Carnew have came into this championship all guns blazing and have not looked out of place by any stretch. They're a solid team and have played some great football in their campaign so far. Their first year back up to senior since 2013 and they've gotten straight into a semi final. With the addition of Ben Brosnan, the players seem to have gotten a pep in their step with the Wexford star pulling the strings and doing a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of scoring. They also have some talented players in Sean Murphy and Conall McCrea who wouldn't be shy when it comes to getting involved in the game.
AGB will know that if they can eliminate Brosnan and the threat he possesses, they will have plenty quality of their own to put in a performance. I've watched AGB's last two games and they've played exceptionally well with the quality of football and speed that they move. Some fantastic individual players in Darragh Fitzgerald and Paidi Kavanagh, two real live wires that will ask questions of the Carnew defenders.
I think if Carnew can stay in the game for the 60 minutes they might just edge it, but if the Gers play like they have been, they will have too much and will look to put the game to bed as early as possible. AGB by 4.
Baltinglass vs Tinahely
A replay of last year's county final sets up to be an interesting game. Tinahely defending champions will look to continue their winning ways after finding good form recently. Some serious scoring power here from Eoin Darcy and Matthew Ging racking up high individual scores for Tinahely. They will need these guys firing at 100% and the likes of Rory Stokes and Cillian McDonald who are great carriers of the ball.
Baltinglass might find themselves relieved to be in this game after knocking out neighbours Kiltegan on penalties. They won't want to have to do this in back to back games so I think if they are to win they will want to do it early doors. For me, they're the most complete team 1-15. They will always put in a performance and rarely lose a game by more than the bare minimum. With the obvious threat that Mark Jackson possesses from the dead ball, Tinahely will have to look to cut out all frees in their half (especially with the aughrim breeze). They also have some quality sharpshooters up top in the likes of Tommy Keogh, Adam McHugh and John McGrath. Arun Daly Danne carries the ball well for them too.
I think Tinahely will come through this game on top by 2/3 points but I wouldn't be surprised seeing extra time or Balto edging it out. Tough game to call.
IFC - Avondale vs Laragh
Avondale will definitely find themselves lucky after being given a lifeline beating Donard in the 1/4 final. 2 last minute normal time goals to send the game to extra time is definitely not an ideal way to win a game but they won't care. Again, a lot of talent in this Avondale team in Oisin McGraynor, Conor Byrne, Zach Cullen and a few others. On their day, they could put it up to the majority of senior teams but they will have to show up for this local derby and cannot let Laragh pull away from them.
Laragh coming in off the back of a good win against Coolkenno who are always there/thereabouts in this championship. Laragh have had a good championship campaign so far with the exception of a slip up against Valleymount. Some quality players here also with the return of Mark and David Miley who are a big addition. They have accurate deadball players in Erin Olohan and John Nolan. A team with a lot of potential and they will be looking to push on to the county final.
I think the dales will learn after their encounter with Donard and will look to put this game to bed as early as possible. Too much quality on this Avondale team to not win this game, but then again anything can happen in a semi final. Avondale by 6.
Hollywood vs Aughrim
Similar to Carnew in the senior, Aughrim have come flying up into intermediate from Junior A and have not looked out of place at all. A very young but talented team. Some quality individual players in Joe McGuckian and Alex Kavanagh. Conor Phelan seems to be clinical from frees so Aughrim will look to exploit these as much as possible.
Hollywood are no strangers when it comes to semi finals in this competition. Beaten finalists last year after a replay would put fire in their belly and they'll be looking to get back up to senior ranks. They're a solid team with a good 1-15 similar to baltinglass, lots of players who can get the job done with some talented individuals like Matthew Kelly, Rob Houlihan and Mikey Healy commanding from the back.
I wouldn't be surprised seeing this game going to extra time. I can see Hollywood edging it out by 1 or 2 points.
