BIG MATCH PREVIEWS: Clash of Trim and O'Mahonys to attract huge crowd to Navan
Four Premier FC finals down for decision
The 16 senior clubs and the eight teams in the two four team groups in the IFC will finally get their championship campaigns up and running next weekend where the clash of IFC champions Trim, managed by former Navan O'Mahonys star Kevin Reilly, will face-off against Navan O'Mahonys who are coached by legendary Trim man Darren Fay.
In such a tight Group C Sunday's meeting of those two old big-town rivals will be absolutely crucial in determining their year ahead, but there are also many other games that will play a huge part in sorting out the genuine contenders from those in relegation bother.
SFC
Wolfe Tones v Skryne: Champions Wolfe Tones get the defence of their Keegan Cup up and running with a tough test against All-Ireland 7s champions Skryne in Pairc Tailteann on Friday night. When the sides met in A FL Div 1A in June Skryne had five points to spare in victory and while it will be tight again they are capable of producing another win. Verdict - Skryne.
Seneschalstown v St Colmcille's: Two very young sides should provide plenty of entertainment at Ardcath on Saturday evening, but St Colmcille's look more equipped to be serious contenders. Whoever wins this one will build themselves a major platform in what is a very tough group. St Colmcille's look to have more aces. Verdict - St Colmcille's.
Moynalvey v Curraha: On form all indicators point to an easy win for Moynalvey in Skryne on Saturday evening. When they met in April in A FL Div 1B both sides were still without key players as Moynalvey won by three points. Curraha will be able to call on a number of talented players, but Moynalvey should be too strong. Verdict - Moynalvey.
Trim v Navan O'Mahonys: Pairc Tailteann on Sunday is the place to be. While neither side are expected to be serious contenders for honours this clash of old-town rivals and the sub plot of former club legends returning to take charge against their old clubs ensures a huge crowd should be in attendance. Trim have a remarkable record of 31 wins from their last 33 games, but none of those games were at senior level where O'Mahonys have the know-how. Should be very tight, but Trim should keep their winning run going. Verdict - Trim.
Gaeil Colmcille v Donaghmore/Ashbourne: Two teams that have tasted heartbreak in the very recent past in SFC finals and two sides that might very well feel their best chance of glory has passed them by. However, a win in Pairc Tailteann on Sunday would boost confidence significantly and while Donaghmore/Ashbourne won their league meeting back in March Gaeil Colmcille will feel they can find enough to get their bid off to a winning start. Donaghmore/Ashbourne won their quarter-final meeting last year too, but tables could be revered here. Verdict - Gaeil Colmcille.
Ratoath v Simonstown: These two sides have been in four of the last six SFC finals and while they are both considered serious contenders Ratoath look the most equipped to make a return to the showpiece decider next October. Simonstown have endured a tough year so far and narrowly avoided relegation from A FL Div 1A. Ratoath should be too strong at Ashbourne on Sunday. Verdict - Ratoath.
Ballinabrackey v Na Fianna: Another one of those first round ties that just has classic written all over it. Two enterprising, entertaining teams that like to play football. Ballinabrackey have moved away from their defensive approach and have suffered a bit because of it and if Na Fianna are on their game at Clonard on Saturday then they might take advantage. Verdict - Na Fianna.
St Peter's v Summerhill: The two favourites to emerge from Group D will be eager to get off to a winning start and make life a little easier further down the road. When they met back in the opening round of A FL Div 1A back in March they finished level and that outcome would be a major surprise in Trim on Friday evening. Verdict - Draw.
IFC
St Patrick's v Dunshaughlin: The favourites Dunshaughlin will take on the form team in the IFC at Ashbourne on Friday night in what will be a serious test of Richie Kealy's side's title credentials. St Pat's have had good wins over Blackhall Gaels and Bective, while Dunshaughlin opened with a win over Kilmainham and should earn their second victory here. Verdict - Dunshaughlin.
Duleek/Bellewstown v Ballivor: Ballivor can be a bit hit and miss. On their day they are capable of beating most sides, but Duleek/Bellewstown look like they mean business and they should win in Walterstown on Friday. Verdict - Duleek/Bellewstown.
