Cavan Senior Football Championship
Dara McVeety’s return to the fold this year may have boosted Crosserlough’s share price in the last few months but Ramor United will line out tomorrow afternoon at Crosskeys (4pm) as favourites to get the better of the erstwhile county star’s black and ambers.
McVeety famously went travelling abroad in 2020 and agonisingly missed out on both Cavan’s Ulster SFC triumph and Crosserlough’s first blue riband success in 48 years.
Despite their 0-13 to 0-14 defeat to second favourites Cavan Gaels in the opening round, Crosserlough are well placed to secure a quarter-final place with four points on the board to date.
With maximum points from their two outings, Ramor Utd are looking like the team to beat.
Having claimed the crown last year, the Virginia-based crew have their eyes on another Ulster club campaign with defeat to Kilcoo in 2021 still an open wound.
Tomorrow sees two other third round SFC ties taking place. Cavan Gaels are expected to bolster their perfect record to date with victory over Ballinagh in Lacken (2pm) although the last-named will relish the chance of causing an upset as they invariably rise their game against their near-neighbours with their shock SFC final win in 2013 over the Gaels a case in point.
The county town side really impressed in brushing aside (1-20 to 0-4) Mullahoran last time out and the really bad news for Ballinagh is that Gearóid McKiernan and co. seemed to play well within themselves in that game.
Ballinagh won the IFC in 2020 but after losing to Mullahoran and Killygarry in the last two rounds, it’s a must-win game for them this time around. Sadly for the Saffrons, another convincing Gaels’ win is on the cards.
The other third round game tomorrow sees Butlersbridge facing off with Killygarry at Kingspan Breffni (7pm) with the smart money being on a draw.
Killygarry are riding high in the table right now; holding down second place just behind table toppers Cavan Gaels - on scoring difference - having won both of their SFC matches to date.
In contrast, the ‘bridge boast zero points and currently prop up the table. It’s been a difficult season for the 2021 IFC champions and after their convincing 1-13 to 1-6 win over Ballinagh last weekend, Killygarry will go into tomorrow’s tie full of confidence and with a burning ambition to cement their place in the quarter-finals.
This evening’s pair of games brings together two serious contenders for the title and two outsiders with Lacken Celtic bound to be up against it in their clash with Kingscourt Stars in Virginia (5pm).
Meanwhile Gowna will be under pressure to rediscover their 2021 form against 9th place Lavey in a match scheduled for Kingspan Breffni (7pm).
For all Kingscourt’s SFC pedigree, Lacken currently trump them with the Celts in seventh place and the Stars adrift of the top eight in 10th place ahead with both teams sporting one win from two starts so far.
Lacken’s solitary victory to date came against Lavey but Kingscourt are a whole different proposition, especially as the Stars have their backs to the wall now in seeking to force their way into the quarter-finals. A Kingscourt victory is the probable outcome but it’s possible Lacken could sneak it.
On paper, Gowna’s tilt with Lavey ought to see the first-named take another step towards making it back-to-back SFC finals but Lavey will go into this evening’s game with nothing to lose and they are a real championship team. They were the surprise team of the competition last year.
Gowna are in 6th place currently and Lavey occupy ninth place. With just one round to play after this weekend’s fare, a win is essential for both teams to consolidate their push for a quarter-final place. Gowna’s strength in depth should see them achieve their short term goal at least.
