Plenty at stake in the penultimate round of the Intermediate championship

The third round of the Intermediate championship begins this weekend and while the table is beginning to take shape, there is still plenty to play for across the table.

Only two teams have won both games, with Malin and Naomh Pádraig both on three points, while five teams have won one and lost one.

All twelve teams are vying for eight spots in the quarter-final, and positions will determine which team plays which as first plays eighth, second versus seventh, etc.

The bottom four that miss out will contest the relegation play-offs, so a lot is at stake in the penultimate weekend. 

Saturday, August 23

Burt vs Realt Na Mara

Hibernian Park, 5pm

Both sides have had a similar start to the Intermediate Championship, although there are further controversies to be settled off the pitch.

Burt got off to a great start as they overcame Gaeil Fhánada at home by two points, but an Inishowen derby ended in defeat against Buncrana in the Scarvey this past weekend.

The Hibernian Park men will have been targeting their home games to get points, and this weekend will be no different.

For Realt Na Mara, they also took a win over the Fanad men, winning by six points in Portsalon as county panellist Jamie Brennan hit eight points and got them their first result in the championship.

That could yet change however, as the Bundoran men have an objection in following their one point loss to Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin.

The southern club believe that they were incorrectly awarded one point for a Darragh Hoey score that came from outside the arc, with a linesman informing referee Daniel Carlin that a Naomh Pádraig player got a touch as the effort sailed over the bar.

That could make a difference down the line, but they bounced back well from the opening day setback and will be gunning for another two points.

Verdict: Realt Na Mara.

Malin vs Gaeil Fhánada

Connolly Park, 6pm

Malin have impressed so far in their opening two games and will be gunning to stay unbeaten.

A strong end to their Division 1 campaign, despite relegation, gave them a good base and a two point win over a fancied Buncrana at home in the first match was a statement win.

They had another Inishowen derby at the weekend with Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin, and had to come from seven down after a slow start, a Ben Curley goal helping reduce the deficit.

They did go two clear as captain Christy McLaughlin got on top of the game, but they couldn’t hold on to an away win as the hosts came back to share the spoils.

Gaeil Fhánada are playing catch-up now and will be desperate to pick up points as they have another tough game against Buncrana in their final match.

Defeats to Burt and Realt Na Mara will be disappointing as they face arguably two tougher games.

Bernard McGettigan did damage against Bundoran at the weekend as Mark McAteer was missing, while the likes of Seamie ‘Nanny’ Friel, Michael Sweeney and Liam McGrenaghan will need to step up to the mark on Saturday.

Three points may not be enough to avoid the bottom four with how the table looks at present, so wins will be needed for Aidan McAteer’s side.

Verdict: Malin.

Sunday, August 24

Buncrana vs Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin

The Scarvey, 2pm

Another Inishowen derby for Buncrana, their third in a row, and another close battle is expected.

The Scarvey men bounced back from defeat to Malin with a four point win over Burt in another typically tight game.

Usual stars of Caolan McGonagle and John Campbell stepped up to the mark, and the physicality of the side is something few in the championship can match.

But the pace of the youthful Muff side will cause plenty of problems, as they remain unbeaten.

A first appearance at Intermediate level began with an away win in Bundoran, albeit in previously mentioned controversial circumstances, but they backed it up with a draw against a Malin side that have been towards the top end of this championship in recent years.

Caolan McColgan was taken off in their first game but was in good form against Malin, while his cousin Cormac once again impressed, and Drew McKinney returned after a summer in the States.

It will no doubt be an incredibly close game to call, but home advantage might just make the difference.

Verdict: Buncrana.

Naomh Columba vs Na Rossa

Pairc na nGael, 4pm

Naomh Columba have posted two big wins so far, and it’s hard to see anything but that once again this weekend.

The Glen men have always been good at posting high scores in the Intermediate championship, and the new rules have added to that.

Five goals and 33 points in their opening two wins at home to Milford and away to Cloughaneely, and with the likes of Aaron Doherty, Padraig Byrne, Kevin McNern and youngsters Shane Callaghan and Alex Cunnea firing on all cylinders, they already look like they will be guaranteed a top eight spot with their impressive points difference.

Phillip Doherty’s return from injury, along with Shane O’Gara coming back, has also given them a huge boost and they are riding the crest of a wave at present.

It’s the opposite for Na Rossa, who look likely to be battling in a relegation play-off.

They have had good performances from Aidan McHugh, Christian Bonner, and Odhran Molloy, while Oisin Caulfield was in from the start against Milford, but they still were heavily beaten for the second game in a row after a loss to Naomh Muire in Dooey the previous week.

Another loss would almost certainly put them in the bottom four as they have a poor points difference.

Verdict: Naomh Columba.

Red Hughs vs Milford

Pairc Aodh Rua, 4pm

Red Hughs are in a similar position to Naomh Columba as they are the only other side with two wins from two.

They had little fuss in their home opener against Cloughaneely as they won by nine, but their away win in the Banks against Naomh Muire was a real statement of intent.

County panellists Stephen McMenamin and Jonny Carlin, who is back in the Red and Black after years away, have been impressing, as has the returning Jack Gillespie, who leads the way in the scoring charts for Darren O’Leary’s men.

Milford returned to winning ways against Na Rossa after their heavy opening defeat in Glencolmcille.

Darragh Black has hit a goal in both games to date, while Cathal McGettigan and Shane Black impressed against the Lettermacaward side.

But it will be a tougher test against a side that have only lost to Burt this year, although the two points will be more important for the Moyle View Park men at present.

Verdict: Red Hughs. 

Cloughaneely vs Naomh Muire, Íochtar Na Rosann

Pairc Naomh Fionnan, 5pm

Cloughaneely are in the position now where they must win to avoid the bottom four.

Relegated from the Senior championship last year and losing talisman Jason McGee, it has been a rocky couple of years for the club.

Donnachadh Ó Baoighill has been a shining light for the Pairc Naomh Fionnan club, but big defeats to Red Hughs and Milford leaves them propping up the table.

With one home game left, it’s a must win for Michael Lynch’s men, but they will be underdogs against a Naomh Muire side who will be looking to bounce back from defeat to Red Hughs.

Eoin Martin has 21 points in their two games, and while Adam O’Brien made a return off the bench, they are still without Harry Harden, but they will be expecting to put in a better performance from their one goal loss to the Cross men.

Verdict: Naomh Muire.