JUST like the minor hurling championship it's do or die for some sides in tonight's football equivalent.

The second round of the hurling saw three of four Premier 1 semi-finalists sorted, with the winners of Douglas v Ballincollig next week to decide the fourth.

Ironically the same two teams could then be meeting in their final group game in football with the same fate at stake, depending on tonight's results.

Ballincollig had an impressive win over Nemo in the first round, with the likes of Brian Keating and Darragh O'Mahony in prolific scoring form. Having won the U16 county last year and with a number of last year's minor panel still available they are one of the favourites to take the title this season.

Tonight they are at home to Glanmire who will travel full of confidence after their win over the reigning champions, Douglas. Glanmire won the Premier 2 title last year and moved up a grade this season and got off to a great start with a deserved 3-8 to 1-9 victory.

With Tomás Ó Sé involved with the club and helping to coach the minors they are going to take a bit of beating.

For both sides, there is a lot at stake as the winners are virtually guaranteed a place in the semi-finals. For the losers, it will go down to the wire in what could be called a 'group of death' with those four sides involved.

So if, and it's a big if, Glanmire win then it would see them on four points and Ballincollig on two. In the other game if Douglas win their derby tie with Nemo they would then be on two points as well.

That would put Nemo out of the running and the same can be said if they beat Douglas, they would be out and that's a distinct possibility as well.

The group gets further complicated if Ballincollig win and they are more than capable of doing so. That would leave Glanmire on two points with Nemo to play in the last game.

Then either Douglas or Nemo would be on two points as well so it would go down to the wire.

However, if Glanmire and Douglas win then the winners of the latter and Ballincollig would face off to see who joins Ó Sé's side in the semi-finals.

In the other group wins for Inniscarra and Ibane Gaels, over Gabriel Rangers and Beara, respectively, will see them progress to the semi-finals.

In the premier two competition the Barrs had a great win over a fancied Wolfe Tones side and a win over Carrigaline tonight would see them join their hurlers in the semi-finals, making it a good week for the Togher club.

Wolfe Tones will be looking to get their campaign back on track against St Michael's, who had an impressive win over Carrigaline in the opening round.

In the other group, Carbery Rangers and Castlehaven are in the driving seat and wins for them would see both through. Both have home advantage so will be favourites to advance.

Around the regions, games like Kinsale v Ballinhassig; Youghal v Aghada and Newmarket v Charleville are ones that catch the eye in another feast of minor football tonight.

TONIGHT (7pm unless stated): 

Premier 1 Group 1: Beara v Ibane Gaels; Gabriel Rangers v Inniscarra. Group 2: Douglas v Nemo Rangers; Ballincollig v Glanmire.

Premier 2 Group 1: Carbery Rangers v Valley Rovers; Castlehaven v Bandon. Group 2: Carrigaline v St Finbarr's; Wolfe Tones v St Michael's.

Mid Region Division 1: Canovee v Ballygarvan; St Nicholas v Ballinora.

Mid Region Division 2: Donoughmore v Grenagh; Kilmurry v Blarney; Diarmuid O Murchu v Sliabh Rua; Kinsale v Ballinhassig.

Mid Region Division 3: Cill na Martra v Tracton; Lisgoold v Aghinagh.

North Region Division 1: BK Plunkett's v Mallow; Kilshannig v Duarigle Gaels; Fermoy v Buttevant.

North Region Division 2: Ballycastle Gaels v Mitchelstown; Kilara Óg v Killavullen; Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels v St Kevin's; Newmarket v Charleville.

North Region Division 3: Croke Rovers v Kildorrery; Dromtarriffe v St Dominic's; St Peter's v Sliabh Luachra Gaels.

East Region Division 1: Cobh v Erins Own; Youghal v Aghada, 6.45pm; Midleton v Kiltha Óg, 7.30pm.

East Region Division 2: Whitechurch v Mayfield; 6.30pm; St Vincent's v St Catherine's; Killeagh/Ita's v Colmcille's, 6.30pm; Glenville v Carrigtwohill, 6.45pm.

West Region Division 1: Owen Gaels v Newcestown; St Olan's v Clonakilty.

West Region Division 2: Bantry Blues v St Colums; Clondrohid v Caha Óg; Ilen Rovers v Castletownbere; Kilbrittain v O'Donovan Rossa; Naomh Aban v Western Gaels.

West Region Division 3: Clann na nGael v Dunmanus Rovers; Tadhg MacCarthaigh v Urhan, Ahan Gaels v Kilmacabea; Beal Athan Ghaorthaidh v Kilmeen.