Sunday being All Ireland Final day, and a closed date for clubs in the GAA calender, this weekend’s matches in all division of the Antrim Football League move to Friday and Saturday. Geordie McGuckin gives his predictions on how he thinks thing will pan out.
O’Neill’s Antrim Football League Fixtures (Friday 17th/Sat 18th)
A full list of league fixtures for the week-end, two in the second grade scheduled for Friday, and the remainder of the list, in all of the divisions on Saturday.
The championship looms large on the horizon but although such may well employ the focus of most nothing is as yet resolved on the league scene in any of the divisions.
Friday 17th August
Division Two (A) (all games at 7.30pm)
Cuchullian’s Dunloy v Gort na Mona
Although both Dunloy and their visitors from Gort na Mona are a few points in arrears of the top two in the ratings and look out of the race for the silverware and promotion they will keep going right to the end.
The home side are six points in arrears of the pace setting Aldergrove whilst Gort na Mona are a couple of points closer and with only four games remaining until completion it seems quite unlikely that they can bridge the gap.
Dunloy will start this one as favourites and they may well collect the points but the result may only prove of interest to the statisticians.
Division Two (B)
O’ Donnell’s v Patrick Sarsfield’s
Having gained the upward route at the end of the 2017 season and promotion to the higher level Mc Crory park residents O’ Donnell’s have found it difficult to gain a foothold in this division and are contemplating a return to the lower level again and Division Three fare in 2019.
Sarsfield’s remain in the lower echelons of the division and the dark clouds of relegation still threaten so they will travel in search of points as a necessity.
O’ Donnell’s will give this a real lash but a win for the Paddies does look the most likely outcome.
Sat 18th August – Division One (A)
Kickham’s Creggan v St John’s (3.30pm)
Creggan remain within touching distance of an elusive league title but tied on points at the top alongside St Gall’s and with Cargin only a point in arrears they cannot afford any slip ups in pursuit of the silverware.
Kevin Madden’s charges have impressed on the league trail to date and having already secured the points over the Johnnies up at Corrigan in the opening round they will be expected to follow suit in this one as the Whiterock residents visit the Staffordstown road.
St John’s are five points in arrears of the pace setters in the division and seemingly out of contention but with championship likely in focus Gearoid Adams’s charges will take to South West route on the positive.
Creggan will start as favourites and although their visitors will give them a run for their money a home win looks likely.
Casement’s Portglenone v Lamh Dhearg (7.00pm)
Casement’s seem to have taken a very positive trail of late and back to back wins, gained home and away over St Gall’s have impressed observers.
Jude Donnelly’s charges are obviously in form at the moment and they will look forward to this latest assignment as the reigning county champions come a calling as Lamh Dhearg visit their O’ Cahan Park residence.
Hannahstown based Lamh Dhearg have not been seen at their best in league fare this term and have lost sight of the title but the retention of the championship has most likely been the main aim from the start of the season.
Lamh Dhearg having secured the points when the Portglenone men visited their base earlier in the season may well fancy their chances of a repeat.
Casement’s look to have taken strides forward of late and the retention of such recent form should ensure another win.
St Gall’s v Erin’s Own Cargin (7.00pm)
This looks an attractive affair as the old adversaries St Gall’s and Cargin cross swords up at Milltown and should attract a good gathering at the west Belfast arena.
St Gall’s having put the Toome men to the sword earlier in the season and having ten points to spare in a scintillating performance at the Shore Road venue will look for a repeat performance in their own back yard.
Sean Kelly’s charges did seem to lose their way somewhat in recent games and back to back defeats inflicted by Casement’s did come in unexpected eyebrow raising reversals.
Cargin, having had to cope with a lengthy injury list for much of the season have disappointed on a couple of occasions this term but despite such Damien Cassidy’s men remain in contention for the retention of the division one title.
The Toome men will travel in pursuit of the points if they are to remain on the road to another division one title.
A good game in prospect and certain to be fully contested, but ground advantage likely to tilt the balance in favour of the Milltown Blues.
Division One (B)
St Joseph’s Glenavy v O’ Donovan Rossa (4.00pm)
Only relegation and the avoidance of such is the business on hand in this sector and such is certainty the issue here as Glenavy play hosts to Rossa at their pristine Chapel Hill arena.
The St Joseph’s side having only acquired three points as reward for their efforts to date do look in trouble and they really need more if they are to retain status.
Having returned to the top grade in 2018 after a lengthy absence the Chapel Hill men must really dig deep if they are to avoid a quick return to the second grade.
Rossa are also haunted by the dark spectre of relegation akin to their hosts and the Shaw’s Road side presently occupying just a position ahead of their hosts will travel in search of the points.
