Group toppers Slane and St Vincent's may have the edge in JFC semis

Tom Gannon

Two of the most exciting sides in the JFC will clash in this year’s opening semi-final clash at Ashbourne on Saturday. Clann na nGael will be looking to repeat their 2023 exploits at his stage of the competition while St Vincent’s Ardcath has also got experience and success in the recent past having been crowned champions in 2021.

St Vincent’s will be full of confidence after a 100% win rate in the group saw them earn automatic qualification for the semi-final. St Vincent’s final group clash saw them get the better of Dunderry by eight points. The talented Michael McIvor was again on form on that occasion as he secured a brace of goals. McIvor may still be quite young but he is quickly becoming a real superstar and he is certainly the dangerman in the St Vincent’s attack.

Having reached the final in 2023, Clann na nGael proved that they mean business once more in 2024 with a comfortable victory over St Ultan’s in the quarter-final. The O Donnchadha brothers, Eamon Og and Diarmuid are stand-out performers and the workrate of Diarmuid in particular is phenomenal. They were up against a depleted St Ultan’s side but it was an impressive win nevertheless.

This may turn out to be a tight affair, but given that they have had the break to get ready and prepare, it is hard not to fancy St Vincent’s to come out on top.

The other semi-final will see a so far very impressive Slane side take on Dunsany who edged out a fancied Ballinlough outfit last time out in the quarter-final.

It's hard to argue against Slane being one of if not the most consistent club in the county over the last 12 months. Since lifting the JBFC in 2023, they have only suffered two defeats, one in the league final and the other coming in the group stage against a Syddan side who are probably a little bit unlucky not to be contesting the knockout stages.

Slane are many people's favourites to go all the way in the competition and have been for quite some time. They're a team on the rise in Meath and it would be no surprise to see this group of players eventually scaling the heights to compete at the top level of Meath football.

They have quite a way to go before that though but it's easy to see why many people see how Slane can build on their JBFC title with a JFC title in 2024.

A daunting assignment indeed for Dunsany, and they will need to call upon all of their experience at this level if they are going to trouble the up-and-coming Slane outfit. Luckily for Dunsany, they have experience in abundance and they have been involved at this stage of the competition countless times over the last decade.

They have been beaten finalists in four of the last nine editions of the JFC.

Dunsany did grind out a fantastic win the last day over Ballinlough but that may be as good as it will get and you have to fancy a very strong Slane side to come out on top here.

JUNIOR B FC

The first of the JBFC semi-finals sees Carnaross face Kilmainhamwood. Carnaross had been cruising in the JBFC in the group stages and looked untouchable, but their quarter-final victory over Cortown was less than convincing and they really needed to dig deep against a side who up to that point had shown much in the championship. However, a wake-up call may be exactly what Carnaross needed and they should have enough to see off Kilmainhamwood and as expected reach the JBFC Final.

The other semi-final sees Moynalty take on St Mary’s. Moynalty are seen as Carnaross’s biggest challengers for the title and they have been in impressive form. Their 4-15 to 1-6 victory over Clonard in the quarter-final was particularly eye-catching and a repeat of that sort of performance will be more than enough for them to see off the challenge of a St Mary’s side who have done well to get to this stage of the competition.