The Longford senior championship group stage comes to a conclusion this weekend with very little up for grabs.
Five of the eight quarter-final teams have been decided with Abbeylara almost certain to be the sixth team. What remains is two places in the quarter-final line-up.
Killoe, Colmcille and Dromard have all booked a place in the quarter-final through group A. The last spot is between Carrickedmond and Granard with Mostrim already out.
On Friday night, Carrickedmond face Dromard in Allen Park and Granard meet Mostrim in Monaduff. To decide this place, Carrickedmond need to beat Dromard to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
At the start of play, Granard have two points and Carrickedmond have three. Failure to get the better of Dromard would more than likely see Carrickedmond bow out. However, a draw maybe enough to progress only if Mostrim beat Granard.
Granard beat Carrickedmond in the earlier round. So, if Granard win and Carrickedmond draw, Granard progress on head-to-head. If Carrickedmond lose and Granard win, Granard progress on head-to-head.
At the top of the table, Killoe and Colmcille both sit on seven points, they meet on Saturday at 7pm in Higginstown. The winner tops the group! A draw would see Killoe take top spot.
Dromard cannot finish top of the group. However, if Killoe beat Colmcille then the door opens for Dromard to take second place. However, they will have to have beaten Carrickedmond on Friday.
There’s slightly more up for grabs in group B, but! Clonguish and Rathcline are guaranteed the top two spots. They meet on Saturday at seven.
However, the drama should be in the meetings of Longford Slashers/Abbeylara and Mullinalaghta/Fr. Manning Gaels. Heading into the final round of games, the defending champions are yet to secure a quarter-final place.
Mullinalaghta have to win to secure a place in the next round. The 2019 Leinster champions could be facing the relegation play-off.
However, if Mullinalaghta win and Longford Slashers beat Abbeylara all three teams will sit on four points. Then it will come down to score difference.
Similarly if, Fr. Manning Gales beat Mullinalaghta and Abbeylara beat Slashers, than three teams, Slashers, Mullinalaghta and Manning Gaels will all sit on two points chasing the final quarter-final spot. Again, score difference will decide the final spot in group B.
Another route for Slashers to the next round is if they draw with Abbeylara and Fr. Manning Gaels beat Mullinalaghta. Then Abbeylara would progress in third place and Slashers would take fourth place.
