Line between joy & despair grows thinner at knockout stages in Leitrim GAA Club Championships

The line between joy and despair grows ever finer with the arrival of  the first knockout games of this year's club championship next weekend in the Connacht Gold SFC and the Sweeney Oil LGFA IFC, although I'm sure it feels in other competitions that we're at the knockout stage already!

The Senior men's quarter finals are the weekend's big draw with rumours flying around of players returning from foreign shores but in the Intermediate men's grades, six teams are battling to avoid the Smith Monumentals IFC Relegation series with three teams destined for the drop to the Junior grade next year.

 In the Sweeney Oil LGFA Senior grade, Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins and St Mary's Kiltoghert are in a straight shootout to avoid the relegation final while the Ladies also sees a place in the Intermediate Final up for grabs, the first of the club championship season.

CONNACHT GOLD SFC QUARTER-FINALS

Glencar Manorhamilton v Mohill: This time last year, you'd have got long odds on this game because nobody would expect Mohill to be in the quarter finals - the champions are there now and they face an intriguing Glencar Manorhamilton who have shocked  a few teams along the way.

Both teams are seemingly simple to analyse - stop Keith Beirne and Mohill are in trouble, stop Barry McNulty and the same for Glencar Manorhamilton. That does a disservice to their teammates but there is a kernel of truth in it as well and you can be sure both rival management teams will be coming up with plans to restrict their opponent's star man.

SUPER SUNDAY ON THE CARDS FIXTURES REVEALED FOR CONNACHT GOLD SFC QUARTER FINALS

Mohill have been boosted by the return of Jordan Reynolds, a goal scorer against Aughawillan, but they will still be worried that they struggled against the Willies and Glencar Manor will note how the Willies got at the champions.

Both teams played Leitrim Gaels, Mohill losing by two points while Manor lost by seven but last Saturday's game was a free hit in many ways. That will continue this weekend as many see Glencar Manorhamilton, with a young developing team, in bonus territory and Mohill the favourites.

Hard to argue with that analysis but it may turn into an old-fashioned battle of the stars and who delivers more. It will be tight and while I wouldn't be surprised by a Manor win, Mohill get the nod.

Aughawillan v Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins: A derby with a storied history, this game captures a lot of the challenges in Leitrim football at the moment with a small rural club coming up against a powerhouse town team - on that basis alone, Ballinamore are hot favourites but the Willies have a rich history of upsetting the odds.

Are Aughawillan as strong as they have been in the past? Probably not as you can't lose Mark Plunkett, Pearce Dolan or Gary Plunkett and not expect some blowback but the emergence of Jamie & Tom Plunkett has eased that burden quite a bit. 

The Plunkett brothers will take watching in attack but the boys in blue come up against a Ballinamore team who seem to hitting form at just the right time if their demolition of St Mary's is anything to go by, although there is a danger in reading too much into that.

O'Heslins were helped by a rigid St Mary's attack that allowed them to turn over the ball and hit on the break - they won't have that with Aughawillan and they'll be the team invited to break themselves upon a defensive wall. But Ballinamore's attack looked potent and varied, even with Paul Honeyman scoring 1-8 on the day.

Local rivalry makes this a riveting clash but you've got to expect Ballinamore's form and strength in depth will carry the day next Saturday evening.

SMITH MONUMENTALS IFC

Drumkeerin v St Patrick’s Dromahair: An automatic semi-final spot is a big prize whatever about local bragging rights. Both beat Ballinaglera by similar margins but Dromahair   have had a slightly harder passage so far and Drumkeerin were lucky to get past St Mary's - tough to call but if pushed for a verdict, Dromahair to shade it but not with overwhelming confidence.

Gortletteragh v Kiltubrid: A must win for both teams if they are to avoid the bottom four. Kiltubrid can survive with a draw if Bornacoola don't win but at home, and given their superior defence, you have to think that Gortletteragh will shade it - whether that is enough is hard to know.

Annaduff v St Mary’s Kiltoghert: Annaduff have an outside chance of reaching the semi-finals if Dromahair win and Annaduff exceed Dromahair's scoring tally. Will be interesting to see if Annaduff risk Darren Cox who is close to a return - they should have too much for Mary's but the Carrick men are no longer burdened by their first team. This could be closer than we  expect.

Bornacoola v Ballinaglera: Another game with huge implications - both need to win to survive but Glera are the longer shot. They'll battle hard but in Kilglass, the Bors have the scoring power to take the verdict.

Allen Gaels v Carrigallen: Of all the games, this is the one easiest to predict because Allen Gaels have been so impressive so far. Carrigallen could still get caught if they suffer an almighty hammering but you have to expect a win for a Gaels team that looks a cut above the rest of the grade. 

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS ST MARY'S HEADED FOR CONNACHT GOLD SFC RELEGATION FINAL AFTER BALLINAMORE HAMMERING

SWEENEY OIL LGFA SFC

Glencar Manorhamilton v St Francis: Both teams have qualified for the semi-finals and St Francis are always tough to beat but you expect Glencar Manorhamilton to take the verdict here.

Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins v St Mary’s Kiltoghert: This is the big game - winner goes into the semi-finals although a draw is enough for Ballinamore. Hard to draw a line through this one - Manor beat both by five points but Mary's drew with St Joseph's who beat O'Heslins. Keeping Michelle Guckian quiet will be key for the home side while not allowing Laura O'Dowd make her punishing runs is central for Mary's. I wouldn't be surprised what way this goes, my gut thinks Mary's will shade it but it's hard to know - expect a titanic battle is all I know!

Kiltubrid v St Joseph’s: St Joseph's want to lock up top spot against a Kiltubrid team already heading for the relegation semi-final. Joes are yet to hit top form but they should have too much for Kiltubrid here.

SWEENEY OIL LGFA LGFA IFC SEMI-FINALS

Dromahair v Fenagh: Dromahair are favourites for the title but this could be a tricky one as they only had four points to spare over Fenagh in the group game and Fenagh's record is misleading as they were hugely competitive in all games. Dromahair score well but they have the best defence of the competition and at this time of the year, that is huge. This will be uncomfortable and tight, Fenagh could cause a shock but expect Dromahair to advance.

Drumkeerin v Mohill: On the face of it, this should be simple for Drumkeerin as they beat Mohill just two weeks ago by 17 points but that would be dangerous as Mohill have a quality backbone and in Dearbhaile Beirne, a forward capable of deciding any game. Drumkeerin are solid all around the field and have put together a very solid campaign. If they restrict Beirne, they should be too strong for Mohill.

SWEENEY OIL LGFA JUNIOR FC

Keeldra Gaels v St Mary’s Kiltoghert: Keeldra Gaels look far too strong for St Mary's second string.

Dromahair v Melvin Gaels: A derby but Melvin Gaels should just edge it

Annaduff v Leitrim Gaels: Annaduff will want to end with a 100% record and they look the class of the competition here.