No more safety nets as Connacht Gold SFC knockout stages start

The safety net in the Connacht Gold Leitrim SFC has been removed as next Saturday, two teams will see their campaigns to come an abrupt end when Ballinamore's Pairc Sheain Ui Eslin hosts two  quarter finals that hold a lot of intrigue despite what many people believe will be expected outcomes.

And although it may be the final round of group games, the Smith Monumentals IFC is basically a knockout competition next Sunday afternoon - win and you can advance to the knockout stages, lose and you may be plunged into a relegation dogfight. We take a brief look at next weekend's games:

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St Mary's Kiltoghert v Leitrim Gaels: Does last Saturday's result truly mean anything? Who has the advantage? Lot of sore bodies and injuries after the game so recovering is of prime importance this week. Given that they were without more regulars, St Mary's appear to have the upper hand but Leitrim  Gaels will have taken quite a bit of heart from it. They missed enough chances to get a result as St Mary's didn't kill the game off - can they pull off  a shock? 

The Gaels  will need to offer a bit more in attack than they did last Saturday, an over-reliance on quick breakaways and long balls into the square towards the towering Conor Guckian but their tactic of withdrawing all but one player behind their own 45 frustrated St Mary's. They'll want Paddy Keane back on Saturday as it leaves them exposed in defence. 

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For Mary's, they'll want to get a few more of their first choice players back - neither Gavin or Adam Reynolds started against the Gaels, they did bring on Ben Guckian and Oisin Bohan but as well drilled as they are, you wonder if a failure to run up big scores, something that cost them in the race for the two automatic semi final spots against Mohill and Ballinamore, could come back to haunt them in a tight game.

Leitrim Gaels have the capability to do just that but the way St Mary's, even a man down for much of the second half last Sunday, held them are arm's length suggests the  a well drilled St Mary's machine  will advance.

Aughawillan v Fenagh St Caillins: Strange to think that an Aughawillan team that finished two points ahead of Fenagh in the table will be considered to be the underdogs for Saturday's second clash in Ballinamore but one of those strange twists, St Caillins are probably heading into this one as favourites. They demolished Dromahair as expected last Saturday and now the troubles of the first two games are past them, meaning they can relax when they take on Aughawillan. 

The Willies got a stern examination from Gortletteragh but their scoring power saw them home and Fenagh would be wise not to take them from granted - they are tigerish in defence and clinical in attack and in Mark Plunkett and Pearce Dolan, they have two superb standard bearers who can bend a game to their will.

If Aughawillan can make this a battle, they have more than enough to take the verdict but if Fenagh get a run on them with Ryan & Riordan O'Rourke leading the way, they could do an awful lot of damage. It will be tight early on but Fenagh have that little bit of class in attack to take the verdict. 

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Carrigallen v Drumreilly: On the face of it, this should be pretty routine for Carrigallen, top the table, against a Drumreilly team who sit at the bottom. Is there a kick left in Drumreilly? You’d expect so in a derby but with the prize of a semi-final spot, expect Carrigallen to prevail  here.

Melvin Gaels v Kiltubrid: This is a tricky one - both sides can still qualify with a loss if results go their way but they could also find themselves on the outside looking in if they don’t. Melvin Gaels got a big shock in the first round against Aughavas but have recovered impressively and they are actually the highest scoring team in the competition. Kiltubrid’s momentum took a huge hit against Drumkeerin - how they recover from that is going to decide this contest. It will be tight but I think the Gaels at home will prevail and Kiltubrid to still qualify.

Drumkeerin v Aughavas: Aughavas need a win and other results to go their way while Drumkeerin are chasing an automatic semi-final spot so plenty to fight for in this one. After the high of beating Melvin Gaels in the first round, Aughavas have stumbled with injuries taking a toll - Drumkeerin are unbeaten and have come through some very close ties. Expect the home side to take the result.

St Mary's Kiltoghert v Ballinaglera: Ballinaglera are out of the reckoning and must face into the relegation series. They’ve been very competitive in all their games but haven’t been able to get across the line. Mary’s could reach the knockout stages with a win but comparing the sides, you’ve got to think that Ballinaglera, who pushed Melvin Gaels far closer than the Carrick men did, will prevail on this occasion.

Allen Gaels v Aughnasheelin: Aughnasheelin can still qualify with a loss, providing it is not a heavy one but they come up against an Allen Gaels team who seem to be finally hitting good form just as the knockout stages approach. The Drumshanbo men have all the attributes to lift the Frank Reynolds Cup but they have got to kill off teams - this should be a good opportunity for them to do that against a difficult opponent.

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Gortletteragh v Eslin: The winner of this Group 1 game goes into the quarter-finals so a big prize but judging from the result, you’ve got to think that Eslin will just have far too much scoring power for Gortletteragh’s second string.

Cloone v Bornacoola: Group 1 winner goes straight into the semi-finals so a nice prize at stake. As first string teams, both have been impressive so far with Cloone probably the more so, their destruction of Eslin far more convincing that the Bors’ struggle past Eslin. Expect Cloone to lay down a marker here.

Glenfarne Kiltyclogher v Glencar Manorhamilton: Both are assured of their place in the knockout stages but as a derby, there is a lot at stake. Manor’s second string have been much more impressive of late but their strength may be diminished if their senior team is in action next weekend. Glenfarne have been building form slowly and that might, just, be enough but Manor have to get the nod.

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Melvin Gaels v Annaduff: The winner goes into the quarter final to face the loser of Cloone and Bornacoola so not much of a prize but current form suggests that Annaduff have that little bit more than the Kinlough men.

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Mohill v Drumkeerin: Mohill may be many people's favourite in this one but given that Drumkeerin pushed St Francis all the way last Sunday, this could be tighter than one would expect. But at home, Mohill should take the verdict.

Dromahair v St Francis: A likely preview of the final, this should be an interesting encounter - Dromahair have a plus 50 scoring difference and their tally of 10-17 against Annaduff last Sunday is staggering. St Francis came down from Senior last year and are experienced and strong but Dromahair look like a team on a mission and at home, they should take the verdict.