GROUP A

Stabannon Parnells

Manager: Ollie McDonnell Go-to-guy: Aonghus Giggins Group rivals: Dundalk YI & John Mitchaels 2017: Quarter-final Verdict: Should emerge from group, but a semi-final spot is probably the best they can hope for thereafter.

Dundalk Young Irl

Manager: Adrian Kieran Maguire O’Donoghue / Go-to-guy: Derek Maguire Group rivals: Stabannon Parnells & John Mitchaels 2017: Relegated from Intermediate Verdict: Should top this group and look a solid bet for Christy Bellew glory.

John Mitchels

Manager: Hugh Diamond Go-to-guy: John Gallagher Group rivals: Stabannon Parnells & Dundalk Young Irl 2017: Group stages Verdict: Probably the underdogs in this group but a win over Stabannon not completely beyond the Ballybailie men.