Ulster Club IFC/JFC 2023

[general_lee]

In Junior, Fintona will have far too much for Ballyhegan. Junior in Armagh isn't of a great standard and Ballyhegan were stuffed by a reserve team in the final.

St Paul's are in their second Intermediate final in a row and third final in four years. Despite beating Cullyhanna in the last league game of the season to deny them any chance of promotion, they'll be big underdogs. Cullyhanna have 3 intercounty players and have been shooting the lights out at this level. Expect them to make swift their return to senior football - it will be a humdinger with them  v either Moy or Pomeroy.

[J70]

Two of Declan Bonner's sons were lining out for Na Rossa at the weekend, as was Adrian Sweeney, former county star, who transferred from Dungloe not too long ago. Another lad who was in the Donegal squad for a few years, Adrian Hanlon, also lined out.

Some comeback for Bonner and the rest of the club. They came near to folding in recent years.

Adrian Sweeney must be near 50?

He's 47-48ish. Retired from intercounty in 2008.

Its only a few years since NaRossa were so short that Declan Bonner himself lined out in nets at the age of 54!

https://www.donegaldaily.com/2019/09/28/declan-bonner-to-the-fore-as-na-rossa-reach-junior-semi-finals/

[Armagh18]

In Junior, Fintona will have far too much for Ballyhegan. Junior in Armagh isn't of a great standard and Ballyhegan were stuffed by a reserve team in the final.

St Paul's are in their second Intermediate final in a row and third final in four years. Despite beating Cullyhanna in the last league game of the season to deny them any chance of promotion, they'll be big underdogs. Cullyhanna have 3 intercounty players and have been shooting the lights out at this level. Expect them to make swift their return to senior football - it will be a humdinger with them  v either Moy or Pomeroy.

Not really fair on Ballyhegan after getting a tanking asking them to play in Ulster. Hope they can pull together and put up a good performance. Cullyhanna on paper have far too much for St Paul's but Murnin is good enough to win games on his own at that level. Cullyhanna probably have had an Ulster run on their minds since they were relegated though.

[ClubScene13]

IFC very lop sided draw for me. Would it be a bold shout to say Moy / Pomeroy, Cullyhanna and Carrickmacross might be the 3 strongest teams if they make it that far and only one can make the Ulster final

[InnocentByStander]

IFC very lop sided draw for me. Would it be a bold shout to say Moy / Pomeroy, Cullyhanna and Carrickmacross might be the 3 strongest teams if they make it that far and only one can make the Ulster final

Wouldn't be too quick to look past Banagher if they come out of Derry

[ClubScene13]

IFC very lop sided draw for me. Would it be a bold shout to say Moy / Pomeroy, Cullyhanna and Carrickmacross might be the 3 strongest teams if they make it that far and only one can make the Ulster final

Wouldn't be too quick to look past Banagher if they come out of Derry

Entirely possible, the Ulster club at Intermediate and Junior can tend to be a bit of a lottery at times, didn't mention Derry just based on Glenullin's showing last year

[InnocentByStander]

IFC very lop sided draw for me. Would it be a bold shout to say Moy / Pomeroy, Cullyhanna and Carrickmacross might be the 3 strongest teams if they make it that far and only one can make the Ulster final

Wouldn't be too quick to look past Banagher if they come out of Derry

Entirely possible, the Ulster club at Intermediate and Junior can tend to be a bit of a lottery at times, didn't mention Derry just based on Glenullin's showing last year

Glenullin are a better team this year than last year too not as old and a few new fresh young faces. Banagher have usually been a senior side won IFC in 2018 and lost in the SF in free kicks. Derry's winners will be stronger this year

[OakLeaf]

Glenullin are a better team this year than last year too not as old and a few new fresh young faces. Banagher have usually been a senior side won IFC in 2018 and lost in the SF in free kicks. Derry's winners will be stronger this year

Banagher are playing like a Senior team this year. They will be a handful.

[general_lee]

You'd have to fancy the Derry, Cavan, Tyrone (although could be a toss of a coin if Cullyhanna win Armagh) & Monaghan winners to make the semis.

Glenullin and Banagher both have experience at this level as do The Moy and Pomeroy, the latter two having won the competition in recent  years. Cullyhanna & St Paul's you need to go back near 10 years since either won Armagh.

The rest are unknowns afaik.

[Armagh18]

You'd have to fancy the Derry, Cavan, Tyrone (although could be a toss of a coin if Cullyhanna win Armagh) & Monaghan winners to make the semis.

Glenullin and Banagher both have experience at this level as do The Moy and Pomeroy, the latter two having won the competition in recent  years. Cullyhanna & St Paul's you need to go back near 10 years since either won Armagh.

The rest are unknowns afaik.

St Paul's been falling just short for a good few years in Armagh now and I doubt they'd be looking any further but have plenty of talent and like I've said before Murnin is good enough to win games on his own at this level.

Cullyhanna are a decent senior level team but a pile of injuries/retirements/opt outs in the last few years plus being without 3 county men for league games has seen them slip to intermediate. They've got lads back now and seem to have got their ducks in a row. Couldn't imagine too many intermediate teams in Ulster would have the talent that they do.

Having said that though Armagh teams outside of Cross have barely won a game at any level ever in Ulster. Be hoping for that to change this year for sure

[Hoof Hearted]

Antrims Glenravel aren't a bad side
Untried at this level and have a tough opener. Done the league and champ double this year and have a coach who knows derry intermediate football well so don't rule them out.

[onefineday]

IFC very lop sided draw for me. Would it be a bold shout to say Moy / Pomeroy, Cullyhanna and Carrickmacross might be the 3 strongest teams if they make it that far and only one can make the Ulster final

Wouldn't be too quick to look past Banagher if they come out of Derry

Entirely possible, the Ulster club at Intermediate and Junior can tend to be a bit of a lottery at times, didn't mention Derry just based on Glenullin's showing last year

The 2021 Derry champions, steelstown won the all Ireland in a canter, were barely tested outside of Derry (moortown apart). As you say, lottery.

[DownFanatic]

It has the makings of a very strong Ulster IFC this year. Down's Liatroim have won their first IFC in 25 years and are stacked with a lot of talent including a couple of county players. Would imagine Arva would be big favourites for the JFC.

[ClubScene13]

IFC very lop sided draw for me. Would it be a bold shout to say Moy / Pomeroy, Cullyhanna and Carrickmacross might be the 3 strongest teams if they make it that far and only one can make the Ulster final

Wouldn't be too quick to look past Banagher if they come out of Derry

Entirely possible, the Ulster club at Intermediate and Junior can tend to be a bit of a lottery at times, didn't mention Derry just based on Glenullin's showing last year

The 2021 Derry champions, steelstown won the all Ireland in a canter, were barely tested outside of Derry (moortown apart). As you say, lottery.

That's a great shout I had forgot about Steelstown. Ye never know who has dropped out of senior from 1 bad year that will be strong at this level. Will be interesting to see what comes this year

[lfdown2]

It has the makings of a very strong Ulster IFC this year. Down's Liatroim have won their first IFC in 25 years and are stacked with a lot of talent including a couple of county players. Would imagine Arva would be big favourites for the JFC.

And went on to win the first ever Ulster Intermediate Championship that year, that was the end of the road as there was no All Ireland series yet.