Casement’s Portglenone have had a run out already under the floodlights when they defeated St. Joseph’s Glenavy and they will face Tir na nOg on Friday night under the Allen Park lights in the O’Cahan Cup quarter-final.
Thornton Roofing O’ Cahan Cup (Qtr Finals)
The South West Board continues in their usual expediency this term with the progress of both the O’ Cahan Cup as well as the Feile (under-14 football) this week-end.
The O’ Cahan Cup competition is at the quarter final stage with one game scheduled under the floodlights at the Allen park 4G facility on Friday evening (7th March) and the remaining three ties scheduled for Sunday.
The Feile competition suffered one unavoidable hold up from last Sunday’s list and the Board will look for this game to be completed prior to Sunday.
Thornton Roofing O’ Cahan Cup (Qtr Finals)
Friday 9th March at Allen Park
Casement’s Portglenone v Tir na Nog Randalstown (at 7.30pm)
Both Casement’s and Tir na Nog impressed in their opening round assignments with the Portglenone outfit proving too strong for Glenavy whilst the Whitehill lads defied the pundits with a victory gained over All Saints and this quarter final affair looks a good one.
Tir na Nog have the experience of the artificial surface at the Council owned facility and they will hope that such knowledge will stand them in good stead.
Damien Hagan seems to have the Blues in good nick in the approach to the 2018 season.
Casement’s have seen early action in the Ulster Winter League and Jude Donnelly’s charges underlined current well being with their opening round win over the St Joseph’s side.
The Bannsider’s are seasoned division one campaigners as well and they will enter this one with the favourites tag attached.
Casement’s will be fancied to gain progress and although they will not have it all their own way they should gain the verdict.
Sunday 11th March (at 2.30pm)
St Mary’s Aghagallon v St James Aldergrove
Last year’s beaten finalists from St Mary’s Aghagallon will look to make similar progress this term and perhaps contemplate going a step further.
They were outgunned in the 2017 decider by Cargin and indeed in a round of the senior championship but on both occasions, they lost nothing in defeat.
They will cross swords this time with Aldergrove in their efforts to claim a semi- final berth.
Aldergrove have slipped a little way down the ratings of late and after losing first division status in a dramatic ending to the 2017 season the Crumlin men will be hoping for a quick return.
The St James side are more than capable and will travel up the road to the Aghagallon sod on the positive.
This one is certain to be a keenly contested affair, but ground advantage may well aid Aghagallon to victory.
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v Kickham’s Creggan
Another local derby affair here as St Ergnat’s Moneyglass play hosts to Kickham’s Creggan and a close encounter is anticipated.
Moneyglass looked good in last Sunday’s win against Glenravel and they do look well prepared for the 2018 season.
The St Ergnat’s men have been supplemented by a return to duty of several and they will probably be anticipating a good season ahead.
Creggan have been there or thereabouts in the top grade for several years now and Kevin Madden’s men are more than capable of competing with the best therein.
They did take home this trophy in 2016 and will look to provide accommodation for this silverware again, sooner rather than later.
This will most likely be a close one which could go either way and indeed a draw and a replay is not to be ruled out.
St Mary’s Ahoghill v Erin’s Own Cargin
St Mary’s Ahoghill are away on the positive in the 2018 season and a vey good win gained over the visiting St Enda’s in this competition underlines current wellbeing down at Clooney and ensured the visit of the O’ Cahan cup holders Erin’s Own Cargin in this quarter final assignment.
They really underlined character last term when they came with a strong late run to secure status when many had forecasted relegation was looking inevitable and the Clooney men will most certainly look forward to this one.
Cargin are on the trail of the O’ Cahan cup again seeking to give lodgings to the South West’s premier trophy for the 22nd occasion as they take the road down to the pristine Ahoghill venue.
The Toome men are under new management this term as Damien Cassidy has replaced John Brennan at the helm and no doubt they will be on the trail of more silverware again in 2018.
Cargin will no doubt start this one as favourites, but the home side are more than capable of standing toe to toe with their visitors and Cargin will have to work for the progress sought.
Tir na nOg’s postponed feile game against Dunloy is set to be played this week with the winners playing Moneyglass and the losers facing Portglenone in the feile shield on Sunday.
The under-14 knock out competition continues on Sunday with the second round of the Feile and the second round draw is as follows;
Kelly’s Mace Dunloy Feile Cup (at 12.00)
Cuchullian’s Dunloy or Tir na Nog v St Ergnat’s Moneyglass
St James Aldergrove v St Joseph’s Glenavy
St Mary’s Aghagallon v All Saint’s Ballymena
St Enda’s Glengormley v Erin’s Own Cargin
Heffron’s of Randalstown Feile Shield (at 12.00)
Kickham’s Creggan v Con Magee’s Glenravel
Casement’s Portglenone v Dunloy/Tir na nOg (losers)