Premier Intermediate Football Round 3 ties promise exciting fare;

The McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Premier IFC is unusual among the various county championship grades in that just two knockout spots remain up for grabs with one round of group games remaining.

The three groups conclude on Saturday evening (all six games commence at 6.15pm) and four sides have already had their boarding passes for the knockout stages printed and scanned.

Bantry Blues, the defeated finalists of the last two years, have guaranteed their progress from Group 2 with wins over Nemo Rangers and Bandon, though first place has yet to be secured. On Saturday, they take on Naomh Abán in Newcestown and this battle of the blues will determine top spot. Naomh Abán sit on three points, having drawn with Nemo in their last outing, and would pass Bantry out with a win.

A draw would maintain the status quo and send both through while a Bantry win would put them top, possibly looking to a semi-final, and leave their Baile Bhúirne opponents waiting on the Nemo-Bandon result.

Nemo have a point and so must beat the Lilywhites in Ballygarvan while also trying to overturn a 13-point aggregate scoring-difference deficit. Bandon will be seeking to avoid the relegation play-off by picking up their first points.

Things are cut and dried in Group 1, where Uibh Laoire and Aghabullogue have both beaten Aghada and Ilen Rovers. The leaders’ meeting in Kilmurry will decide the top two places – Uibh Laoire have a healthy advantage on the scoring-difference front should a draw occur and a win for them will secure direct progress to the semi-final stage.

The other game, in Brinny, will be all about trying to finish third and escape any relegation worries. Aghada have the edge in the event of a draw and, if the East Cork side were to win, then Ilen’s scoring difference would almost certainly leave them in the relegation play-off, hoping not to endure a third straight demotion.

In Group 3, Kilshannig will finish top regardless of what happens in their game in Kanturk against Macroom – who will be seeking to evade having to contest the relegation play-off for the second year in a row.

Wins over Rockchapel and Castletownbere mean that, even if the Avondhu side were to lose, they would still have the head-to-head advantage over which side emerges from the winner-take-all clash in Cill na Martra. Rockchapel would take second place if that game were to finish in a draw. (Words courtesy Denis Hurley, The Echo)

Advanced ticket sales only from gaacork.ie/tickets 

ALL TO PLAY FOR IN ROUND 3 of McCARTHY INSURANCE GROUP PREMIER JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP; (By Denis Hurley, The Echo)

With just one qualification spot definitely nailed down, there is much to play for as the group stages of the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier JFC concludes on Friday night (all games 7.30pm).

Kilmurry have booked their knockout spot from Group 1 after wins over Cobh and St James’, though the Mid-Cork side have yet to guarantee themselves first place.

They take on Canovee in what could be a cracking derby tie in Macroom on Friday, a game where the winners will finish top. If Kilmurry – beaten finalists last year – were to make it three wins from three, then Cobh could have a chance to take second place ahead of Canovee.

The East Cork side drew with last year’s JAFC winners four weeks ago, meaning that if they were to beat the already eliminated St James’ in Ovens and finish level on points with the Carrigadrohid club, scoring difference would determine the placings. Currently, Canovee are on +6 with Cobh on -1.

In Group 2, Kinsale lead the way with four points while Cullen and Glenville have two each and Ballydesmond have yet to register.

Despite the good start, Kinsale could theoretically miss out if they were to lose to Glenville in Páirc Uí Rinn, with Cullen overcoming Ballydesmond in Glantane. Such a scenario would leave a three-way tie on four points, necessitating scoring difference as a tie-breaker.

While Kinsale have maximum points, their scoring difference is +3 but Glenville’s is +5, meaning any defeat would have the Imokilly side ahead – Cullen are on -1 and a victory of three points or more would suffice.

On the other hand, if Kinsale were to win then Ballydesmond could squeeze into a tie for second if they win. However, with their scoring aggregate currently at -7, they would need to beat Cullen by four points and hope that Glenville suffer a substantial defeat to Kinsale.

Like Kinsale, Buttevant have two wins but are not yet mathematically certain of progress – however, a scoring difference of +35 means that it would take a catastrophic turn of events for them to miss out.

They face Urhan in Ballincollig and the Beara side have two points, along with St Nick’s, who meet Millstreet in Mourneabbey. Urhan have a scoring difference of -2, with the city side having -18 with Millstreet, who must win to have any hope, on -15.

Please note advanced ticket sales only from gaacork.ie/tickets  U16’s FREE