No second chances in Ladies Senior Semi-Finals or Men's relegation final

The safety net has been removed and now is the time to produce your best as the Sweeney Oil LGFA Senior Championship reaches the semi-final stages next Sunday.

Champions Glencar Manorhamilton put their crown on the line while it is also 'do or die' time in the Smith Monumentals IFC when the quarter-finals are held over the weekend.

We take a brief look at the games and make an uneducated guess at who will prevail!

SWEENEY OIL LGFA SFC  SEMI-FINALS

Glencar Manorhamilton v Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins: Believe it or not, there is a whisper going around LGFA circles that the champions are vulnerable, in spite of them remaining undefeated. The loss of Ailbhe Clancy undoubtedly hurts and they’ve had more than a few close shaves.

But what that tells me is that Manor know how to win tight games - when the pressure is greatest, they produce a score out of nothing and their eclectic mix of experience and exciting young players means they are going to be very hard dethroned.

Ballinamore will relish going in as underdogs and, as they showed in the group stages, they can cause damage as they led 3-7 to 0-9 at halftime. But they were only able to add a point in the second half as the champions roared to a 2-16 to 3-8 victory, the only team capable of such a whirlwind of scores.

There is no pressure on Ballinamore but with Muireann Devaney leading the way, you’ve got to think that the champions will take another step to winning their sixth crown in a row.

St Joseph’s v St Mary’s Kiltoghert: These teams opened the championship with a 1-17 to 4-8 draw and you’d expect something similar next Sunday. Mary’s have an ability to get a goal out of nothing and in Michelle Guckian, they have a goal scoring forward while the return of Kasey Bruen strengthens them significantly.

St Joseph’s are capable of running up huge totals and they tested Glencar Manor to the very limit, two untimely injuries robbing them of the opportunity to shock the champs. A battle hardened outfit, Rachel McIntyre, Eadaoin Casey, Deirdre Moran and Celine Shortt give them great power around the field and Michelle Heslin, Bronagh O’Rourke and Carmel McGovern possess real firepower upfront.

If Joes can tighten up in defence, they should have too much strength but St Mary’s have shown in this campaign that they seem to play better when they’re up against the big teams. They have some very young, talented and mobile players and they definitely have the ability to pull off a surprise.

I’d expect St Joseph’s to advance and set up yet another final clash with Glencar Manor but this is the game with the potential for a shock - don’t be surprised if there is one.

CONNACHT GOLD SFC RELEGATION FINAL

Melvin Gaels v St Mary’s Kiltoghert: A clash with potentially enormous consequences will see Melvin Gaels and St Mary's Kiltoghert do battle next Saturday in the Connacht Gold SFC Relegation Final in Leitrim Gaels Community Field (5 pm throw-in) - the losers will be relegated while the winners will breathe a sign of relief, writes John Connolly.

On the face of it, St Mary’s appear the stronger team but they’ve in a bit of a funk as their results have deteriorated as the championship progressed and the Carrick men are under enormous pressure to avoid relegation, which is bad news for a side that didn’t seem to react well to pressure against Ballinamore.

Melvin Gaels don’t have that - many  tipped last year’s Intermediate winners as relegation candidates at the start of the competition but they’ve shown in flashes that they are a handful for any team. No more than their opponents, attitude will be key if the Kinlough outfit are to survive and they have forwards who can do damage.

Interestingly, both teams faced Leitrim Gaels, Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins and Fenagh St Caillins in the group stages. They both lost to Ballinamore and Leitrim Gaels, St Mary’s by 11 and nine points respectively, Melvin Gaels by 13 and 18 points while the Carrick men drew with Fenagh and the Gaels lost by 16 points but at opposite ends of the campaign.

What that tells us is anyone’s guess - St Mary’s would appear to have too much power, talent and experience but they’ve only hit form in patches while the Gaels have absolutely nothing to lose next Saturday. Who produces their best under those circumstances will take it. Form says St Mary’s and they get the nod but not with the confidence that League champions would normally carry!

SMITH MONUMENTALS IFC QUARTER FINALS

Annaduff v Carrigallen: These sides met in the first round with Annaduff finishing strongest to take a six point victory but Carrigallen have been digging in, testing quality opposition and they will take some stopping next Saturday. They haven’t been running up big scores so they will need to shut down a prolific Annaduff attack. 

Ballinaglera showed that is possible but the trouble for Carrigallen is that Leitrim star Darren Cox is back on the field and he makes Annaduff a considerably more dangerous and potent outfit, whatever about the mental boost he  gives his teammates by lining out. This could be a really tight game, Carrigallen have nothing to lose but you’ve got to think that Annaduff will have too much as they pick up steam.

Bornacoola v St Patrick’s Dromahair: Another contest where one team has nothing to lose - Bornacoola booked their place in the knockout stages with an impressive five goal haul against Ballinaglera, a Glera team Dromahair had to work hard to get over in the first round. But that was early on and Dromahair have been consistent, coming through battles against Gortletteragh and Annaduff with a win and a draw.

Indeed, they only lost to Drumkeerin in the battle for a semi-final spot by two points last Sunday so they’re not exactly in bad form. Interestingly, Bornacoola have scored far more than Dromahair but the north Leitrim men have a far tighter defence and in these sort of games, defences often decide things. The Bors have nothing to lose and are potent going forward but Dromahair also have forwards who can cut loose - Dromahair to advance.

SWEENEY OIL LGFA JFC SEMI-FINALS

Annaduff v Melvin Gaels: Annaduff have been the dominant team in this competition and they should continue this against a new Melvin Gaels team who have made big progress this year.

Keeldra Gaels v Leitrim Gaels: Keeldra Gaels look that bit too strong for Leitrim Gaels in this one and they should advance to a final meeting with Annaduff.

FRESH TODAY JUNIOR A FC

Glenfarne Kiltyclogher v Aughavas: Winner takes a semi-final spot and maybe favourites tag for the title so a big prize is at stake - both had big wins against Glencar Manor and Melvin Gaels’ second strings while they each beat Aughnasheelin by a point. Aughavas might just have a more potent forward line but Glenfarne know how to win tight games - this is anybody’s guess.

Mohill v Cloone: First string Cloone should prove too strong for second string Mohill but the danger is if Mohill decide to get game-time in the legs of Jordan Reynolds and a few others. A potential banana skin but Cloone should prevail

Melvin Gaels v Glencar Manorhamilton: The loser of this game is relegated and it is a local derby so hard to know how it will go - Manor have been a little more competitive and with no other distractions, they should prevail

Annaduff v Eslin: Eslin need two wins to preserve their Junior A status - they have struggled to get home in games but  they should prove too strong for Annaduff who have an eye on the Intermediate Quarter Final

FRESH TODAY JUNIOR B FC

St Patrick’s Dromahair v Fenagh St Caillins: Fenagh look too strong for Dromahair in this one.

Gortletteragh v Allen Gaels: Group leaders Allen Gaels should push on for a comfortable win against winless Gortletteragh.

Carrigallen v Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins: Ballinamore should be far too strong for Carrigallen in this one.

Kiltubrid v Leitrim Gaels: Leitrim Gaels are probably favourites for the title and should take a comfortable win.