Another close one in prospect, certain to be fully contested and indeed a draw and a share of the points is a distinctly possible outcome.
St Enda’s v St Mary’s Aghagallon (7.00pm)
Both the combatants in this one as St Enda’s play hosts to St Mary’s Aghagallon are in residence out of the relegation zone but although the visitors are secure in their status the home side must look over their shoulders with an eight point total not making security assured.
The Hightown men do seem to have lost their way somewhat after a good start to their new life in the top grade and a few points are required to guarantee status.
The home side need the points and such efforts in pursuit of such may well lead to a positive return for Frank Fitzsimmons’s charges.
St Teresa’s v St Mary’s Ahoghill (7.00pm)
This one is also certain to be well contested as St Teresa’s play hosts to the men from Ahoghill and although the home side are a few points ahead of their South West based visitors relegation remains an issue for both.
The Glen Road men reside in second place in the ratings but their nine point haul, three ahead of the Cloney men guarantees nothing.
Ahoghill did record a 3-10 to 1-06 win over the Glen road men when they crossed swords down at home early in the season and they will travel seeking to replicate such.
This one could go either way with a tentative vote awarded to Ahoghill.
Division Two (A)
St James Aldergrove v St Brigid’s (7.00pm)
This is a top of the table clash as the front running Crumlin men play hosts to South Belfast based St Brigid’s who follow closely, just a point in arrears of Paddy Nugent’s table toppers.
The home side having endured relegation at the end of last season have really picked themselves up this term with the former Johnnies manager at the helm and they are looking set for a quick return to the top table.
St Brigid’s took time to take the positive this term but recent form has been impressive and they do seem focused on a trip upwards again after a few years in exile.
Sure to be a fiercely contested affair, but the Crumlin men aided by the familiarity of home turf are awarded the vote.
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v Tir na Nog (7.00pm)
Randalstown based Tir na Nog have looked good for most of the season but for a couple of slip ups Damien ‘Scotchy’ Hagen’s men would be strong promotion contenders.
The Whitehill men remain in touch with proceedings at the top and they will travel down to Moneyglass certain in the knowledge that a win over the St Ergnat’s would ensure the upward way would remain a possible route.
Moneyglass have fared well enough this term with a young panel learning from experience gained and anticipating better times ahead.
They have been hit with a number of enforced absentees of late with several on the long term injury list.
Tir na Nog will travel in search of points and they may well emerge with such secured but that will not be easy.
Division 2 (B)
St Paul’s v All Saint’s Ballymena (7.00pm)
A narrow win gained over the visiting Sarsfield’s last time did ease the relegation issues faced by All Saint’s but more points are required if they are to reach the calm waters of safety.
The Ballymena men are on nine points the same total as their guests in this one as St Paul’s, with the Paddies just a point in arrears of both and a win here would ease their worries.
Shaw’s Road based St Paul’s have endured a less than profitable season thus far but no doubt capable of better they will seeking the comfort of a full return of the points grab both points on Wednesday evening with a victory gained over the already doomed O’ Donnell’s but this looks a more taxing assignment.
This looks a close one with the destination of the points of equal importance to both with ground advantage possibly tipping the balance.
St Mary’s Rasharkin v Michael Davitt’s (7.00pm)
This one involves first and second in the ratings in Division 2B and with relegation the only issue involved in this second phase it seems that only pride is at stake here as second placed Rasharkin play hosts to table topping Davitt’s.
The result, and the destination of the points seems only of academic importance but the Dreen men may well pass the post in front.
Division Three (all games at 7.00pm)
St Patrick’s Lisburn v Mc Quillan’s Ballycastle
Lisburn based St Patrick’s remain in pursuit of promotion and they will look to strengthen their claims here as they play hosts to Ballycastle based Mc Quillan’s.
The North Antrim side are not involved in the goings on at the top with eight points secured to date.
A win for the Lisburn men looks likely.
Con Magees Glenravel v Eire Og
Con Magees Glenravel are firmly on track for a return to the second grade and a win in this one against second from bottom Eire Og would aid the cause.
The Glensmen are a couple behind the front running Ardoyne and level with St Patrick’s and cannot afford any lapses.
A home win looks likely.
Kickham’s Ardoyne v St Agnes
North Belfast based Kickham’s of Ardoyne have had an excellent season thus far lead the way in the division fully focused on a return to the second grade.
St Agnes are finding it hard to gain positive returns for their labours of late and they remain well adrift of goings on at the top with just six points gathered to date.
Ardoyne will start as firm favourites and they barring major accident they will gain the win.
