The football championship moves to the knockout stages this weekend with the quarter finals of the senior, intermediate, and the junior grades.

Games get under way on Friday night to start the ball rolling, and there are games to follow on both Saturday, and Sunday.

Friday 8th^th September

Northern Switchgear Senior Football Championship

Quarter-Finals

Lamh Dhearg v Cuchullian’s Dunloy (Dunsilly One) 7.00pm

Dunloy have made the public sit up and take notice with a win over St Gall’s and a narrow loss to Creggan in the group stages and the reigning Intermediate champions will hope to go one further when they face Lamh Dhearg in Friday night’s quarter-final.

Lamh Dhearg have impressed in their championship journey to date and they remain unbeaten in the group stages following wins over Ahoghill, Casement’s and St Enda’s and they will go into this one as firm favourites.

The Hannahstown men came from off the pace to gain victories over Ahoghill and were most impressive in a six point win over league champions, Portglenone.

Dunloy have certainly bucked the trend as they were relegated from division 2 of the football league but with quite a number of their senior hurlers fielding in the football championship they have been most impressive.

A win away to St. Gall’s and a narrow defeat to Creggan in a three team group saw them advance to the quarter-finals and while they will again start as underdogs no one should rule them out.

The Hannahstown side have strong and experienced performers in Marc Jordan, Declan Lynch, Eoin Mc Keown, Conor Murray and Paddy Cunningham while Dunloy will look to players like Eoin McFerran, Conor Kinsella, Deaglan Smith, Keelan Molloy, Coby Cunning and Seaan Elliot as they attempt to cause another upset.

Sat 9^th September

Kickham’s Creggan v Casement’s Portglenone (Dunsilly One) 4.00pm

The 2021 champions Kickham’s Creggan took a time to get going this term, languishing nearer the bottom of the league for a period as they attempted to cope with a lengthy injury list.

Things have improved however as most of those injured player have slowly returned and the Kickham’s could be running into form just at the right stage of the season.

They opened their championship account with a win over the visiting St Gall’s and followed that up with victory over Dunloy at Pearse Park to top their group.

On Saturday they face what could be their toughest test to date when they take on League Champions, Portglenone at Dunsilly.

Martin and Conor Small have returned to the Creggan lineout while Aidan and Sam Maguire, Ruairi McCann, Odran McLarnon, Paddy Coey and the Johnston brothers, Martin and Ricky are players who have seen it all before.

Casement’s lost to Lamh Dhearg in the group stages but recovered to beat St. Enda’s and Ahoghill and they will look to player like Paddy Kelly, Oisin Doherty, Ciaran Tierney, Oran McGarry, Michael Hagan and the Delargy brothers as they attempt to overcome the Kickham’s.

This one could go either way but a tentative nod goes to the Kickham’s.

Sunday 10^th September

Erin’s Own Cargin v St Mary’s Aghagallon (Hannahstown) 1.30 pm

This one is a repeat of last year’s decider when Cargin had to dig deep to earn victory over Aghagallon at Corrigan Park and this pairing will likely attract a big crowd to Hannahstown.

Cargin have impressed in their passage through the group stages and were undefeated and never looked in trouble with wins over Rossa, Tir na nOg and St. Johns.

Aghagallon lost their opening game to the visiting St Brigid’s and had to dig deep to get the better of Moneyglass at Marian Hill to secure a quarter-final spot.

Cargin have seasoned campaigners in John McNabb, Tomas Mc Cann, Paul McCann, Kevin O’ Boyle, Justin Crozier and Pat Shivers and will hope that Jamie Gribbin, John Carron and Michael McCann have recovered from injury.

Aghagallon came away from Toome with a league win early in the season and they will travel in confidence with the likes of Adam Loughran, Ruairi Mc Cann, Eunan Walsh Jamie Lamont and Jack Lenaghan expected to lead the charge.

This may well be a close encounter but if the Toome men can field near strength they should gain the verdict.

St Brigid’s v O’ Donovan Rossa (Corrigan Pk) 4.00 pm

The last quarter final is an all Belfast contest as O’Donovan Rossa take on St Brigid’s at Corrigan Park.

