BIG HOPES...Brendan Laverty (left) and his Lavey teammates should be vbery strong in Ulster Picture Margaret McLaughlin
BIG HOPES...Brendan Laverty (left) and his Lavey teammates should be vbery strong in Ulster Picture Margaret McLaughlin BIG HOPES...Brendan Laverty (left) and his Lavey teammates should be vbery strong in Ulster Picture Margaret McLaughlin

Ulster Club Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter-finals

Lavey v Liatroim

(tomorrow, Celtic Park, 2.30pm)

TWENTY years ago Lavey came agonisingly close to becoming the first Derry side to win the Ulster Senior title, and now they will try to do likewise at intermediate level.

Oakleaf outfits have failed to really make their mark in this competition, Eoghan Rua coming closest with three final losses, but the Erin’s Own men have the tools to compete.

Johnny McGarvey will look to Sam Dodds, who is having a great year, free-taker Paddy Henry and Ryan Farren to drive them to the semi-final.

Like Coleraine, Liatroim have made it to three finals but the last of those appearances came in 2008 and this is a new, young team – although 48-year-old Brian McAleenan remains on board.

With Ballycran, Ballygalget and Portaferry on one side of the draw, getting to the final would always guarantee the Fontenoys an Ulster appearances – but the latter’s no-show in the decider would have been disappointing for manager Fergus Cooper.

Verdict: Lavey

Castleblayney v Patrick Sarsfields

(tomorrow, Castleblayney, 2.30pm)

THESE are busy times for the Patrick Sarsfields club as they combine Ulster Intermediate hurling with Ulster Junior football.

Six players featured in both county final wins with another few players amongst the subs and one of those, Kevin McKernan, has been in inspired form.

Michael Callaghan came off injured as the hurlers beat Carey Faughs by six points, and he will miss out here.

Castleblayney will be full of confidence having recently added the league title to their championship success and manager Noel McGuigan has an experienced crop at his disposal.

Hugh Byrne, Brian McGuigan and Fergal Rafter have been producing the goods for years, and they will hope that home advantage can get them into next week’s semi-final.

Verdict: Patrick Sarsfields

Ulster Club Junior Hurling Championship quarter-finals

Setanta v Ballela

(tomorrow, Letterkenny, 2.30pm)

DONEGAL champions Setanta have firm ambitions in going all the way to an Ulster title as they lock horns with Ballela at O’Donnell Park. The Finn Valley men had a fine victory over St Eunan’s in the county final and will hope to emulate their 2009 run, when they lost to Lisbellaw in the final.

Ballela come back from a seven points deficit against Clonduff to win by a few points having had a strong wind at their backs in the second half.

Setanta are powered by ex Armagh star Declan Coulter, Danny Cullen, Bernard Lafferty and Offaly native Niall Cleary.

Verdict: Setanta

Carrickmacross v Na Magha

(tomorrow, Castleblayney, 12,45pm)

CARRICK are in this competition courtesy of their Monaghan Shield win over Monaghan Harps, David Butler (1-2) and Luke McKenna (0-5) top-scoring in the 1-13 to 2-7 win.

In the Derry Junior final, Na Magha were 7-17 to 0-4 winners over Coleraine, who fielded a second string as most of their starters were at the Kilmacud Croke’s Sevens.

Verdict: Na Magha

Mullahoran v Naomh Colum Cille

(Sunday, Ballyconnell, 2.30pm)

IT was only recently decided that there would be a Cavan Championship and Mullahoran reacted quickest to defeat Cootehill by 26 points after a semi-final no-show from Woodford Gaels.

Two goals from Michael Carr and Philip Brady eased them home in the final but this is a huge step up.

Naomh Colum Cille lost to Eoghan Ruadh in the Tyrone Senior semi-final but responded to beat Killyclogher 7-21 to 0-0 in the Junior final, Tony O’Hagan bagging five goals.

Verdict: Naomh Colum Cille

Gort na Mona v Derrynoose

(tomorrow, Corrigan Park, 2.30pm)

GORT na Mona had to dig deep to keep Shane O’Neill’s out in the Antrim final with the side winning 3-12 to 3-10 having led by 10 points at one stage.

Derrynoose also won their county final by two points as they beat Killeavy 2-9 to 0-13 – David McCreesh and Pauric McNaughton with their goals.

Verdict: Gort na Mona