Ulster Club IFC and JFC 2024

[DownFanatic]

Ulster Club IFC 2024

Preliminary Round - 3/11/24

Tyrone v Donegal

Quarter Finals - 10/11/24

Fermanagh v Monaghan
Down v Cavan
Derry v Armagh
Antrim v Tyrone/Donegal


Ulster Club JFC 2024

Preliminary Round - 27/10/24

Derry v Tyrone

Quarter Finals - 3/11/24

Donegal v Antrim
Down v Armagh
Fermanagh v Monaghan
Cavan v Derry/Tyrone

[general_lee]

Business end for Armagh JFC, QF draw

Forkhill v Lissummon
Newtown v An Port Mór
Collegeland v St Peter's II
Ballyhegan v Middletown

Bit of a shock St Peter's II seeing off Éire Óg, they're in bonus territory going forward. Forkhill are favourites though and it is probably theirs to lose, especially as Ballyhegan v Middletown tie will see one of the main challengers eliminated.

IFC QF draw pending but a couple of mini shocks with Derrynoose knocking 2022 champions Shane O'Neill's out as well as Annaghmore seeing off Tullysaran over the weekend.

[DownFanatic]

Knockbride ran eventual All Ireland Junior champions Arva close last year so I'd imagine that they'd be a sho-in for the Cavan JFC and an Ulster title. They played Division 1 football in Cavan this year too so that's a massive advantage for them.

Ballinderry look fancied for the IFC in Derry and would surely have the pedigree for a strong stab at the Ulster considering their strength and history.

[scout]

In Tyrone the landscape is looking as below:

IFC - Moortown having won it 2021 look red hot favourites to win it.Moy probably the next best, but county players carrying knocks.
League champions gortin knocked out first round by Owen Roes (dark horses).

JFC - looking like Aghaloo or Drumquin/Killeeshil (who play each other) only possible candidates.

We are at QF stages of both.

[Hoof Hearted]

In Tyrone the landscape is looking as below:

IFC - Moortown having won it 2021 look red hot favourites to win it.Moy probably the next best, but county players carrying knocks.
League champions gortin knocked out first round by Owen Roes (dark horses).

JFC - looking like Aghaloo or Drumquin/Killeeshil (who play each other) only possible candidates.

We are at QF stages of both.

moortown/balinderry would be an interesting clash if it ever came about !

[Armagh18]

Forkhill probably as good as certs for Armagh junior and would imagine the talent would be there for a run at Ulster.

Intermediate genuinely wide open, St Pauls probably favourites along with Pearse Og's but no stand out team and wouldn't expect much in Ulster.

[SouthOfThe Bann]

Knockbride ran eventual All Ireland Junior champions Arva close last year so I'd imagine that they'd be a sho-in for the Cavan JFC and an Ulster title. They played Division 1 football in Cavan this year too so that's a massive advantage for them.

Ballinderry look fancied for the IFC in Derry and would surely have the pedigree for a strong stab at the Ulster considering their strength and history.

If the boookies were doing odds I would Imagine Knockbride would be favourites to win Cavan Junior and Ulster at this stage.

However I don't think they have the same steel that Arva had last year and could be got at in Ulster especially on heavier pitches.

They were relegated from division 1 in Cavan this year and were very unlucky in doing so.

And before anyone plays the division 1 teams shouldn't be playing junior card.

Knockbride have been playing junior for the guts of 15 years now and have been unable to win it.

[square_ball]

Forkhill probably as good as certs for Armagh junior and would imagine the talent would be there for a run at Ulster.

Intermediate genuinely wide open, St Pauls probably favourites along with Pearse Og's but no stand out team and wouldn't expect much in Ulster.

Pearse Og must have had a bit of a fall from grace? Whats happened there? Surely they'd have big playing numbers at all age groups coming through.

[Armagh18]

Forkhill probably as good as certs for Armagh junior and would imagine the talent would be there for a run at Ulster.

Intermediate genuinely wide open, St Pauls probably favourites along with Pearse Og's but no stand out team and wouldn't expect much in Ulster.

Pearse Og must have had a bit of a fall from grace? Whats happened there? Surely they'd have big playing numbers at all age groups coming through.

Think they'd a bad couple of years there with injuries/retirements/lads stepping away but seem to be back on track. Still a couple of boys with senior medals and won the league there

[general_lee]

Pearse Óg like any team went through a bit of a lean period. They were the only team to give Cullyhanna a match in Armagh last year at Intermediate level. Much more open championship this year, though both they & Cruppen are probably out in front as the two favourites but the remaining teams are all potential banana skins.

[Ethan Tremblay]

Being a city team, was it a case of being a 'lean period' in terms of lack of players available? I know country teams have 'lean periods' where the players are just not there, but a bit rarer for a larger town/city team. 

St Pauls have been knocking on the door for a few years so I would have them as contenders again, although they had a mixed league. 

[lurganblue]

Being a city team, was it a case of being a 'lean period' in terms of lack of players available? I know country teams have 'lean periods' where the players are just not there, but a bit rarer for a larger town/city team. 

St Pauls have been knocking on the door for a few years so I would have them as contenders again, although they had a mixed league. 

Murnin makes a huge difference to them of course, and his absence would likely impact upon the league.  I see the intermediate a little more open than last year when Cullyhanna were miles ahead.

[general_lee]

Being a city team, was it a case of being a 'lean period' in terms of lack of players available? I know country teams have 'lean periods' where the players are just not there, but a bit rarer for a larger town/city team. 

St Pauls have been knocking on the door for a few years so I would have them as contenders again, although they had a mixed league. 

I'd say so. Paul Duffy still pulling the strings and he must be near 50. Only 4 years ago they were in a SFC semi final, however seemed to go into a downward trajectory for a couple of years.

Can never rule St Paul's out, they seem to come into their own come championship time, Murnin makes a massive difference to them.

[lurganblue]

Being a city team, was it a case of being a 'lean period' in terms of lack of players available? I know country teams have 'lean periods' where the players are just not there, but a bit rarer for a larger town/city team. 

St Pauls have been knocking on the door for a few years so I would have them as contenders again, although they had a mixed league. 

I'd say so. Paul Duffy still pulling the strings and he must be near 50. Only 4 years ago they were in a SFC semi final, however seemed to go into a downward trajectory for a couple of years.

Can never rule St Paul's out, they seem to come into their own come championship time, Murnin makes a massive difference to them.

He'd only be 40/41 but I do get your point. That said I watched him "pull the strings" in a game about a year ago and he was outstanding still. Ogs certainly seem to have had a lean enough period. I watched their minors last week and there were at least 2/3 high quality players coming through who will make good seniors if they stick at it of course.   

[general_lee]

Armagh IFC QF Draw
Wolfe Tones v Annaghmore
St Paul's v Derrynoose
Pearse Óg v Clann Éireann II
Carrickcruppen v Grange

Bit of a disaster from Keady last night getting beat by Clann Éireann IIs in the last of the playoffs. They were very close to getting promotion to senior through the leagues so they'll be disappointed with that.