LAST YEAR’S U21 CHAMPION’S St. MARY’S AGHAGALLON WHO ARE NOT IN ACTION THIS WEEKEND
Under-21 Football Championship (Grading Round)
Although most of the focus this week-end will no doubt be centred on the senior semi-final replay as Cargin and St John’s renew acquaintances at the Chapel Hill arena at Glenavy the opening phase of the under-21 competition is set for the off on Saturday.
The CCC will be hoping for a positive start to what will be the last championship to be completed but it is doubtful if the opening round will proceed as scheduled with several clubs involved elsewhere in senior fare.
Under-21 Football Championship (Grading Round)
Sat 7th Oct (all games at 2.00pm)
St Enda’s v Kickham’s Creggan
This could prove to be a close encounter and the eventual winner could well prove to be contenders for the title as Creggan visit St Enda’s at Hightown.
The home side took the minor title a couple of years back and more than a few of that successful side are now on senior duty.
Creggan on the other hand have taken the last three county minor league titles and are certain to travel in strength. They will look to the likes of Kevin and Conor Small, Jake and Tiernan McAteer, Matthew Rogers, Tom Johnston, Liam Quinn and Kealan McCann while Odhran Eastwood and Ruairi Scott will be prominent in the St. Enda’s cause.
All Saint’s v Moneyglass
An all South West affair here as All Saint’s play hosts to the men from St Ergnat’s in what may prove to be a keenly fought affair. St. Ergnat’s have quite a number of U21’s on their present Senior side. Sean Kelly, Patrick McCormick, Seanchann Duffin, Dermott McErlain and Conail Prenter have been regulars on the team all season and came within a kick of the ball in reaching this year’s Intermediate final.
The home side have a number of U21’s playing Senior also with Emmet McAllister, Rhys O’Mullan, Kavan Keenan, Eoin Campbell, Connell Lemon, Brendan McDonnell and Luke O’Rawe likely to feature.
Both the sides have had good minor squads for the past couple of years with both having participated in all county under-18 championships this term.
Cuchullian’s Dunloy v Rossa
Another more than interesting games here as the reigning minor and under-21 hurling champions, Cuchullian’s Dunloy entertain the 2016 beaten under-21 county finalists and this year’s minor winners from O’ Donovan Rossa. Dunloy have excellent players in Declan Smyth, Keelan Molloy, Conal Cunning, Eoin O’Neill, Ryan Elliott, Conor Kinsella, Cathair McGuigan, Aaron Crawford and Anthony McGrath while Michael Burns, Eoghan McMenamin, Dominic McEnhill and Michael Close from this year’s successful minor team will be part of the Rossa Challenge.
This is certain to be keenly contested with the eventual winners sure to be fancied as major contenders for outright honours.
Aldergrove v St John’s
St James’s Aldergrove took the under-21 B title last term and the Aldergrove based side will hope for similar success in 2017 as they look to see off the challenge of St John’s in this opening round game.
The Johnnies have not made much impact in minor competition over the past couple of seasons but the Corrigan men will not lack anything in effort.
St Joseph’s Glenavy v Erin’s Own Cargin
This one is unlikely to go ahead with Cargin Seniors in action in a SFC semi-final replay the next day. Cargin have a healthy looking squad with Michael Clarke and Jamie Gribbin both in action last Sunday for the Senior side and likely to figure at some stage on Sunday.
Glenavy did make the final of the B series last term and they will look for similar progress again in 2017 to start with this home assignment as Cargin come a calling.
The Toome men have not tasted success at this level since 2010 and they will travel hoping to start on a trail leading to better.
Lamh Dhearg v Tir na Nog
This is another town versus country affair and sees Lamh Dhearg play hosts to Randalstown based Tir na Nog on their spacious Hannastown complex.
Neither the contestants have tasted any success of note in the under-21 competition of late but the Randalstown side did take a minor B title a couple of years past.
St Gall’s v St Paul’s
This one features past winners of under-21 crowns as St Gall’s welcome Shaw’s road based St Paul’s to their Milltown arena.
This could well be a closely contested affair but it is difficult to envisage outright success for either this term.
St Teresa’s v St Brigid’s
St Brigid’s do have a healthy youth policy and having made it all the way to the Intermediate decider this term and a date with Dunloy in the final they do look in a healthy condition at present as their under-21 squad visit St Teresa’s.
The home side are also proving current wellbeing in their Glen road complex and will certainly fully research the credentials of their visitors.
Gort na Mona v Casement’s Portglenone
Portglenone based Casement’s having taken the division one reserve title this term most likely underlined strength in their youth division as they travel to Gort na Mona. Casements were beaten semi-finalists last year, going down to a strong St. Mary’s Aghagallon who went on to win the competition and the Portglenone side will field a strong side again this term.
The home side have not made much noise in this grade for a lengthy period but the West Belfast men are not to be under estimated.
Sunday 8th October (at 12 noon)
Con Magee’s Glenravel v St Comgall’s Antrim
An all Country affair in this one as Antrim based St Comgall’s pay a visit to Glenravel and the home of the Con Magee’s.
The home side may well prove stronger than their visitors but the Antrim men will test the Glensmen’s resolve.