Most things up for grabs in McDonnell Cup
IFC PREVIEW
Prior to the start of this year's IFC it was considered to be as open as it has been for years and after the first two rounds of action that remains the case.
The one surprise is that one or two 'big' names stand on the precipice of elimination.
As it stands Oldcastle, one of those serious contenders before a ball was kicked, stand at the foot of Group A, but the reality of it is that they can still make the quarter-finals. All scenarios are open to every team in that group. O'Mahonys, who were many people's pre-championship favourites to bounce straight back up, are currently top of the pile but by Friday night they could end up in a relegation battle if they lose to Drumbaragh.
All that is left to be determined in Group B is who will finish top and bottom. Castletown will go through as group winners if they draw or beat Duleek-Bellewstown. The same applies at the bottom where a defeat will leave either Blackhall Gaels or St Michael's bottom of the table.
Group C is very much up for grabs. Even Longwood, who sit at the bottom of the table on zero points can make the quarter-finals if they can beat Ballivor by a sufficient margin and hope that Walterstown see off Nobber. In Group D only two things are certain ahead of the final round. St Patrick's are through to the quarter-finals and Dunderry will be in the relegation play-offs under the new management of Kevin Dowd and Stephen O'Rourke following last week's departure of Mickey Clarke - all that remains to decide is who will join them?
That will be decided when Meath Hill take on Bective. A win for either will see them through to the knockout stages, while a draw will be good enough for Bective.
Navan O'Mahonys v Drumbaragh: Even though they produced the shock of the round across all grades in round two when they defeated Oldcastle it is hard to see Drumbaragh repeating that trick against a focused O'Mahonys who need the result. Verdict - Navan O'Mahonys.
Rathkenny v Oldcastle: Everything is on the line for both sides in this one and it promises to be a cracker. Oldcastle need a response to their shock loss last time out, but Rathkenny won't be in the mood to lay down. Verdict - Rathkenny.
Castletown v Duleek-Bellewstown: Both teams are through but they will be keen to top the group and take on a runner-up in the quarter-final. Very evenly matched sides, but Duleek-Bellewstown's more recent experience at this level might be key. Verdict - Duleek-Bellewstown
St Michael's v Blackhall Gaels: Both have massive games ahead in the battle to avoid the drop. Will they go all out to start up a winning run, or do they take the opportunity to blood new players and try new things, because their current plans aren't working? Verdict - St Michael's.
Ballivor v Longwood: You could toss a coin to pick a winner here. Longwood impressed against Walterstown then faltered when fancied against Nobber. Ballivor hammered Nobber in round one, but then slipped up against Walterstown. Massive game, which Ballivor might just shade. Verdict - Ballivor.
Walterstown v Nobber: Walterstown look too good to slip up, but Nobber have a habit of upsetting the odds when they are written off. However, it's hard to see anything other than a win for the all-Blacks in this one. Verdict - Walterstown.
St Patrick's v Dunderry: Dunderry looked way off the pace in their opening two games and look in awful trouble. It's doubtful even their change of management can help them here. Verdict - St Patrick's.
Meath Hill v Bective: This promises to be a cracker with the winner going through. Don't rule out a draw either which would be good enough for Bective. The formbook suggests nothing between them. Bective lost by two points to St Pat's, Meath Hill lost to the Stamullen men by three. Meath Hill beat Dunderry by 10 points, Bective did the same. All points to a draw. Verdict - draw.