Favourites clash the highlight of third round in Sweeney Oil LGFA SFC

Next Sunday sees the midway point of the Sweeney Oil LGFA Senior Championship and a massive clash with reigning champions Glencar Manorhamilton facing perennial rivals St Joseph's in a huge clash, writes John Connolly.

Both teams had major scares last Sunday - Glencar Manorhamilton needing a few late goals to get the better of Ballinamore, the five point margin perhaps hiding what a struggle the game was while St Joseph's pulled off a miraculous victory against St Francis in a 1-18 to 3-11 encounter in Aughavas.

Leading by a point going into injury time, St Francis had a penalty but a double save from Bronagh O'Rourke in the St Joseph's goal proved vital as the home side broke downfield for Kate Gormley to convert a free to tie the scores. Incredibly, Joseph's then grabbed the victory with another point to break St Francis hearts.

Kiltubrid, Ballinamore, St Francis and St Mary's have all tested the big two in ways not many expected but perhaps the sight of each other next Sunday will lift both teams as they want to lay down a marker ahead of the knockout stages.

St Joseph's are hitting incredible scores but the concession of goals has been a problem while  slow starts have been the bane of Manor's existence. Hard to know how this clash will go as they both bring out the best in each other.

MOVING DAY AS LEITRIM GAA CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP THIRD ROUND PROMISES CRACKERS

The other games are huge games in terms of reaching the semi-finals - both Kiltubrid and St Francis are without a win but they've done enough in games to get something out of them, their second round displays much better and they will take some stopping.

St Francis welcome St Mary's to Drumshanbo for a game that is intriguing - the Carrick women rode their luck against Kiltubrid but they are able to create frees and even on one leg, Michelle Guckian is a deadly finisher. They are also missing some key players and that could tell.

The Allen Gaels & Ballinaglera combo rue missed chances against Ballinamore but if they can improve their accuracy, they could pick up a win here and they certainly have the physical power.

Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins and Kiltubrid has always been a toss up - both tested Glencar Manor to the limit but the Ballinamore outfit probably have a better edge in goal scoring. Kiltubrid can create a lot of scores but Ballinamore's ability to find the net, with seven goals in two games the most in the senior grade, could prove the difference. 

The Intermediate grade is also hotting up nicely - with five teams in the competition, one team is inactive each round and last weekend, it was St Brigid's turn to miss out as two high scoring games saw Dromahair and Drumkeerin lay down big markers.

Dromahair had seven points to spare over Mohill, winning 3-12 to 1-11, while Drumkeerin scored a remarkable 8-10 to 4-13 victory over Fenagh in an encounter that must have kept the scoreboard operator very busy! Mohill beat Fenagh by a point in the first round but have a break next weekend.

St Brigid's, always among the favourites here, travel to take on a strong Drumkeerin and you'd expect the home side to take the victory. The same goes for Dromahair who hosted Fenagh in St Osnat's, the north Leitrim women probably the favourites at this very early stage.

In the Junior grade, Annaduff and Leitrim Gaels are top of the table with two wins from two. The Gaels beat their neighbours St Mary's 3-12 to 2-6 while Annaduff got a walkover from Dromahair's second string team. Next weekend, Melvin Gaels should have enough to get by Mary's second string but not without a tough battle while Leitrim Gaels should pick up a third win against Dromahair's second team.

The big game is the meeting of Keeldra Gaels and Annaduff - Keeldra have just one game played, against Dromahair's second string team, but they have a good rivalry with Annaduff, both of them facing each other in Junior Finals in recent years. It will be tight but Annaduff appears to have the firepower to take the win.