The football leagues are nearing completion but nothing is decided as yet as to the winners and those who fail to make the grade but with just a few rounds remaining this mid-week list may well shine a light on probable outcomes.
The championship beckons as the opening rounds are just around the corner with preliminary games scheduled for the 7th-9th September.
Wed 29th August 27
Division One Section (A) (7.30pm)
Kickham’s Creggan v St Gall’s
This one looks like the ‘match of the day’ as Creggan play hosts to the Milltown men when St Gall’s visit the South West and the outcome will go a long way to deciding the league title.
Both have impressed in their respective offerings to date and although the city men blotted their copy book somewhat when failing to cope with the Casement’s men, losing back to back encounters both home and away they returned to form in no uncertain fashion last time when they recorded a big win over the visiting Cargin men.
Creggan have a similar league record as their visitors with just a couple of reversals incurred thus far and although Kevin Madden’s men did endure one of those defeats up in Milltown they are favored by ground advantage this time.
The Kickham’s side has remained unbeaten on their own sod thus far in 2018 and will look to extend their sequence this time.
This one is certain to draw a big attendance to the Staffordstown road arena with an attractive keenly contested affair in prospect.
Little may separate them at conclusion, but Creggan fully aided by ground conditions and a vociferous home support may well take the points.
Erin’s Own Cargin v Casement’s Portglenone
Casement’s won on their last road trip gaining the points on offer and an excellent win over Sean Kelly’s St Gall’s up at the Milltown Row.
The Portglenone men had previously lowered the colours of St Gall’s down at O’ Cahan Park and Jude Donnelly’s charges will travel up to Toome to cross swords with Cargin in a positive mode.
The Erin’s Own men disappointed last time when they lost heavily at Milltown and with a championship date drawing closer Damien Cassidy’s men will be striving for improvement.
The Toome men have been hit by injuries with several regulars sidelined long term and they will be hoping for improvement on that front sooner rather than later as their first round championship assignment is only a couple of weeks away.
Casement’s having been halted on a positive run last time when they lost out to the visiting Lamh Dhearg will travel seeking a return to winning ways but although they may well make the home side work for the points a home win is anticipated.
St John’s v Lamh Dhearg
Reigning county champions Lamh Dhearg returned to form last time out when they returned with the points from Portglenone and they will travel down to Corrigan Park looking to repeat the feat.
The Hannahstown side had been a trifle indifferent in their league offerings previously in 2018 but with the 2018 version of the championship in sight they may well be lighting the fuse.
St John’s may well be on a retrieval mission this term after finishing in the runners up berth in last year’s senior championship and Gearoid Adams may well be holding fire until next month.
The Whiterock men having lost out to Creggan last time may well be keen to regain winning ways in this one.
Another close one in prospect with ground advantage expected to tip the balance towards a home win.
Division One Section (B) – 7.30pm
St Joseph’s Glenavy v St Enda’s
Last week’s win gave Glenavy a valuable two points with a victory over visiting Rossa to give some comfort to the St Joseph’s men but the Chapel Hill residents require more if they are to retain status.
Nothing less than a couple more positive returns will give them a chance at retaining their senior status and they will be in search of a couple in this one as St Enda’s visit Chapel Hill.
The Glengormley side, having started the season well faltered a little mid-season but a hard earned win gained over Aghagallon last time took their points tally to ten and such ensured safety.
Glenavy will be striving for a full return to ensure that light remains at the end of the tunnel and they may well prove successful.
St Teresa’s v St Mary’s Aghagallon
Aghagallon continue to lead the way in this section and with relegation, or the avoidance of such the only issue the St Mary’s men are under no pressure. The South West side will travel up to the city for this one and a meeting with St Teresa’s who are not in a secure place as yet and a couple more points are the requirement.
The Glen road side had a good win over the visiting Rossa last time and will look to continue in such mode in this one.
A close one is in prospect here and indeed a share of the spoils and a draw possible.
O’ Donovan Rossa v St Mary’s Ahoghill
Shaw’s road based Rossa look in a dark place at present and they are threatened by the dark cloud of relegation. They are presently languishing at the bottom of the heap in the top grade and only a Lazarus like return to the positive will ensure survival.
They will play hosts to the in-form Ahoghill this time with the knowledge that they must win all of their remaining games if they are to have any chance of redemption.
Ahoghill were also residing in a bad place for a term but the ‘fighting spirit’ and character within has seen the Clooney men collect back to back wins from their latest two assignments and on the threshold of safety.
The St Mary’s men require another few points to reach a place of safety and they will take the M2 on a quest for two in this one.
Another close encounter is anticipated with just a tentative vote awarded to the in-form Ahoghill, but it could well go either way.