Replying To Annonymous54: "This Weekend's SFC/IFC Semi-Final Predictions:
SFC - AGB vs Carnew
Carnew have came into this championship all guns blazing and have not looked out of place by any stretch. They're a solid team and have played some great football in their campaign so far. Their first year back up to senior since 2013 and they've gotten straight into a semi final. With the addition of Ben Brosnan, the players seem to have gotten a pep in their step with the Wexford star pulling the strings and doing a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of scoring. They also have some talented players in Sean Murphy and Conall McCrea who wouldn't be shy when it comes to getting involved in the game.
AGB will know that if they can eliminate Brosnan and the threat he possesses, they will have plenty quality of their own to put in a performance. I've watched AGB's last two games and they've played exceptionally well with the quality of football and speed that they move. Some fantastic individual players in Darragh Fitzgerald and Paidi Kavanagh, two real live wires that will ask questions of the Carnew defenders.
I think if Carnew can stay in the game for the 60 minutes they might just edge it, but if the Gers play like they have been, they will have too much and will look to put the game to bed as early as possible. AGB by 4.
Baltinglass vs Tinahely
A replay of last year's county final sets up to be an interesting game. Tinahely defending champions will look to continue their winning ways after finding good form recently. Some serious scoring power here from Eoin Darcy and Matthew Ging racking up high individual scores for Tinahely. They will need these guys firing at 100% and the likes of Rory Stokes and Cillian McDonald who are great carriers of the ball.
Baltinglass might find themselves relieved to be in this game after knocking out neighbours Kiltegan on penalties. They won't want to have to do this in back to back games so I think if they are to win they will want to do it early doors. For me, they're the most complete team 1-15. They will always put in a performance and rarely lose a game by more than the bare minimum. With the obvious threat that Mark Jackson possesses from the dead ball, Tinahely will have to look to cut out all frees in their half (especially with the aughrim breeze). They also have some quality sharpshooters up top in the likes of Tommy Keogh, Adam McHugh and John McGrath. Arun Daly Danne carries the ball well for them too.
I think Tinahely will come through this game on top by 2/3 points but I wouldn't be surprised seeing extra time or Balto edging it out. Tough game to call.
IFC - Avondale vs Laragh
Avondale will definitely find themselves lucky after being given a lifeline beating Donard in the 1/4 final. 2 last minute normal time goals to send the game to extra time is definitely not an ideal way to win a game but they won't care. Again, a lot of talent in this Avondale team in Oisin McGraynor, Conor Byrne, Zach Cullen and a few others. On their day, they could put it up to the majority of senior teams but they will have to show up for this local derby and cannot let Laragh pull away from them.
Laragh coming in off the back of a good win against Coolkenno who are always there/thereabouts in this championship. Laragh have had a good championship campaign so far with the exception of a slip up against Valleymount. Some quality players here also with the return of Mark and David Miley who are a big addition. They have accurate deadball players in Erin Olohan and John Nolan. A team with a lot of potential and they will be looking to push on to the county final.
I think the dales will learn after their encounter with Donard and will look to put this game to bed as early as possible. Too much quality on this Avondale team to not win this game, but then again anything can happen in a semi final. Avondale by 6.
Hollywood vs Aughrim
Similar to Carnew in the senior, Aughrim have come flying up into intermediate from Junior A and have not looked out of place at all. A very young but talented team. Some quality individual players in Joe McGuckian and Alex Kavanagh. Conor Phelan seems to be clinical from frees so Aughrim will look to exploit these as much as possible.
Hollywood are no strangers when it comes to semi finals in this competition. Beaten finalists last year after a replay would put fire in their belly and they'll be looking to get back up to senior ranks. They're a solid team with a good 1-15 similar to baltinglass, lots of players who can get the job done with some talented individuals like Matthew Kelly, Rob Houlihan and Mikey Healy commanding from the back.
I wouldn't be surprised seeing this game going to extra time. I can see Hollywood edging it out by 1 or 2 points."
Top marks for that insightful and well presented analysis