Three Dundalk teams make progress in intermediate title-race

Had Young Irelands got the decision over O’Rahilly’s in last week’s intermediate championship group match, there would have been a clean sweep of a kind for Dundalk teams.

Having put a stout performance against Hunterstown Rovers the previous week, beaten by a point and unlucky not to have picked up a draw, Irelands went into the O’Rahilly’s match with more than an outside chance, but found the Drogheda side too good for them, and so exited the competition.

For the other town teams there was a clear passage to the quarter-finals. Seán O’Mahony’s had all but assured themselves a place after a solid first round performance, but both Clan na Gael and Gaels had a bit of work to do.

Both achieved their aim, Clans beating Glen Emmets, and Gaels making it another unrewarding outing for Glyde Rangers.

The way is now clear for the quarters, to be played the weekend after next. Making up the eight are O’Rahilly’s, Mattock Rangers, Kilkerley Emmets, Hunterstown Rovers and St Kevin’s.

Hunterstown, widely tipped to go the whole way, play Kevin’s, and there’s a meeting of the two Os, O’Mahony’s and O’Rahillys. Mattock Rangers play Clans, with Kilkerley and Gaels making up the other pairing. All games have a very competitive look about them.

Can you ever rule Newtown Blues out of contention when it comes to the senior championship? Yes, you can, but at your peril. The winners of the competition more often than any other club faced the champions, St Mary’s, in a group match and handed them a two-goal beating.

Conor Branagan scored 1-6, Ciarán Downey was back in action, and Andy McDonnell was man-of-the-match. The third stage of the senior goes ahead this weekend, when a decision will be made on the eight teams to play in the quarter-finals.

The junior also leaves the starting-stalls, with big interest centred on another two Os, the maroon-wearing Oliver Plunkets and O’Connell’s. Both can be expected to make a winning start, and on current league form, easily qualify for the knock-out stage.