Division Two Section (A) (7.30pm)
St Brigid’s v St Ergnat’s Moneyglass
South Belfast based St Brigid’s have recovered from a rather tame start to 2018 proceedings to gain improvement and at present they lead the way in the ratings seemingly on course for a return to the top grade.
Another couple of points would almost certainly ensure promotion and they will be looking for such return in this one as they play hosts to Moneyglass.
The St Ergnat’s men are struggling at the moment with injuries to key personnel hindering positive returns.
St Ergnat’s will travel seeking improvement with their present youthful squad but St Brigid’s will start as firm favourites and they may well move a step closer to promotion and division one looming large on the horizon.
Gort na Mona v St James Aldergrove
St. James Aldergrove remain firmly on the promotion trail and Paddy Nugent’s men will take the road to West Belfast in search of a couple more points to aid them on their way.
They currently reside in second place in the ratings but they cannot afford any slip ups with Tir na Nog only a couple of points adrift.
Gort na Mona led the way in the ratings for a time and although they have slipped a little of late they are more than capable of causing upset.
Aldergrove will start as favourites and should secure the points but the home side may well give them problems.
Cuchullian’s Dunloy v Tir na Nog
Randalstown based Tir na Nog remain in with a shout in the race for promotion as they take the road down to Dunloy with a full return in focus.
The Whitehill side, under the astute management of Damien ‘Scotchy’ Hagen are just a couple of points behind second placed Aldergrove, have fared well this term despite a lengthy injury list and regained momentum last time out with an excellent win gained at Moneyglass.
Dunloy are out of the race for promotion but more than capable for any in this grade when in the mood.
They failed to convince last time when failing to cope with the visiting Gort na Mona but are capable of better.
Tir na Nog will travel in search of a full return and they may well succeed in such a quest.
Division Two Section (B) (7.30pm)
All Saint’s v Michael Davitt’s
All Saint’s seem to have banished the dark specter of possible relegation after poor returns from an indifferent early season had seen them descend to the depths of despair with a downward trail looming large.
They have ignited the blue touch paper of improvement of late and a recent positive run of results has seen them climb out of the depths and nearing the calm waters of security.
Davitt’s lead the way in the grade and a 13 point haul ensures they are not involved in any relegation issues and the west Belfast men need not look over their shoulders as they take the road to Ballymena.
A win and another brace of points would certainly prove hugely beneficial to the home side and they may well manage to collect such prize.
O’ Donnell’s v St Mary’s Rasharkin
O’ Donnell’s have given up the ghost and the brave West Belfast men, who did so well to gain promotion last term are destined to return to basement level again for 2019.
The McCrory Park residents will be hoping for a quick return upwards next year and they may well have benefitted for the experience gained in 2018’
St Mary’s Rasharkin with 12 points gained look safe from relegation which is the only issue at stake and they will should add another couple of points here.
Patrick Sarsfield’s v St Paul’s
Relegation or the avoidance of such is the only concern for those involved in this one as Sarsfield’s play hosts to St Paul’s.
The Paddies currently reside a point ahead of their visitors and a home win would most likely see St Paul’s in the bottom grade in 2019.
This looks likely to be a fiercely contested affair which could go either way with Sarsfield’s given a tentative nod.
Division Three (7.30 pm)
Eire Og v St Agnes
Both Eire Og and their visitors from St Agnes have struggled to make impact this term with ground advantage the reason for suggesting a win for the former.
St Patrick’s Lisburn v Kickham’s Ardoyne
This looks like a close one as second placed Lisburn play hosts to the table topping Ardoyne in what looks an intriguing contest. St. Patrick’s looked impressive when I saw them beat Eire Og in the championship on Friday night though Paddy Murray’s Ardoyne will provide a much stiffer challenge.
This one could go either way but home advantage could sway it in favour of the Lisburn side.
Patrick Pearses v Con Magees Glenravel
Glenravel remain in the race for promotion, currently residing in third position and level on points with second placed St Patrick’s.
The Glensmen will travel to the city with an eye on the goings on in Lisburn and should return with the points secured but Pearses will have been buoyed by a good championship win at the weekend.
Mc Quillan’s v Laochra Loch Lao
Ballycastle based Mc Quillan’s play hosts to the new kids on the block as Laochra Loch Lao pay a visit.
The sea-siders have fared quite well this term and may well collect another couple of points in this one.
St Comgall’s v St Malachy’s
Antrim based St Comgall’s have been a bit inconsistent this season and will depend on results elsewhere if they are to get back into the promotion race but they can add another couple of points here as St Malachy’s visit Dunsilly.