Hard to look beyond expected wins for Slane and St Vincent's

What started as 12 has been reduced to six in the race for the Peter McDermott Cup with the vast majority of the pre-championship favourites still standing, writes Davy Rispin.

Dunderry are the big-name absentee with Leo Turley’s side too slow into stride and will need to instead navigate their way out of the dreaded relegation play-offs.

Ballinlough and Curraha, the best two group winners from the three, advance directly to the semi-finals with Gavin Coyle and Stephen Morgan’s east Meath troops the current odds-on favourites to regain their place in the intermediate grade at the first attempt.

Moylagh v Slane: Despite relinquishing their semi-final ticket following their surprise defeat to Dunderry, Martin Barrett’s Slane will see this as the perfect opportunity to get back on track against Moylagh. Slane were beaten in last year’s semi-final having taken the direct route and looked slightly off the pace in that loss to eventual winners Clann na nGael.

On the other hand, Peadar Byrne has guided Moylagh to a second consecutive quarter-final despite losing their opening two rounds. Victory by the margin required against St Mary’s was enough to see the North Meath club through and in Sean Reilly, Daragh Tuite, Shane, Darren and Nathan Gibney they have potential matchwinners, but Slane should be too strong.

Verdict: Slane.

St Ultan’s v St Vincent’s: A rematch of their memorable semi-final clash of 2021, a game which St Vincent’s won by a point after extra-time. St Ultan’s have undoubtedly been the surprise package of the 2026 renewal, impressively qualifying from a group they would have been favourites to finish bottom of by beating Dunderry and Syddan.

This will be the acid test for Darren Fay’s young St Ultan's side as they come up against a seasoned St Vincent’s side who are determined to prove that there is still life in the old dog. Spearheaded by Michael McIvor and Conor O’Brien, last year’s beaten finalists drew with neighbours Curraha on the opening weekend before seeing off Carnaross and St Brigid’s. The Ardcath men should just about have too much for their fellow Saints.

Verdict: St Vincent’s

Dunderry v St Mary’s: A painfully slow start to the campaign cost Dunderry, leaving them with a feeling of what might have been following their sensational recent win over Slane. As a result, they should have far too much for St Mary’s who like Kilbride further up the grades, are finding life difficult following the heroics of 2025 and look destined for an immediate return to the basement grade. The losers of this one will have one more chance against St Brigid's.

Verdict: Dunderry.