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Antrim SHC Ballycastle face holders St John’s in the pick of the games in round two of the group stages. The loser is in trouble, with Ballycastle’s need slightly greater in the event of a Loughgiel win over Rossa. Dunloy and Cushendall are expected to comfortably emerge from the other group, and they face St Enda’s and Glenariffe respectively on Sunday. Group 1, Saturday: Ballycastle v St John’s (Ballymena, 4pm); Rossa v Loughgiel (Randalstown, 6.30pm) Group 2, Sunday: St Enda’s v Dunloy (Ahoghill, 2pm); Glenariffe v Cushendall (Ballycastle, 5pm) ---------------------- Antrim SFC 13 of the 16 teams are still in with a realistic chance of qualifying in next weekend’s final round of group games. St Gall’s will have to beat what will be an understrength Cargin, who only need to avoid losing by more than 7 points to qualify. Holders Dunloy are the only team guaranteed qualification after two games. Portglenone are top of group 4 but to be sure they still need to at least draw with Aghagallon, who have to win after squandering a nine-point lead against Lámh Dhearg. This weekend: No fixtures ---------------------- Armagh SFC As it stands, it’s Madden, Killeavy, Clann Eireann and Culloville in position to take top spot in the groups and go straight to the last eight. Madden face Crossmaglen on Sunday evening, with Cross having been beaten by a last-minute Dromintee penalty at the weekend. They can’t be eliminated this weekend regardless, as their head-to-head against Tullysaran guarantees them at least third place in the group. Killeavy-Cullyhanna and Clann Eireann-Mullaghbawn could both be decent viewing. Group A, Friday, 7pm: Armagh Harps v Culloville, Maghery v Granemore Group B, Saturday, 6.45pm: Killeavy v Cullyhanna, Clan na Gael v Silverbridge Group C, Saturday, 4.15pm: Carrickcruppen v Sarsfields, Clann Éireann v Mullaghbawn Group D, Sunday, 6.30pm: Madden v Crossmaglen, Dromintee v Tullysaran ---------------------- Armagh SHC Four games in to the group stage, Middletown are in a strong position to look about what would be an eighth consecutive title. Having cruised through all four so far, they face Keady tonight in the final game. That fixture has been the last five finals. Tuesday (7.15pm): Middletown v Keady, Cuchullains v Derrynoose, Killeavy v Craobh Rua ---------------------- Cavan SFC HOLDERS Kingscourt face Cuchullains in the pick of the round three group stage ties this weekend, though there’s little more than jockeying for position riding on it. Crosserlough and Ramor United will both expect to get their first wins and drag themselves up into the qualifying top 8 with one game left. The loser of Cavan Gaels v Arva could find themselves under pressure in the final round. (All Breffni Park) Thursday: Laragh United v Crosserlough (8pm) Friday: Ramor United v Ballyhaise (8pm) Saturday: Arva v Cavan Gaels (6pm), Cuchullain v Kingscourt Stars (7.30pm) Sunday: Castlerahan v Gowna (5pm), Killygarry v Mullahoran (6.30pm) ---------------------- Cavan SHC COOTEHILL Celtic were crowned champions for the fifth time in six years earlier this month, beating East Cavan Gaels by 15 points in the decider. They’ll go into the Ulster junior, the draw for which is yet to be confirmed. ---------------------- Derry SFC LAST year’s beaten finalists Magherafelt face league champions Sleacht Néill in the heavyweight opening round clash in Derry on Sunday evening, where the format is the same as this year’s All-Ireland SFC. There’ll be a lot of intrigue around the clash of Bellaghy and Dungiven, both seen as being on the fringes of the top four, while fancied outsiders Lavey are expected to comfortably overcome relegated Faughanvale on Thursday. Back-to-back champions Newbridge are out on Friday night against Kilrea. (All Owenbeg) Thursday: Faughanvale v Lavey (7.30pm) Friday: Kilrea v Newbridge (7.30pm) Saturday: Glenullin v The Loup (4.30pm), Steelstown v Swatragh (6.15pm) Sunday: Bellaghy v Dungiven (12pm), Glen v Banagher (1.45pm), Ballinderry v Ballinascreen (4.15pm), Sleacht Néill v Magherafelt (6pm) ---------------------- Derry SHC IT will be another Sleacht Néill v Kevin Lynch’s final in a few weeks’ time after their semi-final wins over Banagher and Swatragh respectively. ---------------------- Down SFC AFTER a flat opening round, things will come to life in Down with two heavyweight clashes in the front door games this weekend. Kilcoo and Carryduff meet on Sunday in a repeat of last year’s final, which the Magpies won comfortably, while Burren face Clonduff on Monday night. Knockout football starts in the other half of the draw, with one of Ballyholland and Mayobridge set for the trapdoor on Sunday