Close encounters expected in fourth tier semis

JUNIOR B FC PREVIEWS

TOMMY MATTHEWS

Three out of last year’s four Junior B semi-finalists are back into the penultimate stages of the 2025 renewal hoping that this might be their year to make the jump out of the basement grade.

Moynalty, Kilmainhamwood and St Mary’s are joined by Cortown who replace last year’s eventual winners Carnaross in the last four.

With no quarter-finals, the final four all negotiated their groups as expected with only one or two scares along the way. The most notable was 2024 beaten finalists Moynalty who squeezed by a resurgent Boardsmill in the second round. Had Evan Dixon’s goal attempt in the final play gone underneath the crossbar as opposed to a few inches over it, Derek O’Brien’s side would not have made it back to this stage.

Following a lacklustre group stage campaign, a morale boosting performance which ended in stalemate against St Mary’s will have Moynalty in confident mood heading into a semi-final dual with neighbours Kilmainhamwood at Nobber on Sunday, 11.30am. The return of Liam Brogan, Ollie Sheridan, Bryan McCormack and Kian Lynch from injury is a significant boost for O’Brien’s charges.

Their opponents Kilmainhamwood were edged out at this stage last year by winners Carnaross after extra time and with Sean Carolan once again at the helm, it does feel as though their time could be now.

Spearheaded by Darragh Smith, Brian Cassidy, Niall Conlon and Meath under-20 star Rian Stafford, the 'Wood topped Group B by virtue of a superior score-difference to Cortown who they drew with in the final group stage game.

The other semi sees a rematch of a round one encounter in 2024 when St Mary’s got a psychological monkey off their back by beating Cortown in Paddy O’Brien Park.

The sides renew acquaintances at the same venue this Friday night, 8pm. The Donore side will start as favourites having contested the Tailteann Shield (beating Cortown on route) and collecting League silverware also.

Far more defensively strong than last year, Nicky Gogan’s side have a plethora of youth dotted across the field. The versatility of players like Sean Nulty and Joey Greene could well be vital if they are to seal a final berth.

Cortown endured a slow start to 2025 with lingering injuries gradually clearing up as the year progressed. Killinkere native Martin McGovern is in year three of the project and it feels like it is now or never for the north Meath side.

They will look to for Hugh Staunton for inspiration but Jake Coyne and the Smith brothers Tommy and Oísin are potential match-winners on their day.

Two intriguing clashes with all four sides playing and drawing against each other in the final round of group games indicates two evenly matched and hard-fought games to come this weekend.