The Antrim Senior Hurling Championship is already at the business end of things with the quarter-final line-up being confirmed this weekend.
The eight participating teams will be whittled down to six with the two group winners progressing to the semi-finals.
Defending champions Dunloy remain the team to beat and will top Group One if they can claim a win over Rossa at home on Saturday in what is a repeat of last year’s county final.
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At the other end of the table, there is a winner-takes-all North Antrim derby at St Patrick's Park as Carey Faughs host Ballycastle with both teams seeking to progress to the quarter-final.
On Sunday, Cushendall host St John’s with the winners set to top Group Two, but due to their superior scoring difference, a draw would be enough for the Ruairi Og’s to go through to the semi-final.
Loughgiel will be strongly fancied to get the better of their home clash with St Enda's and claim their place in the quarter-final.
With James McNaughton back, the Shamrock's will feel they can mix it with the best while Cushendall are always a threat.
Rossa will be keen to put the disappointment of last year's final loss to Dunloy behind them and St John's have been knocking on the door for the last number of years.
However, all the challengers know it will take an incredible performance to halt Dunloy as the Cuchullain's bid for a fourth successive Volunteer Cup success.
This weekend’s fixtures
Saturday, September 3
Group One: Carey Faughs v Ballycastle (St Patrick’s Park, 4pm)
Dunloy v Rossa (Pearse Park, 4pm)
Sunday, September 4
Group Two: Cushendall v St John’s (Páirc Mhuire, 4pm)
Loughgiel v St Enda’s (Fr Healy Park, 4pm)
Championship format and dates
The eight teams are split into two groups with the bottom team in each group eliminated after this weekend’s games.
The top two teams from each group progress straight through to the semi-finals with the second-placed team in Group One facing the third-placed team in Group Two and vice versa.
Quarter-finals
Sunday, September 18
St John's v Ballycastle (Dunsilly, 1pm)
Rossa v Loughgiel (Dunsilly, 5pm)
Semi-finals
Sunday, October 2
Cushendall v Loughgiel (Ballycastle, 2pm)
Dunloy v St John's (Dunsilly, 5pm)
Final
Sunday, October 16 (Venue TBC, 3pm)
TV and Stream info
A selection of Antrim Senior Hurling Championship games are broadcast by Jerome Quinn. Fans can set up an account via the Antrim website and purchase games via the link.
Betting
Dunloy 1/2; Cushendall 10/3; St John’s 11/2, Loughgiel 7/1; Rossa 7/1, Ballycastle 50/1 Carey 200/1.
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