Only eight survivors remain on this treacherous route to next month's county final. De La Salle got the bullet last Saturday and the three time winners only have one more lifeline to cling to against Lismore. Fourmilewater and Ballyduff Upper made miraculous recoveries to reach the last eight after looking out of sorts during the spring. Dungarvan, Ballygunner and Passage are all jostling for outright favouritism as the competition heads into a critical phase.
19 September
Ballygunner v Mount Sion (5.15 at Walsh Park)
A big test for the champions as they enter a knockout battle without Pauric Mahony, Wayne Hutchinson and Alan Kirwan from last year's county final winning outfit. Sion seem rejuvenated following two positive results where they hit the 21 point mark. Midfield may be a key battleground. Mount Sion wrestled control of this sector against Lismore with Martin O'Neill and Austin Gleeson pushing them forward. They nearly allowed the win slip through their fingers however. Ken McGrath would have been disappointed with 18 wides over the hour. Their opponents lived off scraps and still managed to scavenge three goals. Ballygunner targetted Sion's full back division last October and Brian O'Sullivan bagged 2-2 along with the man of the match award. They will look to isolate O'Sullivan and his accomplice Peter Hogan in one on one scenarios. This greater goal threat hands the Gunners a slight edge.
Odds: Ballygunner 8/11 Draw 8/1 Mount Sion 13/10
Prediction: Ballygunner
Fourmilewater v Roanmore (7.30 at Fraher Field)
These are two of the lowest scorers left in the hat with Fourmile on 4-67 and Roanmore on 4-62. In the absence of Liam Lawlor and Conor Gleeson, the likes of Dermot Ryan, Craig Guiry and Diarmuid Wall have come to the fore in the Ballymacarbry ranks. They rattled off the last eight points against De La Salle to clinch their quarter final spot. With three straight wins under their belt, they come into this game full of confidence. Roanmore will fondly recall their group stage win against Fourmilewater last May when they restricted their opponents to just two points from play. Laurence O'Neill's charges have only given away three goals in this year's championship. Conor Gleeson's return to the Fourmile forward line may break the ice here.
Odds: Fourmilewater 2/5 Draw 10/1 Roanmore 21/10
Prediction: Fourmilewater
20 September
Passage v Ballyduff Upper (6.00 at Fraher Field)
This is a repeat of the 2013 quarter final at the same venue. The Reds led by nine points in the opening half before Owen Connors nabbed a vital goal on the stroke of half time to flip the game. Passage will need to put some consideration into their match-ups against the Ballyduff full forward line of Kevin Casey, Andrew Casey and Mikey Kearney. This trio came up with 2-12 out of 2-13 against Abbeyside. Ballyduff won't mind carrying the underdogs tag yet again. Shane Kearney has settled into centre back flanked by Tom Feeney and Michael Kearney. Peter Queally's side look well balanced and stronger defensively than two seasons ago. Eoin Kelly shot 2-4 against Cappoquin last weekend in an attack that has returned 9-83 across six games. They should pull away in the last ten minutes.
Odds: Passage 1/4 Draw 11/1 Ballyduff Upper 3/1
Prediction: Passage
Dungarvan v Tallow (7.30 at Fraher Field)
Dungarvan are the highest scorers in the championship to date on 9-88. Deadly inside pair Patrick Curran and Ryan Donnelly pose a constant green flag threat. Gavin Crotty also chipped in with 1-2 off the bench against Roanmore last weekend. Tallow didn't want the mid-season break to arrive and appear to have lost some of that momentum. They must keep out the goals at all costs to give them a chance here. Up top, Thomas Ryan and Ryan Grey are capable of stretching a Dungarvan defence that can cough up goal chances.
Odds: Dungarvan 1/3 Draw 10/1 Tallow 5/2
Prediction: Dungarvan
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