Fierce fight for Longford SFC quarter-final places

With at least half of the quarter-finalists virtually guaranteed after just a couple of games in the group stage, the pressure is piling on a number of clubs to stay alive in the fierce fight to make it through to the last eight in the race for the senior football championship title.

While the former Longford and Leinster club champions Mullinalagha are in a spot of bother after losing their first two fixtures against the pacesetters Clonguish and Rathcline, that situation will change if they succeed in beating Slashers at C & D Devine in Edgeworthstown this Friday night, throw-in 7.45pm. 

Both clubs have been hit by injury problems but a significant boost for St Columba’s is the return of Aidan McElligott after completing his two-match suspension that was carried over from last year’s championship after receiving a red card in the semi-final defeat against Colmcille. 

With Gary Rogers back home after spending some time in Australia, the Mullinalaghta men will be fancied to get back on track against Slashers who will be dragged into the struggle should they lose this crunch game. 

The reigning champions Abbeylara are also under pressure after losing to Rathcline and are unlikely to get anything from the clash against Clonguish at McGee Park in Aughnacliffe on Sunday (4pm).

So at this stage of the championship there is a lot at stake and Granard will be in serious trouble in the other group should they lose to Colmcille at Lynch Park in Abbeylara on Saturday evening (7pm).

The point that Carrickedmond gained in the fully merited draw against Killoe in the previous round could well prove to be crucial and Eugene McCormack’s side are expected to register their first win in what could be a tricky test against Mostrim at Keenan Park in Ardagh on Sunday evening (6pm),

The other Carrick fixtures against Dromard (looking good to make further progress) and Granard will sort out the situation in this group and the overall picture will be clearer following the Round 3 games this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

Peter Hanley Motors Senior Football Championship Round 3 Fixtures

Friday 8 August

Group A

Drumlish, Monaduff: Dromard v Killoe Emmet Og, 8pm

Prediction: Killoe

Group B

Edgeworthstown, C & D Devine Park: Mullinalaghta St. Columba's v Longford Slashers, 7.45pm

Prediction: Mullinalaghta 

Saturday 9 August

Group A

Abbeylara, Lynch Park: St. Mary's Granard  v Colmcille, 7pm

Prediction: Colmcille

 Group B

Stonepark, Dunbeggan: Rathcline v Fr Manning Gaels, 7pm

Prediction: Rathcline

Sunday 10 August

Group B

Aughnacliffe, Fr McGee Park: Clonguish v Abbeylara, 4pm

Prediction: Clonguish 

Group A

Ardagh, Keenan Park: Mostrim v Carrickedmond, 6pm

Prediction: Carrickedmond 

Start of the Intermediate Football Championship

The start of the 2025 Mulleady Group Intermediate Football Championship is also part of a packed programme this weekend with Sean Connolly’s hoping to make amends for the bitter disappointment of losing the last two finals.

Having said that, the battle for the Hennessy Cup looks to be a wide open affair with the Division 2 league champions Cashel another contender for the title. 

The surprise package this season so far have been last year’s Junior ‘A’ champions Grattans who will be quietly confident of making it through to the Intermediate semi-finals involving the eventual top two teams in each group. 

Mulleady Group Intermediate Football Championship Round 1 Fixtures

Friday 8 August

Group A

Kenagh, McGann Park: Grattan Óg v Ardagh Moydow, 8pm

Prediction: Grattans 

Saturday 9 August 

Group B

Newtowncashel, Páirc Chiarán: Kenagh v Ballymahon, 7pm

Prediction: Kenagh 

Sunday 10 August 

Group A

Slashers, Fay Park: St. Brigid's Killashee v Sean Connolly's, 2.30pm

Prediction: Connolly’s

 Group B

Ballymahon, Leo Casey Park: Cashel v Ballymore, 2.30pm

Prediction: Cashel