Chronicle Crystal Ball

Rathkenny v Seneschalstown: If the form book was to be ignored or if this game was fixed for the opening round of the SFC then only a real optimist would have predicted anything other than a comfortable win for Seneschalstown. The defending champions against a side who were involved in the relegation process last year. Since the end of the last campaign something has been stirring in Rathkenny and that will cause Seneschalstown concern. Three wins from five A FL Div 2 outings, losing to Dunderry and O'Mahonys, unbeaten after two games of the championship, this has given Rathkenny a significant boost. However, that bubble should burst here. Verdict - Seneschalstown. _____________________________________________________________ Blackhall Gaels v Walterstown: Walterstown would have been given no hope when this fixture was originally drawn, but since then the Blacks have enjoyed a surprise championship win over Dunshaughlin and another victory here would leave them in a strong position. Blackhall Gaels are the epitomy of inconsistency with three wins and two losses from five league games and one win and a draw from their championship games against St Ultan's and Rathkenny respectively. If the Blackhall that showed up against Rathkenny rears its head again then they will be beaten here, but if Leo Turley's side can reproduce the form shown against St Ultan's then Walterstown could be in trouble. Verdict - Blackhall Gaels. _____________________________________________________________ Dunshaughlin v St Ultan's: In a group that involved both Rathkenny and Walterstown neither of these two sides would have thought that this third round tie would be a basement battle that could go a long way towards determining the relegation issue. St Ultan's showed plenty of promise when doing well in the opening round against Seneschalstown, but the subsequent collapse against Blackhall Gaels suggests that the ever-increasing injury list continues to be a problem. Dunshaughlin's loss to Walterstown in the opening round sparked an improvement, but still resulted in a similar outcome against Seneschalstown. A repeat performance from the Seneschalstown game should be enough to succeed here. Verdict - Dunshaughlin. _____________________________________________________________ Skryne v Wolfe Tones: Since losing out in the SFC final replay last year Wolfe Tones have been hit by injuries and other factors that have taken a toll and badly effected results with just one win in seven. Four league defeats, a Feis Cup humbling by Duleek/Bellewstown and an opening round SFC loss to Dunboyne has left Wolfe Tones in the dump. Even the sole championship win over Trim was nothing to get enthused about. Skryne have started the championship with a draw with Simonstown and a comfortable win over St Patrick's. Their 1-14 to 1-9 win over Wolfe Tones in the league will boost confidence and while this tie might not be as easy, the outcome should be the same. Verdict - Skryne. _____________________________________________________________ Simonstown v St Patrick's: Last year Simonstown coasted to an easy seven-point victory when these two sides met in the championship, but such a comfortable win is unlikely this time as neither side are in the best form. The Navan side have three losses and two draws from their five league games and one defeat and one draw from the championship. The seven-point win over Cortown in the Feis Cup is the only competitive victory on the card, but St Patrick's haven't been much better. Three wins in A FL Div 2 proves that St Patrick's do know how to win. However, all those wins have been over intermediate sides, while the championship form has seen them draw with Trim and get hammered by Skryne. Verdict - Draw. _____________________________________________________________ Trim v Dunboyne: Prior to last week it would have been fair to assume that this game would see Dunboyne stretch their 100 per cent record in SFC Group B to three games, but Trim's shock A FL Div 1 win over Dunboyne upset the odds. Trim had been in dreadful form up to that victory. A draw from their SFC opener against St Patrick's was their only reward from two championship matches, three league games and the opening round of the Feis Cup. Dunboyne's only setback was a loss to Blackhall in the first round of the league, but last week's A FL win for Trim will give Darren Fay's side hope. Both sides were understrength for that game, but Dunboyne can expect to find more improvement when returned to full complement. Verdict - Dunboyne. _____________________________________________________________ Duleek/Bellewstown v Oldcastle: It must seem like a lifetime ago since the 18th April when Oldcastle returned to the SFC with a narrow defeat by Navan O'Mahonys. Any momentum built up from that encouraging display has waned with an A FL Div 2 loss to St Ultan's blunting confidence. The six-week wait between championship outings is one of the downfalls of a five-team group, but Oldcastle will know that a victory from this game with put them right back in the qualification picture. Duleek/Bellewstown had a bye in the opening round and showed plenty of spirit when losing to Donaghmore/Ashbourne in their first game. A repeat performance might be enough to give them the edge here. Verdict - Duleek/Bellewstown. _____________________________________________________________ Navan O'Mahonys v Donaghmore/Ashbourne: In what is sure to be one of the more attractive games of the round, Navan O'Mahonys will be strong favourites to stretch their unbeaten start to three games. Donaghmore/Ashbourne capitulated in the opening half against Summerhill and showed several weaknesses, but they improved significantly against Duleek/Bellewstown and displayed a battling quality that will stand to them. On individual talent, these sides are closely matched. O'Mahonys are hampered by injuries, but their demolition of 2008 finalists Summerhill in the last round suggests that they are the team to beat in this year championship. Verict - Navan O'Mahonys.