Moving week to paint a clearer picture

Such is the nature of the four team groups in the Meath football championships that next weekend's second round of games in the SFC will prove crucial in determining club's fate for the rest of the campaign.

Another defeat for eight of the 16 teams that lost their opening round game will almost certainly condemn them to the uncertainty of the relegation battle, while victory for the first round winners should secure their place in the quarter-finals where then they'll be just three crucial games away from ultimate glory.

The opening round of the Meath SFC threw up several thrilling encounters and an avalanche of goals that will be difficult to match.

Hopefully managers won't be spooked by the free-flowing football that led to a plethora of goals in round one and slip into defensive mode, not wanting to be part of an eight-goal thriller like Ratoath and Simonstown were involved in or ship six goals like Navan O'Mahonys did against Trim.

Most of the genuine contenders for Keegan Cup honours opened their campaigns with victories, but for those such as Donaghmore/Ashbourne, St Colmcille's and Simonstown if they want to maintain their ambitions of outright success then they need to pick up wins, but that is easier said than done.

Skryne v Seneschalstown: Skryne's high hopes for the championship shipped a heavy blow in round one, and while there is no shame in losing to the defending champions they must get back to winning ways against the surprise packets from the first round, Seneschalstown, in Walterstown on Saturday (6.30pm). Seneschalstown were simply sensational in their victory over St Colmcille's and very few saw that performance coming, but the question now is about consistency - can they do it twice in a row? Skryne will have Darragh Campion back from suspension and they will be hurting, so Seneschalstown need to beware the wounded animal. This is sure to be tight and while the opening round formbook suggests a win for Seneschalstown, Skryne have enough outstanding individual qualities to bounce back. Verdict - Skryne.

St Colmcille's v Wolfe Tones: Fools, the lot of us! Pundits and predictors I mean of course. Ridiculously we wrote off Wolfe Tones before their opening round game against Skryne and after an excellent display the champions left us all with egg on our faces. Well we won't make that same mistake again, although that doesn't mean St Colmcille's haven't got a chance. The Seasiders didn't go from being the excellent side that reached the A FL Div 1A final to a poor team overnight, they have excellent attack qualities and with James Conlon back from injury they will fancy their chances at Ashbourne on Sunday (2pm). It's a brave man that will write off Wolfe Tones again, and I just ain't that brave. Verdict - Wolfe Tones.

Curraha v Trim: It is when their backs are against the wall and no one gives them a chance of survival that Curraha are at their most dangerous. After losing to Moynalvey in round one Curraha are facing down the barrel of another relegation battle and they face a tough examination of their credentials against Trim at Dunsany on Saturday (6.30pm). However a team with such outstanding players as James McEntee, Jack O'Connor, Diarmuid Moriarty, Conor Moriarty and Matthew Webb to name just a few should never be written off. Trim were comfortable when hitting O'Mahonys for six, but there was enough to suggest that there is still plenty for Kevin Reilly's side to learn at senior level. Trim should prevail, but it might be a lot closer than some people suggest. Verdict - Trim.

Navan O'Mahonys v Moynalvey: If O'Mahonys are to have any aspirations of avoiding getting sucked into the relegation battle this is simply must-win, but it is hard to see how they can manage that against a Moynalvey side who can secure their place in the last eight with a group game to spare. O'Mahonys did register their highest scoring tally in over a year when hitting 1-14 against Trim, but it was at the other end where they were exposed and Moynalvey have the firepower to inflict similar damage. Darren Fay, David Beggy, David Bray and Mark Ward are sure to have identified where O'Mahonys need to improve, but that could be a long term project and this high noon game in Skryne on Sunday could come too soon for them. Verdict - Moynalvey.

Simonstown v Gaeil Colmcille: For 40 minutes in their opening round against Donaghmore/Ashbourne Gaeil Colmcille looked like world beaters as they kicked points for fun and defended superbly. In contrast Simonstown looked all over the place in their opening half against Ratoath and that proved costly for them. Simonstown simply cannot afford to slip up again, but Gaeil Colmcille had a stern defensive resolve about them that should be capable of containing the Navan men and if Brian Hanlon and Seamus Mattimoe hit top form again they will be hard to stop at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday (6.30pm). Verdict - Gaeil Colmcille.

Donaghmore/Ashbourne v Ratoath: It just doesn't get any easier for Donaghmore/Ashbourne and after failing to overcome their slow start against Gaeil Colmcille in round one they are likely to find Ratoath an even tougher nut to crack at Dunshaughlin on Sunday (5.30pm). Ratoath were in sensational form firing five goals against Simonstown, but manager David Brady will be concerned at the high tally they conceded (3-14). If they can tighten up a little at the back Ratoath will have more than enough up top to take the spoils. Verdict - Ratoath.

Summerhill v Ballinabrackey: Ballinabrackey return to the scene of their heavy opening round loss to Na Fianna and Summerhill are unlikely to have any sympathy for them in Clonard on Saturday (6.30pm). Summerhill were effective, efficient and looked to have more in reserve when they saw off Dunboyne in round one and not only is that ominous for Ballinabrackey it sends out a warning to the other major Keegan Cup contenders. Ballinabrackey had a huge reliance on the excellent Danny Quinn for their scores against Na Fianna, so if Summerhill can snuff out his threat then they will be more than half-way there. Summerhill look to have significant strength-in-depth and they are capable of getting better and better. Verdict - Summerhill.

Na Fianna v St Peter's: Will the real St Peter's please stand up! The side we saw in the opening round against Summerhill is not the one we expect from St Peter's. Registering just six points is a pitiful return for a team of their qualities and if they want to emulate their run to last year's final then they need to rediscover their scoring touch at Kilcloon on Sunday (2pm). Na Fianna were decent, without setting the world alight, against Ballinabrackey. In Shane Walsh they have one of the top forwards in the country, so if they can shore up their rearguard they can cause Dunboyne real problems. The formbook suggests a win for Na Fianna, but St Peter's cannot be as poor again, or can they? Verdict - Na Fianna.