MATCH PREVIEWS JOHN O’NEILL SAND & GRAVEL ALL-COUNTY LEAGUES ROUND 3

DIVISION 1

THIS will be a warm welcome to the big time for Roche Emmets. The IFC winners are yet to play in Division 1 but face the holders, who swatted aside St Patrick’s in round one. Liable to not be the most pleasing of spectacles but Mochtas’ greater experience of this level should see them prevail. Realistically, Roche need to field their strongest available team in order to compete. VERDICT: Mochta’s.

FECHIN’S have started the year encouragingly and have a deadly forward artillery. They just about held on against Sean O’Mahony’s the last day but face a Pat’s side who will be very short on confidence after a deflating opening round display in Louth Village. The visitors should play better but can they match the tally Fechin’s will boast at the other end? VERDICT: Fechin’s.

A RELEGATION four-point at the San Siro. Both clubs will have been eyeing up this one from the start of the season and considering neither were successful in their first match, the significance of victory in Dundalk will not be lost on either. Mattock have craft but O’Mahony’s tend to base their survival efforts on home form. VERDICT: O’Mahony’s.

NOT an easy one to call considering Blues’ last match was the Sheelan Cup semi-final defeat by Mattock Rangers. Dreadnots started with an impressive win at Cooley Kickhams and have a more experienced side, though the Newfoundwell men expect to be better this year and can get off the mark on home sod.

VERDICT: Blues.

MARY’S are very short of proven options at the moment but were unfortunate not to have got something in round one. The hosts were effective against Mattock Rangers but provided Mary’s don’t foul and get a handle on Jim McEneaney’s play-making, Gers could find it hard to score. VERDICT: Mary’s.

THIS will be an acid test for Cooley, who didn’t perform to anywhere near their potential when losing against Dreadnots. Naomh Máirtín could have players back for this one, having beaten St Mary’s in round one, but they will need Conor Whelan in scoring form after Tom Gray’s injury. This one will be close, especially if Cooley get their defence sorted. VERDICT: Jocks.

DIVISION 2

THESE are the games both teams will need to win in order to stay clear of trouble at the bottom. Lannléire have had a long lay-off and should be fresh coming in having got a look at Glen Emmets in round one. If the hosts can add a few players back in, they should make it two wins from two. VERDICT: Emmets.

HUNTERSTOWN lived up to their preleague billing with a confident display against Dundalk Gaels in round one, whereas Stabannon let a great opportunity to win slip by at Glen Emmets. Two teams with differing expectations for the league, Rovers should be too strong, especially with Glen Mathews looking back to his best. VERDICT: Hunterstown.

THERE is never much between these two and Dundalk Gaels can only improve from their round one showing at home to Hunterstown. Ronan Greene’s Emmets led for most of the second half against St Bride’s on Monday night but were a tad fortunate to hold on for a draw in the end. They had a good spread of scorers in that one and unless Gaels are able to up their tally of registers, Emmets can maintain their unbeaten start. VERDICT: Kilkerley.

O RAGHALLAIGHS won Division 2 at Young Irelands two seasons ago and while they got up and running in round one away to St Kevin’s, expect Dundalk Young Irelands to push very hard for league honours this season. They will play with their usual feistiness and aggression, absolutely determined to get off to the best possible start. VERDICT: Irelands.

NOT a lot of love is lost between these two and a win for St Joseph’s would put three points between the sides at this early juncture. Without Kieran McArdle and Seán Marry, it is difficult to see where Bride’s are going to get the scores they will need to better their neighbours, having been frustrated to draw with Kilkerley. Joe’s can prove their promotion credentials with a second away win of the term. VERDICT: Joe’s.

BOTH clubs lost at home in round one but St Kevin’s were a lot more competitive than Clan na Gael in defeat. Paddy Carr fielded a fresh-looking line-up against O Raghallaighs but they will be that bit stronger if they can get Seánie Crosbie and a few other of their key men back in the line-up. Clans need to respond, however, and Alan O’Neill will have them well set-up to face the home side VERDICT: Draw.

DIVISION 3A

THE BARRS were comfortable winners of last year’s JFC quarter-final and though they have adopted a fresh look this season, they should have the cohesion and talent to win at the Division 3B holders. Though, on a tighter pitch, Mitchel’s will look to block up the scoring zone and provide opportunities for John Gallagher and co at the other end. VERDICT: Barrs.

GLYDE kickstarted their season last year with a league win in Mell and Aaron Hoey’s side will be eyeing a similar outcome to start this term. Plunkett’s were very disappointed by their league play-off performance and have played just once since. Glyde could incur the wrath of a hurting home side here if they’re not careful VERDICT: Plunkett’s.

O’CONNELL’S have a perfect record this season and are already in the Kevin Mullen Shield final. If Niall Conlon continues to score as freely as he has been, Na Piarsaigh Blackrock will find it difficult to match his output. Form suggests an away victory, though the hosts had a tendency to cause upsets during last season’s Division 3A renewal. VERDICT: O’Connell’s.

DIVISION 3B

TWO of the promotion contenders, while St Nicholas had an easy outing in round one, sweeping aside Dowdallshill, Naomh Malachi needed a last gasp goal by David Begley to win at Cuchulainn Gaels. If Nicks are to vie for the title, they need a good home record and it will be interesting to see how they get on here. VERDICT: Nicks.

TONES are targeting an immediate return to Division 3A and these are the matches they will expect to win. Gaels were very unlucky not to get a share of the spoils against Naomh Malachi and if James Sharkey continues to score up front, they will cause teams problems. Just a point was in the difference when they met in last year’s championship. VERDICT: Tones.

KILLIAN Crosbie was the match-winner for Westerns at Annaghminnon in round one and he, along with his colleagues, will view Saturday evening’s trip to St Brigid’s Park as another golden opportunity for a win. Dowdallshill were well-beaten by St Nicholas and confidence will be low. VERDICT: Westerns.

EXPECT there to be little in the difference here. Sean McDermott’s were a tricky proposition last season and having not played a whole lot so far this season, they are somewhat of an unknown quantity ahead of their trip to Stonetown. Rovers were disappointed by their performance against Westerns, having reached the Mullen Shield last four, and will know the importance of picking up a win here. VERDICT: Annaghminnon.