Tang take on Ballinagore

TANG are hoping to set up an intermediate semi-final clash against near neighbours Tubberclair but must first overcome the quarter-final challenge of Ballinagore at Cusack Park on Sunday (5pm). Sean Burke's side performed well in the qualifying group stage and finished second in their six-team group behind Ballynacargy, while Ballinagore completed their group in third place behind both Tubberclair and Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall. Ballinagore and Tang have recent history in the knockout phase of the championship, with Ballinagore seeing off Tang in the semi-finals just three years ago. Many observers would fancy Ballinagore to succeed again this weekend having only dropped down to this level following relegation last year. But Tang's form in the group has been a source for optimism and there's every possibility they could set up a derby clash against Tubberclair in the last four. Four victories for Tang over Milltownpass, Moate All-Whites, St Mary's Rochfortbridge and Kilbeggan Shamrocks have put them into the quarter-finals and manager Sean Burke is hopeful of further progression for his side. "At the outset of the competition we planned to reach the knockout stages and we're happy enough with our progress to date. The players have been doing very well and our group form was pretty good in general. Obviously we lost to Ballinagore in the semi-finals a few years ago but there's no mention of revenge or anything like that - that would be dangerous. "We are fully aware that Ballinagore are a really good team and could pose us lots of problems. They are very tough opposition and have some high quality players. Our last performance against Kilbeggan Shamrocks was very good, winning by 1-17 to 1-7, so we're hoping to continue that form on Sunday," said Burke. Tang went out at this stage last year to the eventual winners and near-neighbours Maryland, but will be very determined to progress this time around. Burke said: "It's our ambition to progress further than we managed last year. It was close between us and Maryland this time last year but hopefully things can go our way at the weekend. Ballinagore will have their sights set firmly on the title because they've just come down from senior level but I think it could be a very close call between the two teams." Tang go into Sunday's game with an almost fully fit panel to choose from, with only Denis Bannon currently nursing a hamstring injury which he probably should shake off in time to feature. "It always helps when you have a full panel to select from and thankfully we're in a decent position with injuries at the moment," said Burke, who be looking to the likes of influential former county star Paul Conway and Aidan Burke - who managed ten points in the last outing against Kilbeggan - for scores. Ballinagore actually got off to a poor start in the group phase when losing to Castletown and drawing against Ballymore. However, three straight wins over Rosemount, Tubberclair and Shandonagh saw them through, with their victory over group winners Tubberclair giving some indication of what they're capable of on their day. Elsewhere in the intermediate championship quarter-finals, Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall face St Mary's Rochfortbridge at Lakepoint Park on Saturday (5.45pm).