THE inter-county season may be done and dusted but club championships are in full flow and reigning provincial champions Donaghmoyne are again laying down a marker as they aim to make it a 20th successive Monaghan title.
The Fontenoys have won all three games so far conceding just nine points while at the other end they have hit a massive 19 goals and 65 points. It is likely that Emyvale will be their closest rivals yet again as they have also made an unbeaten start to the group games with two wins from both their outings to date.
In all, seven sides are battling it out in the group with the top four advancing to the semi-finals. Round four will be played this coming weekend with O’Neill Shamrocks, who have also two wins under their belt facing Donaghmoyne, Magheracloone taking on Latton and Emyvale playing Scotstown.
In Donegal, the final round of group games are down for decision this Sunday with Termon and Moville battling it out for top spot when they meet. Both sides have already progressed to the semi-finals after recording victories over St Nauls and St Eunan’s. Glenfin know if they avoid defeat to Buncrana they will top the other group and face the loser of that Moville/Termon clash. Joining them in the last four will be Naomh Conaill if as expected Glenfin get the result they require.
The Armagh championship began with victories for Crossmaglen over Killeavy and Dromahill over Lissummon to see both advance and complete the quarter-final lineups. Reigning champions Armagh Harps will face Grange, Carrickcruppen v Dromahill, Clann Eireann v Shane O’Neill’s and Silverbridge v Crossmaglen are the ties down for decision.
Holders Bredagh topped their group with victories over Kilcoo, Downpatrick and Bryansford and will face Carryduff in the semi-finals of the Down championship. The the other last four encounter will be the meeting of Castlewellan and Bryansford with Castlewellan also winning all three of their games defeating Saval, Carryduff and St Johns Bosco.
Just three teams are in the Fermanagh senior campaign with last year’s Ulster Intermediate champions Kinawley joined by Derrygonnelly and Enniskillen Gaels. The opening games of the round robin series saw Derrygonnelly defeat Enniskillen Gaels before suffering defeat to Kinawley. The round three fixture sees Kinawley play Enniskillen Gaels on Saturday.
The Tyrone championship will throw-in this weekend with preliminary round games with Killeeshil against Dromore, Donaghmore taking on St Macartans and Cookstown facing Errigal Ciaran. The reigning champions Carrickmore await the winners of Killeeshil/Dromore while also awaiting in the quarter-finals will be Aodh Ruadh, Aghyaran, Trillick and Sperrin Og.
The Antrim championship also begins this weekend as St Paul’s face Naomh Brid when they meet on Sunday evening. The following week will see Moneyglass enter the fray as they begin their defence of the title against Naomh Brid.
It is down to the semi-finals stages in Cavan with both due to take place on September 11. The championship was run in two groups with Crosserlough and Lurgan topping their groups, both with a 100 per cent record from their three games. Joining them in the semi-finals are Drumlane who will face Lurgan and Killygarry will take on the holders Crosserlough.
