan finished bottom with a scoring difference of -12 and arguably and they were in a more demanding group. Syddan might get the scores they require here. Verdict - Syddan.

FIXTURE DETAILS

FRIDAY 22nd OCTOBER

Moynalty - Kilmainham v Syddan, IFC relegation play-off, 8pm, extra-time and finish.

SATURDAY 23rd OCTOBER

Walterstown - St Patrick’s v Moylagh, IFC relegation play-off, 4pm, extra-time and finish.

MONDAY 25th OCTOBER

Navan - Trim v Walterstown, IFC semi-final, 1pm; Oldcastle v Rathkenny, IFC semi-final, 3pm, extra-time and finish.