Looking ahead to Intermediate Quarter-Finals and Senior relegation series

The chance to stay alive in the Smith Monumentals Intermediate grade or even just the opportunity to stay in the Connacht Gold SFC is the big prize on offer this Saturday as we take a look at an intriguing set of games.

SMITH MONUMENTALS IFC QUARTER-FINALS

ANNADUFF V BALLINAGLERA: This is a game that leaves you in a quandary - Annaduff looked the form team early on but a heavy defeat at the hands of Melvin Gaels will definitely shake their confidence while Ballinaglera, on back of their do or die added time win over Drumkeerin, have nothing to lose.

Quite how much the confidence of Joe Cox's men is shook by the heavy loss last Saturday is hard to know but if they can react positively, it could be the making of them. Darren Cox &  Daniel Bosquette are talented young players and if they get enough ball, they can do a lot of damage but they would also love to have Conor Reynolds back on the field.

McCormack delighted with Fenagh's quarter-final display

Ballinaglera showed a resilience to come through against Drumkeerin that could serve them well. They were under immense pressure but managed to come up with an added time victory - that should inspire them in what is essentially a free shot.

This game will be tough and physical - Ballinaglera may have a slight edge  but Annaduff won't mind that and I think their greater scoring power might just be enough to see them through to the semi-final.

CARRIGALLEN V KILTUBRID: The form book isn't much help in this one. Carrigallen won the League game between the teams but, minus a few key players, lost heavily to an Allen Gaels team that Kiltubrid forced a draw with in the last round, coming from four points down to snatch a draw.

Both teams finished with four points and Carrigallen's superior scoring difference is just one point better than Kiltubrid while both also played Drumkeerin, Carrigallen losing to the Division 3 side and Kiltubrid scoring a convincing victory.

They even seem alike - two teams infused with young emerging talent and backboned by veterans, former Leitrim stars Shane Foley and Gary Reynolds key men for their team so this really is all up in the air, a matter of who performs well on the day.

Carrigallen's two wins also came against teams in the relegation zone while Kiltubrid drew twice against semi finalists Melvin Gaels and Allen Gaels so the suspicion may be that Kiltubrid came through the harder path to the quarter-finals.

I'm really conflicted with this one, both are capable of winning but I get the feeling that Kiltubrid may just sneak through here.

Stenson hails new combined Leitrim Post Primary Schools team for Connacht Senior A Championships

SFC RELEGATION SEMI-FINALS

Unlike a lot of games, we actually have a pretty clear form guide here as Aughawillan scored a big win over Gortletteragh and St Patrick's Dromahair ended Aughnasheelin's hopes of making it in the quarter finals in the very last round of games!

Add in the fact that both losing teams were at home in the final round suggests that momentum and form is very much in favour of Aughawillan and Dromahair. 

Aughawillan may actually have an slightly easier task as they were under pressure to pull off an improbably big win to see if they could overhaul Glencar Manorhamilton and next Saturday, all they need is a victory. They'll be wary because Gortletteragh showed enough to suggest they could cause problems and a victory over Eslin in the Junior A grade suggests they are building form.

Dromahair must beat Aughnasheelin a second time - they escaped relegation last year when shocking Melvin Gaels so they have a history of great escapes. Their performances suggest a team unlucky but Aughnasheelin will be obdurate and tough.

I'll go for Aughawillan and Dromahair to repeat their victories and ensure their survival.