St. Raymond’s, Cavan to vie for Junior B title

After some early difficulties the Royals have righted their ship and will take some beating from here on out. Keeper Chris Clarke, David Callaghan and Eoin Loughnane lead a mobile defense. Jamie Shaw and Cathal Loughnane are a talented midfield and Brian Newman and Shane McAnnerney will be difficult for Astoria to contain. The Gaels will counter with an all-out effort. Their rugged back six is led by Tim Lynch, Niall Sugrue and Bernard Treanor. Nestor Allen can cause nightmares for any back line, but Meath’s overall strength should be too much for Astoria.

5:30, JFA quarterfinal
Kerry vs. Rangers
Kerry have been the more consistent of the two sides that meet in Saturday’s second playoff match. The Kingdom have several senior-caliber players in their lineup, such as Sammy Finn and Derek Riney, who lead a stingy defense. Miley O’Connell can punish the opposition if he is hitting his frees, while versatile veteran Paudie Mulvihill.has contributed to the cause at both the senior and junior level this season.
Rangers were flying early before stumbling. If they have their summer players available they will be tough. Mike Bishop and the Waterford hurling contingent led by Tomas Maher will be on hand either way, but Kerry should advance.

Sunday, Sept. 12
at Gaelic Park
12:30 p.m., JFB Final
St. Raymond’s vs. Cavan
The first men’s final of the season figures to be a high-scoring affair if the semis are anything to go by. The Saints tallied an impressive 1-18 in their win over a fancied Roscommon team, while Cavan shook the twines an astounding six times as they ended Offaly’s year.
The Breffni men have good performers in Martin McGovern, Sean Lennon and their dangerous full forward line of Ollie Harten, Dessie O’Reilly, and Jim Gilsenan.
The St. Ray’s midfield of C.J. Doherty and Gary Dowd is a very impressive pairing at this level and how they perform will have a lot to say about Sunday’s outcome. Brendan Wiley and Adrian O’Driscoll are others that Raymond’s will look to for big games.
With Cavan unlikely to repeat that six goal effort, St. Raymond’s could do just enough to lift the Cup come Sunday.

2:30 p.m., SH playoff
Kilkenny/N.J. vs. Waterford
Waterford steps up from the B division to challenge the Kilkenny/N.J. combo in Senior hurling playoff action. The Deices can only hope that they still have a few more goals left in their hurls after last week’s eight goal onslaught versus Clare.
Waterford’s lineup has benefited greatly from the addition of Limerick county man Shane O’Connor. While O’Connor runs the show up front, Ray Duggan, Victor O’Shea, and Tomas Maher will try to hold off the Kilkenny/N.J. attack. Jamie Duggan and Joe Walsh have provided Waterford with steady midfield play and will make their opposite numbers work.
The Kilkenny/N.J. combo finished at level pegging in the top half of the hurling draw at 2-2. Ronan Sheedy and Kevin McKay are staunch defenders, although the versatile McKay is just as likely to end up at midfield. Ronan Murphy has played well while Brian Downing has shouldered much of the Jersey Cats scoring load.
With weekenders still available to the hurling clubs, this match could hinge on which team gets the most bang for its buck.

4 p.m., SFB semifinal
Offaly vs. Roscommon
Offaly would appear to have gotten a break when Mayo’s slip up in their final match against Tyrone gave them Roscommon instead of Cork. Naturally the Connacht side will be anxious to turn that perception upside down in this first of two SFB semifinals on Sunday.
Roscommon have played well under the gun, winning matches they had to win to secure the fourth playoff spot. Jamie Sharkey and Pauric Carney have played well in defense and Jonathan Deere has picked up the slack in the middle of the park since Sam Yore was lost to injury. Edmund Cleary does not miss very often from frees and Jason McEvoy, John McFadden, Damien Ward, and Kieran Keaveney lead a capable forward group.
Offaly have been chasing this SFB title since it came into being and it won’t be for lack of effort if the Faithful fall short again. Veterans Sean Nolan, Enda Condren, and Dan Leavy (if his hamstring allows) still want this as badly as ever. The halfback line of Liam Kelly, flanked by Brian Delaney and speedster John Fitzpatrick, has been impressive. Shane Cunningham adds size and strength at midfield or on the 40. If 60-day sanction James Coughlan is unavailable it will be up to Leavy and Cunningham to spark an Offaly attack that can be sluggish.
These sides drew way back in April and another close match is likely on Sunday.

5:30 p.m., SFB semifinal
Mayo vs. Cork
It was all going so well for Mayo until they slipped up versus Tyrone last Sunday and ended up with the second seed and an encounter with Cork. For most of the year Mayo used speed and a good passing attack as they took on the mantle of title favorites.
The Westerners are another side that have been knocking on this particular door in recent seasons and they may feel that this is their best chance yet. Ronan Garvey, Tomas Griffin, and Robert Moran lead an attack that knows where the posts are, and Keith McMahon and Dermot Costello spark a gritty defense.
Midfield should be a key battleground. Mayo have recently used a smallish midfield. Charlie Harrison is a flyer and Dave Colleran is a fine all-around footballer.
Cork have Pat Mahoney, a prototypical high-fielding center fielder, who they can team with several different players. Fullback C.J. Doherty and center back Paddy Harrington give the Cork defense a solid backbone. Tadgh Foley’s speed and athleticism can unsettle an opponent from midfield or up front, but the rest of the Cork attack is somewhat suspect since Donnacha Lowney returned home.
Mayo might have a little too much firepower and should just shade it.