Football takes centre stage this weekend with a full round of fixtures in all divisions and there are some key battles among them. Here Geordie McGuckin takes a look at the key games
Division One at 3.00pm
St Paul’s v Creggan
The Creggan men endured their first setback thus far when they lost out to the visiting St Gall’s last week and Kevin Madden’s men will be hoping to get back on the winning trail when they travel to the Shaw’s road to meet up with St Paul’s.
The home side lost out to Cargin at Toome last time out and with only a single win to date they will be more than keen to gain points.
Creggan may well gain the day but the home side will give them a game.
Rossa v Ahoghill
This town versus country affair sees the Clooney men travel up to Rossa and on current form this does look a close one.
The home side are a point ahead of their visitors with a couple of wins thus far whilst Ahoghill are on three with a win and a draw to date.
The Rossa men are possibly capable of better than form displayed to date and most efficient on their own sod they can collect the points.
St John’s v Cargin
This pairing does look as the ‘match of the day’ as the in-form Johnnies play hosts to the men from Toome as Cargin pay a visit to Corrigan park.
The home side are the only side in the division currently unbeaten and Paddy Nugent’s men will most certainly be striving to retain such against the current double champions.
John Brennan’s charges also seem in a positive mode and with only single reversal to date they will travel up to the Whiterock road with firm intentions.
A close one is likely with just a tentative nod given to the Erin’s Own men.
Aldergrove v St Teresa’s
Aldergrove resided at the bottom of the heap in the ratings until their latest outing when a 2-11 to 1-10 victory over the visiting Rossa saw them move up a place.
That was better from the Crumlin men and back on home soil they will hope to continue in such form as they play hosts to St Teresa’s this time.
St Teresa’s with just a single win and a draw thus far do remain in troubled waters much too close to the relegation zone for peace of mind and the Glen road men will look for better down in Crumlin.
Following a better showing last week Aldergrove will start as favourites and if they do retain such form a home win looks likely.
Lamh Dhearg v Aghagallon
Lamh Dearg did gang on to register a win down at Portglenone last time and back at their Hannahstown base this time Mairtin Lynch’s men play hosts to the men from Aghagallon.
Aghagallon have really impressed with their onward march from the third division to the first in a couple of seasons earning back to back promotions but they are finding it difficult to settle thus far.
The St Mary’s men have just a single win as yet but earning draws at Ahoghill and St Teresa’s on the way suggest ability within.
Lamh Dhearg do remain fourth in the ratings and they should add a couple more points after this one.
St Gall’s v Casement’s (5.30pm)
St Gall’s returned to winning ways at Creggan last time and the points secured from that 0-12 to 0-10 win does ensure the Milltown men do remain within affairs at the top holding third place in the ratings.
They will be looking to retain interest in the destination of the silverware and another brace of points secured over the visiting Casement’s will be in focus.
The Portglenone side were possibly unlucky to lose to the visiting Lamh Dhearg last time and Jude Donnelly’s men will take the city route hoping for compensation.
St Gall’s will start as firm favourites and although they may well collect the points they will have to work for the prize.
Division Two at 3.00pm
Moneyglass v All Saint’s
An all South west affair in this one as Moneyglass play hosts to Ballymena based All Saint’s.
The St Ergnat’s men having struggled to get it together in the early part of the season really came good last time with an eyebrow raising 6-13 to 3-09 win at Dunloy and such hinted broadly at improvement within.
All Saints also impressed last time out and they will travel in confidence.
A close game in prospect but the Ballymena men may just have the edge.
Tir na Nog v Gort na Mona
Randalstown based Tir na Nog have not been seen at their best as yet in the current season with just a single victory to date and they will be seeking better if they look for upward movement as they play hosts to Gort na Mona.
West Belfast based Gort na Mona are just ahead of their host in the ratings and will travel intent on keeping that way.
This one could go either way but ground advantage may prove the key and a win for the Whitehill men may be the outcome.
St Brigid’s v Rasharkin
St Mary’s Rasharkin having looked in trouble last term when relegation seemed likely have really turned the corner it seems and currently lead the way in the ratings this term remaining unbeaten thus far.
They travel to St Brigid’s this time and will look to extend the sequence in South Belfast.
St Brigid’s do seem to be coming into form after a couple of upsets and the return to the top division remains in vision.
Ground advantage will ensure St Brigid’s will start as favourites and they may well collect the points.
St Comgall’s v Ardoyne
Just a point separate Antrim based St Comgall’s and Kickham’s Ardoyne and this looks a competitive affair with the destination of the points certain to provide a hard fought game.
St Comgall’s are favoured by their own Dunsilly sod and they may well collect the points.
St Enda’s v Michael Davitt’s
Glengormley based St Enda’s are going well at the present and with just a single defeat endured thus far they are tied with Rasharkin at the top of the table.
They are focusing on promotion and will aim to keep on the positive trail as the Twinbrook based Michael Davitt’s come a calling to Hightown.
Davitt’s have failed to hit the heights as yet in the present season but they are quite capable when in the mood.
St End’s will start as firm favourites and they can collect another couple of points.
Glenavy v Dunloy
Cuchullian’s Dunloy failed to hit the heights on their latest assignment and a defeat endured on their own turf at the hands of the visiting Moneyglass was a setback.
They are on their travels this time and will look for better as they pay a visit to Chapel Hill the home of St Joseph’s Glenavy.
The Glenavy men can be a trifle enigmatic at times but they are going at present and with nine points gathered they remain on the trail of promotion.
Division Three at 3.00pm
St Agnes v Eire Og
St Agnes struggle to gain the positive trail as yet and they will seek a positive showing this time as Eire Og calling.
South Belfast based Eire Og are six points ahead of the Aggies and may well add another couple here.
O’ Donnell’s v Glenravel
Second placed Glenravel are on their travels in this one and they may well be asked questions as they are set to visit third place O’ Donnell’s.
The Mc Crory Park based O’ Ds are currently three points behind the Con Magees men and will look to reduce the deficit.
This one could go either way with a draw and a share of the spoils a distinct possibility.
St Malachy’s v Mitchells
The Mal’s are going well this term residing in fourth position at present and they will add another couple of points in this assignment.
Mc Quillan’s v Sarsfield’s
Sarsfield’s lead the way in the ratings and the Stewartstown road residents will travel down to the North Coast and Ballycastle with the addition of another couple of points expected after the trip.
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