GROUP D

St Nicholas

Manager: Brian Lynch Go-to-guy: Sam Mulroy Group rivals: Naomh Malachi , Sean McDermotts & Lannleire 2017: Semi-finals Verdict: Struggling in the league and their woes look set to continue here. A win against one of these three would be a welcome boost and would be something to build upon.

Naomh Malachi

Manager: Paul McShane Go-to-guy: Ronan Greene Group rivals: St Nicholas, Sean McDermotts & Lannleire 2017: Semi-finals Verdict: On their day the border men are more than capable of emerging from this group and may even top it, but also prone to a bad day at the office. Watch this space.

Lannleire

Manager: John O’Connor/ Peter Neacy/ Martin Farrelly Go-to-guy: Colin Murphy Group rivals: St Nicholas, Naomh Malachi & Sean McDernotts 2017: Semi-finals

Verdict: Should emerge from this group and will be aiming to top it in the process. Another semi-final appearance isn’t beyond the Dunleer men, but Christy Bellew probably is.

Sean McDermotts

Manager: Mark Murray Go-to-guy: Kevin McMahon Group rivals: St Nicholas, Naomh Malachi & Lannleire 2017: Semi-finals Verdict: Will certainly be eyeing a knockout spot, but that will be easier said than done with Lannleire and the Mals to negotiate. May just get left behind on this occasion.