Rossa picked up a couple of wins in their group with victories over St John’s and Tir na nOg but lost to Cargin in their opening game. St Brigid’s have impressed in the group stages with wins away to Aghagallon and at home to Moneyglass and the Musgrave Park side will fancy their chances of gaining a place in the semi-finals.

Hugh Mc Gettigan’s Rossa are a solid side and in Stephen Beatty, Dominic Mc Enhill, Richard Gowdy, Chris Mc Guinness and Cormac McGettigan they have excellent players.

St Brigid’s have certainly improved this season with a number of former Lavey players in their ranks while Joseph Finnegan, Jack Dowling, Ronan Boyle and Peter King are all polished performers on their day

A close one is on the cards but although St. Brigid’s will give it a real lash Rossa have a seasoned panel and may well advance.

O B Construction Intermediate Football Championship Quarter-Finals

Friday 8^th September

All Saint’s Ballymena v Kickham’s Ardoyne (Quinn Pk) 7.00pm

All Saints have enjoyed a descent season to date and have home advantage of their floodlit Quinn Park for this quarter final as North Belfast based Kickham’s Ardoyne visit Ballymena with the prize on offer for the winner a place in the semi-finals.

The Ballymena men haven’t set the world alight in the league and were most fortunate to beat Friday night’s opponents in Ballymena at the start of the season with a late Ronan McKillop goal earning them the win. They have performed well in a three team championship group with a draw away to Aldergrove and they put a huge score up in a victory over St Comgall’s to top their group.

Cal O’ Brien, Mal Downey, Ronan Mc Killop, and Connell Lennon were the main contributors in a 9-17 to 0-11 winning tally while Ryan Stewart, Sean McVeigh, James and Benny McDonnell, Sean O’Callaghan are other players that can swing this one All Saints way

North Belfast based Kickham’s Ardoyne have greatly improved this term under the guidance of former Cargin player, Marty Clarke, They have strong performers in Conor McLaughlin, Kevin Lynch, the McNeill brothers, Cormac Mullan and Oisin McVicker and they will travel to Ballymena in the knowledge that they are capable of causing an upset but home advantage may swing it All Saints way.

Saturday 9^th September

Con Magees Glenravel v Gort na Mona

It has been a good year for Con Magees who can look forward to a place in the top division next term having gained promotion from division 2 and will be one of the favourites for the Intermediate title.

The Glensmen have made great progress this term and they impressed in their last game in the group stages with a big win over division 3 side, Pearses.

Aiden O’ Donnell two early goals set the trend for than one, and with Sean Mc Kay, Rian Lennon, and Eamon Ward to the fore they were on the way to the quarter finals.

Gort na Mona had an indifferent league campaign but have saved their best for the championship and they came from off the pace to share the spoils with Glenavy last time out to earn a quarter-final place.

An injury time point from full forward Padraig Mc Hugh earned the Gorts a share of the spoils and they will look to the likes of McHugh, Christopher Carson, Thomas Mc Caffrey, ‘Diesel’ Boyd and the talented Dessie McClean as they attempt to overcome the considerable challenge of the Con Magee’s

Home advantage will see Glenravel start as firm favourites and they should gain the verdict and a place in the semis.

St Teresa’s v St James Aldergrove

This could be a close one as St Teresa’s play hosts to St James Aldergrove with home advantage certainly putting the former champions in with a shout.

St Teresa’s defeated Ardoyne in the group stages and came strong away to Naomh Padraig Lisburn to seal their place in the quarter finals with a couple of goals from replacement Robert Gallagher earning the victory.

Aldergrove have impressed on their way to the quarter finals, unbeaten under the watchful eye of Mark Dougan and came from six down to draw with All Saints in Crumlin with Seamus McGarry leading the comeback with a number of inspirational scores.

St. Teresa’s are not easy beaten at McDonnell/Doherty Park but although the home side may give them a run for their money, the Aldergrove men are awarded the vote.

Patrick Sarsfield’s v St Paul’s (Bear Pit) 4.00pm

This all Belfast derby sees near neighbours and close rivals St Paul’s and Sarsfield’s meet at the Bear Pit to determine who will progress to the semi-final of the Intermediate championship.

The sides met in the Intermediate hurling championship at the same venue, just over a week ago with St. Paul’s coming from seven down to win that one with a goal from a last minute free.