afternoon. Round 2A Friday: Bryansford v Saul (Kilcoo, 7pm) Saturday: Loughinisland v Warrenpoint (Newcastle, 3.30pm) Sunday: Carryduff v Kilcoo (Pairc Esler, 6.30pm) Monday: Clonduff v Burren (Pairc Esler, 7.15pm) Round 2B Friday: Glenn v Saval (Burren, 7pm) Saturday: Drumgath v RGU Downpatrick (Castlewellan, 2pm); Bredagh v Castlewellan (Downpatrick, 6.15pm) Sunday: Ballyholland v Mayobridge (Saval, 2pm) ---------------------- Down SHC Four-in-a-row holders Portaferry have made another strong start. They’re top of the six team group after two games each. A repeat of the last two finals with Ballygalget awaits them next week. Top four qualify for semi-finals. ---------------------- Donegal SFC THE only game in Donegal this weekend is the refixed clash of Kilcar and Four Masters, both of whom have won their opening two games. Glenswilly and Dungloe both look well placed with three wins from three but nobody is yet guaranteed safe passage straight to the quarter-finals. Termon, who knocked St Eunan’s out last year, are in danger of an early exit. They’re sitting in the final qualifying spot and face top of the pile Dungloe in their fourth and final group game. Those will take place next weekend. Group stage round 2 refixture Saturday: Kilcar v Four Masters (2pm) ---------------------- Donegal SHC BURT and St Eunan’s face off in the second semi-final on Saturday evening with the winners likely to meet holders Setanta in the decider. They face MacCumhaills in the first game. Semi-finals (MacCumhaill Park) Saturday: Setanta v MacCumhaills (5pm); Burt v St Eunan’s (7pm) ---------------------- Fermanagh SFC DERRYGONNELLY held off a Teemore fightback to retain their Division One league title at the weekend. The Harps had been nine up at the break but were within two in stoppage time before Gary McKenna put it to bed. Championship starts in a fortnight. ---------------------- Monaghan SFC A weekend off in Monaghan. Corduff and Latton are both already gone in group one with a game each left. One point separates all five teams in group two. Clontibret are bottom but have two still to play and one win would flip the script for any of the sides. ---------------------- Monaghan SHC CLUBS got their wish of an extended league followed by knockout championship this year. Holders Castleblayney had a bye to the semi-final for winning the league and they face Inniskeen on Sunday, with Monaghan Harps meeting Truagh Gaels. Semi-finals (Clontibret) Sunday: Castleblayney v Inniskeen (2pm); Monaghan Harps v Truagh Gaels (3.45pm) ---------------------- Tyrone SFC CHAMPIONSHIP next weekend, with Killyclogher confirmed as league champions on Sunday past ahead of a blockbuster opening round clash with an out-of-sorts Errigal Ciaran. Omagh are relegated to Division Two for next season but they managed to drag Edendork into the playoff after beating them by a point in the final game. Edendork will face Moortown at some point once their championship seasons end. ---------------------- Tyrone SHC TRADITIONALLY early October before they play their final, Carrickmore will be going for seven-in-a-row against Dungannon Eoghan Ruadh. ---------------------- Rest of Ireland In Mayo, holders Ballina were dumped out in Castlebar on Friday evening. The Mitchel’s win left it that the back-to-back ’24 and ’25 winners can’t qualify regardless of how their final group game goes. Ballintubber are the other big name sweating. They have to beat table-toppers Aghamore to stay alive. With Ballaghaderreen struggling, there’s a bit of chat down west that Andy Moran might have to pull the boots on again. Dr Crokes and Na Gaeil are into the semi-finals of the SFC in Kerry, with Austin Stacks facing Rathmore and Kenmare up against Milltown/Castlemaine for the right to join them. Reigning All-Ireland intermediate champions An Gaeltacht are in a relegation playoff semi-final against Templenoe. They all have a weekend off this week. It’s a free weekend in Dublin as well, where Kilmacud and Na Fianna both got back to winning ways. The last round of group games is next weekend, with Ballymun and St Jude’s in a shootout to qualify from group four. Ballyboden are comfortable and Kilmacud should still get out of the group despite a surprise opening round loss. Galway has its final round of group games this weekend, with no sign of any big shocks. Corofin and Salthill/Knocknacarra are through as top seeds, and Moycullen are expected to join them. Dunshaughlin are the only one of the big hitters in Meath whose place looks under any threat. They have to win their final game against Gaeil Colmcille next weekend. Roscommon Gaels and Boyle is the big game there, with one of them going out of their group of death this weekend.