Thursday night specials

last week’s defeat but the Dunbur Park side also need a win and will bring a renewed energy to the tie with that in mind.

Newtown welcome Bray Emmets and this could be a very tight game with both teams notching wins last week, although Bray’s performance suggests that they will start favourites.

Lacken-Kilbride welcome Dunlavin for what should be an interesting local tie but the game of the round could be the meeting of Knockananna and Carnew Emmets in Knockananna at 7.30pm.

Knockananna escaped from Tinahely with a draw last weekend despite falling 0-6 to 0-0 behind in the opening quarter against a very strong Tinahely second string.

This will be Carnew’s first game and they will be bringing a strong panel of household names to the Carlow border and we could be in for a belter of a game.

Knockananna’s Padraig Lancaster scored the vital score to help John Roche’s men avoid defeat in Tinahely while Darren Flynn was the star man for much of the game with substitute Kevin Tyrrell catching the eye when he was introduced in the second half.

Expect plenty of experience in the Carnew side with the likes of Timmy Collins, Mark Collins and Willie Collins lining out along with Graham Keogh and many more decorated stars of hurling and football.

Avoca, fresh from their draw with AGB last Thursday evening, welcome Avondale to Rooster Park. It’s never an easy place to go, as Avondale will know all too well and both sides will know plenty about each other.

Expect a great game with plenty of atmosphere.