Ulster SFC Quarter Final
Slaughtneil v Derrygonnelly @ Celtic Park @ 2.30pm
Derrygonnelly travel the 68 miles to Derry City this Sunday as rank outsiders at 8/1 as they face Slaughtneil in Celtic Park at 2.30pm.
The Harps did enough throughout the Fermanagh championship to defeat Ederney, Devenish and Erne Gaels in the Fermanagh decider.
Outside of Ulster is the real test now for a Derrygonnelly side who have still to gain a victory in the Ulster Club arena after defeats to Baileborough (1995), Carrickmore (2004), Loup (2009) and Slaughtneil (2015).
So what have Derrygonnelly learned from 12 months ago when the Derry champions defeated them in a one-sided contest in Owenbeg, 4-13 to 1-4. This time Derrygonnelly go in without 3 experienced County players, Tiarnan Daly, Eamon McHugh and Conall Jones – the first 2 are just coming back from injury while Jones has went to Australia for a one year sabbatical.
Slaughtneil won’t be easy, players like Chrissy McKaigue, Brendan Rogers, Se Bradley and Patrick Bradley are all seriously quality footballers and will make it very tough for the Harps side.
Derrygonnelly have had a great season and if they can put in a performance and defend well then they may surprise many throughout Ulster and beyond.
Ulster IFC Quarter Final
Aghagallon v Kinawley @ Corrigan Park @ 2.30pm
Kinawley make the long trip to Belfast and know that Aghagallon will be a tough test for the Brian Borus side that completed Intermediate and League Division 2 success this season.
Aghagallon also completed the double at this level in Antrim this year and defeated a fancied Dunloy side in the Antrim IFC Final.
Gareth Magee in the Aghagallon attack is a potent forward while David McAlernon is a competitive all action midfielder.
Big doubts surround Kinawley’s County duo in Ruairi Corrigan and Sean McManus and for them it really is 50/50 on either playing.
Shaun Doherty, Niall Bogue and Sean Leonard all bring a bag of experience that blossoms beautifully with the likes of Conor Murphy, Aaron O’Reilly and James Allen.
Kinawley have nothing to be afraid of and we wish them the best of luck.
Ulster JFC Quarter Final
Newtownbutler v Drumgath @ Brewster Park @ 1.00pm
This game was changed to the earlier time due to blessing of the graves in Newtownbutler.
The Down champions may be an unknown quantity but have had a seriously good season and won the Down County Final rather comfortably in a replay.
Jack Lynch and Patrick Downey bring a host of experience to the midfield section, while Mark Connolly at full forward will need plenty of watching.
You would have to go the whole way back to 2007 when Newtownbutler last played in the Ulster Club with a defeat to Glenullin. Players like Ryan Carson, Brendan McBrien, Shane Leonard and this year’s top scorer in Fermanagh JFC James Connolly can all be match winners and in truth be told Newtownbutler will probably be the best chance of a win this weekend for the three Fermanagh sides.
