Survival and a place in the final on the line in Sunday morning clashes
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THERE is plenty at stake before today’s senior championship quarter-finals even get under way, with two crucial games down for decision earlier.
Graiguecullen and Crettyard meet in the final SFC ‘B’ quarter-final in Stradbally, where victory will bring the significant reward of securing senior football for another season.
Meanwhile, Ballyfin and Ballylinan battle it out in Annanough for a place in the Intermediate Football Championship final against Kilcavan.
For Graiguecullen and Crettyard, Sunday’s assignment is all about survival.
The winners can put any worries about relegation behind them, while the losers will be left facing an uncomfortable end to their championship campaign.
Graiguecullen will certainly not have expected to find themselves in this position when the championship began. They opened with a victory over Emo before their route eventually led to a Round 3 meeting with Killeshin and suddenly looking over their shoulder.
Their task may also be made more difficult by the expected absence of Jamie O’Brien through injury.
Crettyard have endured their own difficult campaign. They gave St Joseph’s plenty to think about in a narrow opening defeat, but their subsequent loss to Park/Ratheniska was a significant setback.
They do, however, have one of the championship’s most dangerous forwards in Evan O’Carroll. If Crettyard are to pull off the win, they will need others around him to make a telling contribution too.
There should be little mystery between the teams given the proximity of the two clubs and that familiarity could add another edge to a contest where the consequences of defeat are already considerable.
Graiguecullen have enough experience and quality to steady the ship, but Crettyard will know there is an opportunity here if they can produce their best performance of the championship.
Ballyfin’s bid for an immediate return to senior football faces its biggest test yet when they take on Ballylinan for a place in the IFC final. Kilcavan are already waiting for the winners after overcoming Mountmellick on Friday evening.
Sunday is an important day for Ballylinan as the club celebrates its 100th anniversary and GAA President Jarlath Burns is due to visit later in the day to officially open the club’s redeveloped facilities.
Before those celebrations, however, there is the significant matter of a championship semi-final.
Ballyfin entered this season determined to make their stay at intermediate level a short one following their relegation from senior at the hands of Crettyard in 2025.
So far, they have done everything asked of them.
Victories over Portlaoise and Kilcavan in their opening two games secured their place in the semi-finals, although the resulting five-week gap without a competitive fixture leaves them with the challenge of quickly rediscovering their championship intensity.
Ballylinan have travelled a longer road to reach the same point.
They began with a win over Arles Kilcruise before losing to Mountmellick in Round 2. That forced them into Round 3, where they successfully negotiated a meeting with Ballyroan Abbey’s second team.
That extra game means Ballylinan arrive with more recent championship action behind them, while Ballyfin have had considerably more time to prepare for the semi-final.
It makes for an intriguing contest between two clubs with ambitions of playing senior football, but Ballyfin have been impressive enough so far to justify favouritism.
