St michaels hang on for a draw check out the ifc positions and previews

St Michael's made it across the line and into the IFC knock-out phase with a hard-earned draw against Donaghmore/Ashbourne at Paddy O'Brien Park in Navan tonight.

This was a fortunate draw for St Michael's as Donaghmore / Ashbourne had a couple of late chances to get the win that would have put them through instead.

However, it ended on a 0-13 to 2-7 scoreline with Donaghmore / Ashbourne finding the net in the opening half.

Those two goals gave Donaghmore / Ashbourne a 2-3 to 0-5 interval advantage and it took until midway through the second-half for St Michael's to get back on terms at 0-10 to 2-4.

It was point-for-point in the closing stages and a relieved St Michael's team will know that they must improve if they hope to make any impact the next day.

Nobber enjoyed a 2-12 to 0-5 win over Clann na nGael while in the other game in Group A Kilmainham defeated Cortown by 1-17 to 0-6.

In the Junior B FC Gaeil Colmcille advanced to the quarter-finals proper with a 1-9 to 0-10 win win over St Mary's.

 

PREVIEWS WEEKEND IFC GAMES

Dunderry v Castletown: Dunderry did enough to edge out St Ultan’s in the last round while Castletown lost to Trim. This will be a big test for Castletown, but one they can handle. However, they need to win by a large enough margin to give them a superior scoring difference to Dunderry (currenlty they are minus 17 and would need to win by nine points). It might be a tall order, but they have quality players and could make it. Verdict - Castletown.

Trim v Ballivor: A win for either side here will get them through, the loser could also make it if Castletown win narrowly against Dunderry. The smart money would have to on Trim who are awesome when they want to be. Verdict - Trim.

Ratoath v St Ultan’s: This is the only Group B game that will produce a result that will leave the top and bottom positions quite clear. Ratoath will win and advance, St Ultan’s will face the relegation play-offs. Verdict - Ratoath.

St Colmcille’s v Drumbaragh: Already-qualified St Colmcille’s against relegation-threatened Drumbaragh, only one outcome likely, a win for St Colmcille’s. Verdict - St Colmcille’s.

Oldcastle v Longwood: Oldcastle need to produce some consistency when they tarvel to Dunderry on Saturday evening and they can achieve that aim against a team that is even more inconsistent than they are. Verdict - Oldcastle.

Ballinabrackey v Syddan: Will Ballinabrackey be fired up sufficiently for this encounter at Athboy on Saturday evening? Probably not. That will be good news for Syddan who can capitalise and claim a knock-out place. Verdict - Syddan.

IFC TABLES
GROUP A

                  P W D L F A Pts
Nobber        5 4 1 0 79 43 9
Kilmainham 5 3 2 0 72 47 8
St Michael’s 5 2 2 1 66 65 6
Don/Ash      5 2 1 2 48 52 5
Cortown     5 1 0 4 45 73 2
C na nGael 5 0 0 5 43 73 0

GROUP B
Ratoath      4 4 0 0 91 45 8
Dunderry    4 2 0 2 58 51 4
Trim          4 2 0 2 56 70 4
Ballivor       4 2 0 2 36 51 4
Castletown 4 1 0 3 47 57 2
St Ultan’s    4 1 0 3 36 50 2

GROUP C
St Colmcille’s   4 3 1 0 78 36 7
Ballinabrackey 4 3 0 1 65 39 6
Syddan           4 2 0 2 59 68 4
Oldcastle         4 1 1 2 42 60 3
Longwood        4 1 0 3 41 74 2
Drumbaragh    4 1 0 3 51 59 2

QUARTER-FINALS
B3 v C3 (D) PRELIMINARY
B1 v C2; C1 v A3; B2 v A2; A1 v D.