Sarsfield’s have impressed in both of their group games with wins over Gort na Mona and Glenavy and ground advantage may well give them advantage as St. Paul’s make the short journey again in the football championship.

St Paul’s earned passage to the quarter final stages with a one point win over Michael Davitt’s at Davitt’s Park last time and will look to Stephen Rooney, Marca Munce, Liam McLarnon, James Farrell and Sean McCrory to lead their challenge.

Sarsfields have strong campaigners in duel star Niall McKenna, the McKernan’s, Niall McAlea and Gary Lennon and this one could be feisty but ground advantage may prove the difference to tip the balance in favour of the Paddies.

Graham Tarmac Junior Football Championship

Friday 8^th September

Laochra Loch Lao v St Malachy’s (Colaiste Feriste) 7.00 pm

Laochra Loch Lao have shown great progress this year with former St. Gall’s keeper, Paddy Murray at the helm and qualified for this quarter-final with wins over Eire Og and St. Agnes last day out.

St. Malachy’s have struggled this season but they did record an away win to Ballycastle in day one, the only game that the McQuillan’s fielded in but recent results would suggest a Laochra win.

Wolfe Tones v Eire Og (Valley Park Newtownabbey) 7.00 pm

Newly formed Wolfe Tonnes recorded their first championship win when they defeated St. Malachy’s at Hightown and finished second in their group to Rasharkin after Ballycastle failed to field

This looks like a tougher one for the Tonnes but with a passionate crowd likely to be there to drive them on at Valley Parade they can give Eire Og a run for their money.

Reserve Football Cup Final

Erin’s Own Cargin 0-13 St Galls 1-07

Cargin’s are the senior reserve football champions following victory over their counterparts from St Gall’s before a good attendance at Dunsilly in perfect conditions on Wednesday evening.

The Milltown Blues featured a host of players who have County, Provincial, and National medals from over a decade ago and gave a good account of themselves but in the end Cargin’s youthful legs proved the difference.

A superb goal in the 42^nd minute by the legendary Sean Kelly threatened to spoil the Cargin party and saw St. Gall’s gain advantage for the first time but it was the Toome side who finished stronger and with the excellent Conan Johnston leading the charge and three superb late points from John McNabb, secured victory.

Both sides had impressed en route to the decider with St. Gall’s rolling back the years and including a strong contingent of their 2010 All Ireland club championship winning side while a youthful Cargin included quite a number of the side who had claimed back to back minor titles in 2020/21.

Very much a case of youth versus experience and in the event nothing was to separate them in the opening period.

Tom Shivers, who was to prove prominent throughout, raised back to back white flags in the opening exchanges to give the Toome side an early lead but

St Galls were quick to reply as Kevin Niblock sent a 30 metre free between the posts.

A john McNabb point increased the Cargin lead to two again by the 10^th minute but St Gall’s were back on level terms shortly after as mid-fielder Anto Healey kicked back to back points to leave it all square at 0-03 apiece at the end of the opening quarter

An excellent Conan Johnston point saw Cargin edge ahead again in the 18^th minute and the elegant Tom Shivers and Mickey Pollock Swapped points before Daniel Murtagh replied for the city side to leave it all square again at 0-05 apiece.

Cargin finished the half on the front foot with Odhran Molloy and Charlie Mc Cann getting on top at mid-field and a late Kieran Close point following good work by Hugh O’ Donnell and Conan Johnston gave them a slender 0-06 to 0-05 advantage at the short whistle.

Cargin started the second half as they had concluded the first with Hugh O’ Donnell, Sean Og Quinn and Paudie McLaughlin making a number of timely interceptions to deny the opposition.

It was wing back Paudie Mc Loughlin who would increase the Cargin lead with a smashing delivery after an impressive approach in the 34^th minute and Benen Kelly’s astute approach and delivery opened the way for Tom Shivers to add another a few minutes later.

Cargin looked in control as the second half progressed but that was about to change as St. Gall’s responded with a Donal Murtagh point followed by a splendid Sean Kelly goal.

A good build up by the Milltown side saw Michael Pollock lay the ball off to Kelly and the superb finish from the latter saw the Gall’s nip ahead 1-06 to 0-08.

Cargin looked in a bit of trouble for the first time but they regained control with a great point from Paudie McLaughlin bringing them back on level terms.

Erin’s Own finished strongly and John McNabb kicked three excellent points to put them in a strong position.

