Moving day as Leitrim GAA Club Championship third round promises crackers

Golfers call the third day the 'moving round' and certainly for the teams in the Connacht Gold Leitrim Senior Championship this week's third round is definitely the time you want to start moving!

A few teams are in a hairy predicament - League champions St Mary's Kiltoghert are in the bottom two and badly need points but the condensed nature of the eight team competition means their final two games are against neighbours Leitrim Gaels and a Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins team who knocked them out of the championship last year in the semi-final.

County champions Mohill are in a similar situation - one win from two tough games, they now face a Fenagh St Caillins team who can seal their place in the knockout stages with a win, which would leave Mohill in desperate need of a win in their last game against Aughawillan.

The self-same Willies are in what soccer fans would call a relegation four pointer - both they and Glencar Manorhamilton have a win under their belts but a win on Thursday evening would almost certainly guarantee the winner a place in the quarter-finals.

The permutations may be endless at this point but by the time the final whistles are blown on Saturday, some teams will still be alive and others gone, making round 3 very much the 'moving round'!

THURSDAY & FRIDAY NIGHT GAMES SET FOR THIRD ROUND OF CONNACHT GOLD LEITRIM SFC

We take a brief look at the games:

CONNACHT GOLD SFC

Aughawillan v Glencar Manorhamilton: Thursday night football may seem like an anathema to some but if it suits both teams, all well and good and it should mean a good crowd. A win for either would  certainly guarantee a place in the knockout stages with the loser looking over their shoulders with  tough fourth round games to come. Manor were unlucky not to get something out of the Ballinamore game while the Willies showed great resolve to come from behind against Melvin Gaels to take the win. How both teams approach this game will be key as the pressure will tell. Keeping Barry McNulty quiet is a big ask for any team and with Jack Kelly & Evan Sweeney in good scoring form, Glencar Manor have the edge in this one.

Leitrim Gaels v St Mary’s Kiltoghert: Hard to know how both teams feel about this one - they'll relish taking on the neighbours but the stakes are very high. Leitrim Gaels have a bit more wiggle room than St Mary's - they aren't mathematically qualified yet but they are as good as in the knockout stages and that could leave them a good bit more relaxed. St Mary's will have an eye on other results but, irrespective of that, they desperately need a win. They've played well enough to win both games but a failure to close out games has cost them big time and that will add to their anxiety - they had one point to spare over the Gaels in the League but it was a close run thing. Hard to call how this goes - St Mary's have a kick in them but the formbook suggests Leitrim Gaels have a definite edge. I'll go for the Gaels but don't rule out a draw!

Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins v Melvin Gaels: Unless Melvin Gaels get a win, it is likely they are headed for the relegation playoffs - problem is Ballinamore need a win to ensure they make it through as well as they face St Mary's in the final round so they wouldn't want a relegation battle that hanging over them. Ballinamore have been slow starters but they will take a lot from the manner of their win over Manor last Saturday and the more games they get into Tom Prior & Paul Honeyman, the stronger they will be but there is a bit of pressure there. Melvin Gaels have nothing to lose - they've found the step up to Senior tough but they've competed and can cause problems. Yet you still imagine Ballinamore at home will take the verdict.

Fenagh St Caillins v Mohill: A repeat of last year's epic semi-final and a derby and a game to make a statement in. Both have games in round 4 that they believe they can win so there is a bit of fall-back room there but Fenagh and Mohill will want to send out a big message in this one. With Keith Beirne back, Mohill are a different prospect in that they will punish frees but they are still yet to completely fire and Fenagh St Caillins will feel they've got something to prove, even if they are in a better position with three points to Mohill's two. Making a prediction here seems like a fool's errand given the fluctuations in both teams' form, even within games. It is hard to bet against Mohill but Fenagh have the tools to get that statement victory they need.

LEITRIM GALES HOLD OFF BEIRNE INSPIRED MOHILL COMEBACK AS BALLINAMORE & AUGHAWILLAN PICK UP FIRST WIN

SMITH MONUMENTALS IFC

Annaduff v St Patrick’s Dromahair: This is an intriguing battle - the only meeting in round two of teams that won their first games. Annaduff are reckoned to be the dark horses in this grade but they'll want Darren Cox back in action sooner rather than later. Dromahair have always been a tough prospect at this level but they'll find Annaduff at home a tough one to crack.

Gortletteragh v Carrigallen: Both these teams need a win  after defeats in the first round. Gortletteragh had the win in the League but the margin of victory may have been distorted by goals - expectations are now higher than what they would have been for the first round so who deals best with that will win - gut says Gortletteragh but I've been wrong before!

Ballinaglera v Drumkeerin: A local derby at the top end of Lough Allen, sure to be hard fought. Drumkeerin laid down a big marker in beating Kiltubrid by 11 points while they also relegated Glera in the league so there is history. A tough game in store but Drumkeerin to take the win. 

Kiltubrid v Bornacoola: The pressure is on Kiltubrid here after a big defeat at the hands of Drumkeerin and they need to step up against a Bornacoola team who have nothing to lose. A loss could leave Kiltubrid in real relegation trouble but this one is too tight to call.  

St Mary’s Kiltoghert v Allen Gaels: You've got to think that Allen Gaels will just have far too much power and depth for St Mary's second string here.

FRESH TODAY JUNIOR B & C GRADES UP AND RUNNING

The final championships on the club scene are fully up and running next weekend with the Fresh Today Junior B & C grades in action as the Junior A takes a break, writes John Connolly.

Predicting who will do well in this competition is often a lottery - depending on who has been used by their senior teams, whether they are second or third teams or whether players are back from foreign shores yet, we often don't know what clubs have until players are out on the field.

With this competition spread out over the next six to eight weeks, the form guide is sure to fluctuate wildly making it harder to predict.

REPORT: STALEMATE LEAVES ST MARY'S & FENAGH FRUSTRATED BUT DRAW A FAIR RESULT

In the Junior B, Allen Gaels' cause may not be helped by the proximity of their first team game on Sunday and Dromahair are always formidable at this level. Ballinamore's depth should be enough to see them past Kiltubrid but Fenagh St Caillins against Gortletteragh is anyone's guess - both are capable of turning it on when they want, Fenagh get the tentative vote.

In the Fresh Today Junior C grade, Mohill have been superb at this level in recent years but in a battle of third teams, it is hard to know who holds the upper hand. Mohill have been forced to dip into their reserves at senior level and that has a knock-on effect, the Gaels tO Take the verdict.

Another local derby between Glenfarne Kilty and Glencar Manor - great to see Glenfarne having the numbers for a second team - they should be too strong for their neighbours third string.

Melvin Gaels face a fellow string  side in  Aughavas and that's a tough one to call but home advantage may be enough to swing it the way of the Kinlough men.