Plenty to play for as group stages conclude

Let's look at the Meath SFC in terms of a cinematic masterpiece.

In 1972 The Godfather was released after much anticipation and was generally accepted as being a decent movie, winning Best Picture at the Oscars that year.

Two years later The Godfather Two hit the screens and blew audiences away to such an extent that it won six gongs at the Academy Awards in LA, including becoming the first sequel to ever win the Best Picture prize.

Producers waited 16 years before releasing The Godfather Part III and on reflection they might have been better off if they had not bothered - it wasn't great.

To put into context with this year's Meath SFC. We got some excellent, if a little predictable, games in round one. The second round was an absolute classic of shocks, drama and mayhem. So here's hoping that's where the comparisons end and we don't end up with a damp squib round three next weekend.

Such was the drama of round two that while some of the groups are already determined ahead of this week's action, there is still some exciting prospects on the line.

Defending champions Ratoath, Simonstown and Summerhill are the only sides guaranteed their places in the quarter-finals of the race for the Keegan Cup, and of that trio Simonstown and Summerhill are the only ones assured of their place as group winners and therefore a quarter-final against a group runner-up when the draws are made at the Co Board meeting next Monday night.

At the other end of the tables, looking down, Seneschalstown, Skryne and Gaeil Colmcille all have nothing to play for other than pride as they are already resigned to a relegation battle.

Remarkably Group A is the only group where all possibilities remain open for all four sides, although it would take a seismic result or two to deny Dunshaughlin a place in the last eight of the Keegan Cup race.

Even more surprisingly, despite losing both their first two games Donaghmore/Ashbourne can still book their place in the quarter-finals if they can score a win over Na Fianna.

They would also need Dunshaughlin to defeat Curraha and hope there is sufficient scoring difference to finish ahead of both Na Fianna and Curraha, who could all conceivably finish on two points.

By virtue of already beating Trim and St Peter's, Simonstown can't be caught at the top of Group B, so that leaves the only game of consequence in that bracket being the clash of Trim and the Dunboyne men in Summerhill on Saturday, where the winner will advance, while the loser will contest the relegation play-offs along with Seneschalstown. A draw would also suffice for St Peter's in their quest to march onwards.

In Group C Ratoath need the win over St Colmcille's to secure top spot and if that happens then the Seasiders will be waiting anxiously for the result from Dunshaughlin where Moynalvey will take on Skryne knowing a win puts them back in the picture. As it stands Moynalvey's scoring difference is -9, St Colmcille's is +3.

Group D is also exciting with Wolfe Tones and Ballinabrackey set to clash in Trim on Sunday with the winners advancing to the knockout stages and the losers consigned to the relegation battle alongside Gaeil Colmcille.

As is the case for St Peter's in Group B, a draw would be enough to see Wolfe Tones through along with Summerhill, such is their superior scoring difference.

Lights, camera, action.

Curraha v Dunshaughlin: While their win over Donaghmore/Ashbourne may caused a few shocks around the county it really shouldn't be surprising that an attack that contains James McEntee, Diarmuid Moriarty, Conor Moriarty and Jack O'Connor can fire goals at will. However, despite their obvious outstanding individual talent Curraha might find the collective of Dunshaughlin too hot to handle at Ardcath on Friday evening. Verdict - Dunshaughlin.

Donaghmore/Ashbourne v Na Fianna: When latest recruit Sean Hurley limped out of the early stages of Na Fianna's loss to Dunshaughlin it took them a while to recover. Already without Shane Walsh the Enfield/Baconstown men rely heavily on scores from all over the field and that might make it difficult for Donaghmore/Ashbourne to contain them. Donaghmore/Ashbourne still have a chance, but it's a slim one if form is anything to go by at Pairc Tailteann on Friday. Verdict - Na Fianna.

St Peter's v Trim: One of two games this weekend where it is all on the line. Trim proved in their excellent second-half recovery against Seneschalstown that they are still a force to be reckoned with.

They are due to welcome back a couple of more established players who missed the last round. How will St Peter's react to the devastating way they lost to Simonstown last time out? That will be key in Summerhill on Saturday. Trim are on a high, St Peter's have allowed the doubts set in. Verdict - Trim.

Simonstown v Seneschalstown: Nothing at stake in this one at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday. Simonstown are already table toppers, Seneschalstown will go into the relegation as a fourth seed. Seneschalstown will improve as Cathal Finnegan gets more games under his belt, but it's hard to see them stopping Simonstown's winning run. Verdict - Simonstown.

Skryne v Moynalvey: Before the championship started this third round clash at Dunshaughlin on Sunday was expected to determine third and fourth in the group, it might still end up doing so, but for Moynalvey this game is a massive opportunity for them to confound the doubters and stake a claim for a quarter-final spot. Skryne were rocked by Ratoath last time out and they need a response, but Moynalvey will be boosted by their draw with St Colmcille's and they could win a tight one here. Verdict - Moynalvey.

Ratoath v St Colmcille's: St Colmcille's could be playing a dangerous game when they face Ratoath in Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.

They need to avoid a heavy defeat, but if they go out with the idea of shutting up shop them that could come back to bite them. Ratoath look like a dangerous animal right now, so for St Colmcille's it is all about containment and hoping for the right result from Dunshaughlin. Verdict - Ratoath.

Summerhill v Gaeil Colmcille: Both sides have far bigger games ahead. Summerhill might opted to give more game time to their extended panel ahead of their quarter-final, whereas Gaeil Colmcille need to find a return to winning ways as they prepare for the relegation play-offs. Summerhill look to have too much strength in depth and they should be too strong in Pairc Tailteann on Sunday. Verdict - Summerhill.

Wolfe Tones v Ballinabrackey: Another contender for potential game of the week with all to play for. A draw will do Wolfe Tones in Trim on Sunday, but they will be going all out for the win.

Ballinabrackey were impressive in their win over Gaeil Colmcille and while Wolfe Tones are always a threat they might struggle with Saran O Fionnagain suspended following his red card against Summerhill.

This is one game where a shock might be on the cards on a pitch Ballinabrackey know well. Verdict - Ballinabrackey.