Oldcastle v Walterstown: Both these sides reached the knockout stages last year, but since then Walterstown's powers have waned. Oldcastle should have too much in Pairc Colmcille Kells on Saturday as they bid to return to the final. Verdict - Oldcastle.
Drumbaragh v Longwood: Longwood appear to be suffering badly in a tough period of transition. Blessed with quality footballers it's the quantity that is letting them down and they might struggle in Kildalkey on Saturday. Verdict - Drumbaragh.
St Michael's v St Vincent's: Is sure to be another tight contest in Seneschalstown on Sunday, but St Michael's greater experience at this level might be enough to get them over the line against last year's JFC champions. Verdict - St Michael's.
Nobber v Dunderry: The loss of star forward Jordan Morris is a huge blow to Nobber, but even if they had the now Kingscourt Star man in their side they would still struggle against Dunderry at Bohermeen on Sunday. Verdict - Dunderry.
Blackhall Gaels v Bective: Blackhall Gaels have had a month to stew over their disappointing show against St Pat's in round one, but they are unlikely to find things a lot easier against Bective at Dunsany on Sunday. Verdict - Bective.
Clann na nGael v Meath Hill: This will be a tight one in Kilmainham. Neither has managed a win yet and both have struggled to make any kind of impression. A win is crucial if one of these two is to avoid relegation. Verdict - Meath Hill.
JFC
Moylagh v Castletown: Castletown are two from two and look most likely to succeed in Ballinlough on Friday against Moylagh who beat Boardsmill in their only outing. Verdict - Castletown.
Boardsmill v Kilbride: Boardsmill are struggling, whereas Kilbride were very impressive in their win over Carnaross. Only one result expected in Moynalvey on Friday. Verdict - Kilbride.
Syddan v Ballinlough: Syddan beat Moynalty by two points in round one. Ballinlough also beat Moynalty by two points in round two, but Ballinlough's heavy loss to St Ultan's showed frailties Syddan might exploit at Nobber on Sunday. Verdict - Syddan.
Moynalty v Dunsany: Moynalty need to pick up a quick and quickly. However, that is unlikely to come against Dunsany at Athboy on Sunday. Verdict - Dunsany.
JUNIOR B FC
Drumconrath v Clonard: Drumconrath have been mightily impressive, whereas Clonard look to be a struggling outfit. Should be easy for Drumconrath in Dunderry on Friday. Verdict - Drumconrath.
Cortown v Kilmainhamwood: Kilmainhamwood's two losses from three games has been surprising and if they were to slip up again against Cortown at Carlanstown on Friday they are in real danger of missing out on a semi-final place. Tight one expected. Verdict - Kilmainhamwood.
St Brigid's v Slane: Chalk it up now, easy win for St Brigid's in Carnaross on Friday. The Ballinacree side are simply too good for this level. Verdict - St Brigid's.
PREMIER FC DIV 5 FINAL
Moynalty v St Colmcille's: Moynalty have lost a huge amount of players to their first team and even though they beat St Colmcille's in the group stages they look destined for defeat in this final at Walterstown on Tuesday of next week. Verdict - St Colmcille's.
PREMIER FC DIV 6 FINAL
Bective v Ratoath: Bective got a walkover from Ballinlough in their semi-final, while Ratoath's goals were crucial when they edged out Meath Hill. Ratoath had two points tospare when the sides met earlier in the year and their third team might be too strong for Bective's seconds at Dunshaughlin on Saturday. Verdict - Ratoath.
PREMIER FC DIV 7 FINAL
Gaeil Colmcille v Trim: Both teams had impressive wins in their semi-finals on Tuesday night with the Kells men seeing off Castletown and Trim edging out O'Mahonys. When they met in the group stages Gaeil Colmcille scored an easy win and it will be tough for Trim to turn that around in Pairc Cholmcille on Friday night at 7.15pm. Verdict - Gaeil Colmcille.
PREMIER FC DIV 9 FINAL
Carnaross v Duleek/Bellewstown: Carnaross's second string against Duleek/Bellewstown's thirds should indicate a win for a potentially stronger second string. However, both sides have lost players so it comes down to strength in depth. Duleek/Bellewstown had two points to spare when they met in the group stages. Expect a similar outcome in Slane on Saturday. Verdict - Duleek/Bellewstown.