Royal champions hoping to go one step beyond in the Leinster Club SFC quarter-final clash
Four weeks on from their triumph over Donaghmore/Ashbourne, Wolfe Tones will kick-start their provincial campaign at the same venue where they lifted their third Keegan Cup when on Sunday, Shane McCoy’s charges will face An Tochar from Wicklow at 1.30pm in the Leinster Club SFC quarter-final at Ashbourne.
Despite Meath teams abysmal record in the Leinster Club SFC, Wolfe Tones will be warm favourites to at least get over this hurdle. However, the side that won their first Wicklow SFC in 31 years do have some good assets in their ranks.
It is widely known in Meath that Wolfe Tones’ best line is their half-forward line consisting of Saran O Fionnagain, Thomas O’Reilly and Caolan Ward. Coincidentally, An Tochar’s two most talented players in Gavin Fogerty and Matt Nolan operate in the half-back line. So if An Tochar have any chance of causing an upset against the Meath champions, they will need their key men to do a job on O Fionnagain, O’Reilly and Ward.
Up front, Conor Fee seems to be the dangerman for the Wicklow side and he scored 10 points in the 0-21 to 1-7 Wicklow SFC final win over Blessington. You would have to imagine that Wolfe Tones' strong defence will be able to cope with Fee and whatever else they throw at the Kilberry outfit from an attacking perspective. The Tones are odds on favourites with the bookies. It is difficult to see any other outcome other than Wolfe Tones advancing to the semi-final to take on the winners of The Downs against Kilanerin from Wexford.
Anthony Malone’s Duleek-Bellewstown were less than convincing in their victory over Kilkenny side Mullinavat in their Leinster Club IFC opener but they can’t dwell on that performance too much as they are straight back into it this Saturday against Milltown from Kildare in Newbridge at 1.30pm.
Kildare IFC champions have a savage recent record in this competition as they have won the last three renewals. Allenwood won it 2023, Caragh beat Meath Hill and went onto to claim provincial glory in 2024 and last year Sallins made light work of Kilbride on their way to cruising to the Leinster IFC title.
Milltown look ready-made to take the Leinster Club IFC by storm and they certainly looked impressive in their opening-round clash against Mostrim from Longford. They only conceded one point, from a free, on their way to a comprehensive 2-18 to 0-1 victory.
Duleek-Bellewstown are a talented outfit with plenty of good quality players, particularly around the middle third in the likes of Robin Clarke, Shane Crosby and Sam O’Leary but they are going to need massive performances from all those and the rest if they are going to stun Milltown.
After receiving a walkover in the opening round, Curraha will take the pitch for the first time in the Leinster Club JFC when they play St Joseph's from Westmeath in Skryne on Saturday at 1.30pm.
St Joseph's had to dig deep to get the better of The Downs second-string side in the Westmeath JFC final. Dean Slevin, Ros Elliffe and their captain Jordan McDonnell are all talented forwards and they could cause the Curraha defence some issues.
Curraha are currently favourites to lift the Cup named in honour of the late member of An Garda Siochana and Ratoath man Sean Eiffe.
They should have enough to get the better of the side based in Streamstown, Mullingar.