Ben McLarnon, Odhran Molloy, Paudie Mc Laughlin and Fergal Johnston were much to the fore in the closing stages with Johnston making a significant contribution following his recent return from Australia.

Another Paudie McLaughlin point saw the gap increased to four but when the hard grafting Sean Kelly made reply in kind at the other end, only a single score separated the sides.

St Gall’s fought hard in the closing stages but the Cargin defence was resolute in the extreme with Conan Johnston making a timely clearance in the 62nd minute before the final whistle signalled victory for the Toome side.

Cargin: Shea Laverty, Sean Og Quinn, Conan Johnston (0-01), Hugh O’ Donnell, Paudie Mc Laughlin (0-02), Benen Kelly (0-01), Brendan Laverty, Charlie Mc Cann, Odhran Molloy, Ben Mc Larnon, Enda Mc Grogan, Feargal Johnston, Kieran Close (0-02), John Mc Nabb (0-04), Tom Shivers (0-04)

Subs

P J Quinn

Cahir O’ Boyle

Kyle Johnston

St Galls: Ciaran Og Mullan, Mark, Kelly, Colin Brady, Oisin Kelly, Michael Hopkins, Andrew Mc Clean , Sean Kelly (1-01), Aodhan Gallagher, Anto Healey (0-02), Daniel Murtagh (0-02), Michael Pollock (0-01),Conan Doherty, Kevin Niblock (0-01), Terry O’ Neill, Ciaran Mc Gourty

Subs: Manus McCrossan, Conor Burke, John McCullough

Referee: Martin Quinn (St Enda’s:

The finals of both the Reserve Football Cup and Reserve Football Shield are down for decision tonight and both games have the potential to provide an exciting hours football and both look hard to call.

Reserve Football Cup Final (Dunsilly) 7-00pm

Erin’s Own Cargin v St. Gall’s

Erin’s Own Cargin and St. Gall’s have been the two outstanding sides in this year’s Reserve Cup competition and both have produced performances that have made the public sit up and take notice and tonight’s final at Dunsilly should attract a bumper crowd from these hotbeds of Gaelic Football.

Rossa 2-7 St Gall’s 2-12

St Gall’s booked their place in the Reserve Football final when they travelled to Rossa and beat the Shaw’s Road side by 2-17 to 2-12 two weeks ago. The sides were level at half time but a goal three minutes into the second half from Michael Pollock gave the Milltown Row men the boost they needed and they pushed on to seal a final meeting with Cargin.

St. Gall’s have rolled back the years and have included quite a number of their All Ireland Club Championship side of 2010 vin their side and 13 years on from that famous victory the class of 2010 are still performing at a high level.

Colin Brady, Anto Healey, Andrew McClean, Terry O’Neill, Aodhan Gallagher, Sean Kelly, Kevin Niblock and Kieran McGourty were all part of that excellent side and were in action against Rossa while Michael Pollock, who joined the club after 2010 is another performing at a very high level

St. Gall’s v Rossa: Ciaran Og O’Mullan, Michael Hopkins, Colin Brady, Oisin Kelly, Anthony Healy, Andrew McClean, Mark Kelly, Aodhan Gallagher, John McCullough, Niall Fallon, Terry O’Neill, Daniel O’Muirigh, Sean Kelly, Kevin Niblock, Kieran McGourty.

Erin’s Own Cargin 1-17 Kickham’s Creggan 0-06

A Benen Kelly goal, ten minutes into the second half sealed the deal and ensured Cargin a place in the final of the Reserve Cup at the expense of their near neighbours and close rivals Kickham’s Creggan in the second semi-final.

The Toome men made the better start and with Kieran Close sharp in front of the posts and the dominance of Charlie McCann and Odhran Molloy in the middle were quickly into their stride.

Kelly at centre-half was excellent for the Toome side which is an excellent blend of youth with keeper Shea Laverty, Paudie McLaughlin and Tom Shivers amongst the youngsters who have dipped their toes in senior football this year.

Ronan Devlin, Fergal Johnston, Enda McGroggan and the evergreen Ciaran Close add a wee bit of experience to a very fit and mobile Cargin side while Senior keeper, John McNabb can provide a serious scoring threat up front if called upon.

