By Peter McGrath Junior
Following the conclusion of the round three games on Monday night, the draws were made for the quarter-finals of the Morgan Fuels Down Senior Football Championship (SFC) and the Parador Lodge Down Intermediate Football Championship (IFC) at Páirc Esler.
In the senior championship, the clash between Kilcoo and Loughinisland is set to catch the eye. It’s a repeat of last year’s fixture, in which the Blues pushed the Magpies to within three points and competed well in many areas of the pitch. However, the tie of the round is undoubtedly Warrenpoint versus Clonduff. These two sides have developed a compelling rivalry in recent seasons. Clonduff claimed victory by four points in the opening round last year and won by seven in 2021. Most memorably, Warrenpoint edged out Clonduff on penalties in a dramatic 2020 quarter-final after a thrilling 0-20 to 3-11 draw.
There’s also familiarity in the pairing of Burren and Glenn. The sides met at the semi-final stage last year, and if Glenn are to reach the last four for a third successive season, they’ll need to overcome a Burren side who have looked formidable so far, comfortably dispatching Castlewellan and Loughinisland in their opening matches.
The final senior quarter-final sees Ballyholland take on Carryduff. Ballyholland had to battle hard to get past Drumgath in round three, and they’ll need a much stronger showing—particularly in the middle third—if they’re to compete with a well-organised Carryduff outfit.
In the Parador Lodge Intermediate Championship, there are several enticing matchups. Perhaps the most intriguing is Longstone versus Clann na Banna. Longstone, relegated from the senior ranks last year, impressed with their win over Rostrevor to book a place in the last eight through the front door. Meanwhile, Clann na Banna, last year’s beaten finalists, have had an inconsistent campaign—despite a strong opening-round win against Saval.
Another fascinating fixture is Atticall versus St John’s, with former county teammates Benny Coulter and Jackie Lynch facing off on the sideline. Atticall have shown more consistent form to date, but St John’s are known to be dangerous once they find momentum.
Annaclone, who won Division Three, face a tough test in the form of Rostrevor, who bounced back from a second-round defeat to dismiss Tullylish with ease. It looks a favourable draw for the Reds—one they should win—but it may still pose challenges, given that neither of their two victories to date have truly tested them.
The final IFC quarter-final pits An Riocht against Saval in what could be a real humdinger. Both sides are capable of challenging for the WJ Farrell Cup on their day, but consistency will be key. An Riocht will take encouragement from the strong finish Dromara produced against Saval and will believe they can cause an upset if they hit top form.
Morgan Fuels Senior Championship quarter-finals
Burren v Glenn
Carryduff v Ballyholland
Cumman Pheadaír Naofa v Clonduff
Kilcoo v Loughinisland
Parador Lodge Intermediate Championship quarter-finals
Annaclone v Rostrevor
An Riocht v Saval
Atticall v St John’s
Longstone v Clann na Banna
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