Cargin v Creggan: Shea Laverty, Sean og Quinn, Conan Johnston, Hugh O’ Donnell, Paudie Mc Laughlin (0-01),Benen Kelly (1-03), Ronan Devlin, Odhran Molloy, Charlie Mc Cann, Fergal Johnston (0-03), Brendan Laverty, Kieran Close (0-04), Enda Mc Grogan, Tom Shivers (0-04),

Subs: John Mc Nabb (0-03), PJ Quinn, C Scullion, Kyle Johnston, Diarmuid Quinn

I would expect this one to be mighty close but the greater pace of the Erin’s Own should be enough to see them take the title.

Senior Reserve Football Shield Final (Portglenone 8-00pm)

Con Magee’s Glenravel v Dunloy

This Reserve Shield final sees Cuchullian’s Dunloy face neighbours Con Magee’s Glenravel at Portglenone and is again likely to attract a good crowd to Kelly Park. Both sides impressed in their respective semi-finals with Glenravel’s win over Aldergrove in Crumlin certainly raising a few eyebrows.

Dunloy’s win over Ardoyne at Pearse Park was much tighter but they were in control for long periods and emerged five point winners in the end.

Reserve Shield semi-final

Aldergrove 0-04   Glenravel 1-14

Glenravel’s second string suffered only two defeats in their league campaign, both to St. James’ but the Con Magee’s travelled to Crumlin and avenged those defeats in the semi-final of the Reserve Football Shield.

Aldergrove’s only point in the first half came in the fifth minute, and in fact it would take them another thirty five minutes before they were able to add to that total by which time their opponents were out of sight. The Con Magee’s held a five points to one point lead at half time and Aldergrove would have needed a good start to the second half but four points on the bounce in the opening ten minutes saw Glenravel lead nine points to one before pushing on to win convincingly.

Glenravel were dominating all over the pitch and the introduction of Sean McKay, who goaled soon after his introduction, to put the match out of reach of their opponents. Sean Patrick Fay would put over the Aldergrove third point with nine minutes of the game remaining, and the final two scores of the game came from Cormac McKeown from Glenravel to leave the final score, 1-14 to 0-04 in favour of the Glensmen.

Con Magee’s v Aldergrove: Jude Scullion, Adam Campbell, Chris Laverty, Conor McQuillan, Joe Martin, Aidan McKenna, Declan McAuley, Martin McCarry, Senan Black, Cormac McKeown, Daniel McQuillan, Conleth O’Loan, Sean Paul McKenna, Darragh Donaghy, Aidan O’Donnell.

SUBS – Eamon Ward, Sean McKay, Alex Davis, Adam-james Asher, Joe Scullion, Ethan McNeill, Fiontann Hodgson, Fergus Donaghy, Shea O’Brien

Reserve Football Shield semi-final

Dunloy 2-13 Ardoyne 2-8

The other Reserve Football Shield semi-final saw Dunloy face Kickham’s Ardoyne at Pearse Park and the home side certainly didn’t get it all their own way. . Dunloy’s lead was reduced to two points at one stage, but the home team were determined to take the spoils from this game and they dominated an exciting conclusion as they slotted over a further three points to take the victory by five.

Michael Smith was Dunloy’s top scorer on the night and the side contains quite a number of players who have featured in the latter stages of this competition before.

Chris Logan, Ciaran McQuillan, Kevin McQuillan, Barry Scott, Karl Fitzpatrick, Anthony Smith and Declan McGarry are likely to lead the Dunloy charge in Portglenone

Dunloy 1. Chris Logan 2. Daniel Dixon 3. Séanna Martin Ryan 4. Oisin McErlane 5. Cathair McCloskey 6. Ciaran McQuillan 7. Barry Scott (0-1) 8. Eoghan McGrath (0-1) 9. Karl Fitzpatrick 10. Seanie McAleese (0-1) 11. Anthony Smith ((0-2) 12. Rory Smith 13. Barry McCloskey (0-2) 14. Michael Smith 0-5) 15. Declan McGarry (2-1) 16. DJ McKendry 17. Ryan McFarlane 18. Christopher McMahon

Again this one looks difficult to predict but their greater experience at this level may just be enough to see Cuchullian’s edge what should be a great final but Glenravel will be buoyed by that impressive win over Aldergrove.