N.B.The team at the bottom at the end of the campaign will be relegated while second bottom play the runners up in the division below them. That is the case in all divisions in both hurling and football
As we head into the split and look forward to the second phase of the respective halves of the league, each team will undoubtedly have their own aspirations. Those finishing in the top half, depending on whether they are at the top or finishing in sixth place will have serious aspirations of winning their respective leagues while some may just be relieved at the knowledge they are out of the relegation dog-fight for another year.
In division 1 the usual big hitters, Erin’s Own Cargin and St. Gall’s are in pole position with 18 points from 11 starts with Kickham’s Creggan and St. Johns only two points behind from the same number of games. It’s difficult to look past these four to predict the division 1 winners though Casement’s, a point further back can’t be ruled out and Lamh Dhearg may have already turned their attentions to the championship.
At the other end of the table the stress levels become more acute for a different reason. With five games left to play every game becomes a ‘must win’ for the likes of St. Mary’s Ahoghill, St. Teresa’s, St. Enda’s and Gort na Mona.
This has been familiar territory for the Cloney side over a number of years and the ‘great escape artists’ find themselves at the bottom of the league again after the split. Ahoghill have four points from their 11 starts as have St. Teresa’s while last year’s Intermediate specialists, St. Enda’s and the side they defeated in the Antrim final, Gort na Mona have six points from the same number of starts.
St. Teresa’s and Gort na Mona are scheduled to meet next week and a win for either side would go a long way towards securing their division 1 status but it certainly won’t guarantee it for either side.
Aghagallon put together a good run in the build up to the split, winning four and drawing one of their last five and sit top of division 1B and their visit to Ahoghill the same night looks like another interesting contest with the home side certainly needing something from this one.
In division 2 Rossa look the team to beat as we head into the second round of games and with five games to play Moneyglass are in pole position to join them in division 2 next season. The other four, All Saints, Dunloy, Tir na nOg and Sarsfields may have something to say about that. All Saints and St. Ergnat’s played out a fractious draw on Friday night and ironically they face-off again at Marion Hill on Wednesday evening.
In the bottom half of division 2 St. James Aldergrove top the group while Naomh Padraig Lisburn find themselves pointless. Spare a thought for the Lisburn side. They had knocked on the promotion door for a number of years before winning promotion last year and when I’ve covered their games they have played some good football but as yet haven’t turned those performances into result.
Ironically they played St. James on Friday past and are down to meet them again on Wednesday night at Kirkwood. A win here looks a big ask but if they are to harbour any notions of division 2 survival they really need something from this game.
Wednesday nights fixtures and previews
The football leagues continue on Wednesday evening with the second phase of divisions one and two set to proceed on the sectional basis, A and B.
Those teams involved in 1A will continue on a single round basis to determine the winners of the league title with the B section involved in determining the relegation issue with the bottom two at conclusion relegated.
Similarly those involved in the A section of division 2 will be involved in the battle for promotion which will also include the team which finishes second at conclusion.
The team at the bottom at the end of the campaign will be relegated while second bottom play the runners up in the division below them. That is the case in all divisions in both hurling and football
Division three will proceed on as in previous seasons, on a double round, home and away basis with the top two at conclusion gaining promotion.
Wed 3rd July
Division 1 A (8.00pm)
St John’s v Lamh Dhearg
St John’s currently remain in close proximity to the top of the table only a couple of points in arrears behind the front runners in the race for the league title, and the Corrigan men are most certainly contenders.
St. John’s did fall to an unexpected defeat at Ahoghill in their penultimate assignment and they will return to home base intent on retaining their unbeaten home record as they play hosts to Lamh Dhearg.
The Hannahstown men have slipped up on a couple of occasions this term and they are currently five points in arrears of the front runners and were held to a draw at Aghagallon last time.
The 2017 county champions are more than capable but this looks a tough assignment as they seek to regain winning ways with a visit to the Whiterock Road.
A close, keenly contested affair is likely but home advantage should tip the balance in favour of the Johnnies.
Kickham’s Creggan v Casement’s Portglenone
Defending league champs Kickham’s Creggan remain in contention to retain the silverware despite a poor opening period and a trio of reversals.
Kevin Madden’s men are unbeaten in their last half dozen games and look firmly back on track as in Casement’s visit.
The Bannsider’s have shown big improvement this term and at present they are still in contention and only three points behind the front runners.
A win at St Teresa’s last term underlined current well-being and they will make the trip to the Staffordstown road in a positive frame of mind as they prepare to cross swords with Creggan.
This one is certain to be keenly contested like their meeting in round one with little separating them but the Creggan men may earn the points.
Erin’s Own Cargin v St Gall’s
This one looks likely to attract a good crowd to Toome as the reigning county champions prepare to play hosts to St Gall’s.
Damien Cassidy’s men currently lead the way in the race for the Eddie Fitzsimmons trophy but only a superior score difference separates them from their visitors.
St Gall’s entertained Cargin in round 9 and nothing separated them at conclusion and the Blues will travel looking to go one better.
The Milltown men did not have to work too hard to gain the verdict over the visiting Gort na Mona last time but Sean Kelly’s men will travel to the South west anticipating a sterner examination.
Little may separate this duo at conclusion but it has been a while since the Toome men were beaten on their own sod and they could edge a tight contest.
Division 1 B (8.00pm)
St Mary’s Ahoghill v St Mary’s Aghagallon
Although they lost out to Cargin last time Ahoghill did stay with their hosts for a good period before making late concession.
The Cloney men gained a moral boosting win over the visiting St John’s prior to their trip to Toome and they will return home again looking for a similar return against Aghagallon.
Aghagallon took a while to get going this year but seem to have turned the corner of late.
They held the visiting Lamh Dhearg last time out and put together a run of four wins prior to that draw and they will take the road down to Ahoghill in a positive mood.
The destination of the points at stake will be a matter of keen competition here with just a tentative vote awarded to the Cloney side.
St Brigid’s v St Enda’s
Despite a good opening spell to the season which included a win over Cargin the reigning provincial and county Intermediate champions from St Enda’s have lost their way of late.
The Hightown men have just six points to their credit and are badly in need of adding to that total as they travel to Musgrave Park to meet St Brigid’s.
This duo met a few weeks ago at Hightown with St. Brigid’s gaining an away win and they will start this one as favourites for a repeat performance.
St Brigid’s lost out to Creggan last time but they gave a good account of themselves and a repeat performance could see them gain the verdict.
St Teresa’s v Gort na Mona
St Teresa’s have struggled for results in the current season but the Glen road residents have hinted an improvement of late.
They gave the visiting St Gall’s a game last time before suffering another defeat and recorded a 0-16 total in the process.
Gort na Mona gained promotion from division 2 last year and have six points to date and they will see this one as an opportunity to add to that total. The West Belfast men only failed by a couple of points at St Gall’s last time and such form, if maintained on the Glen road may well suffice. Another close one is expected and indeed a draw is a possible outcome.
Division 2 A (8.00pm)
O’ Donovan Rossa v Patrick Sarsfield’s
Having endured relegation from division 1 at the end of last season Rossa currently lead the way in division 2 and look hot favourites to return to the top table next term.
The Shaw’s road side have been beaten only once this year losing out to the visiting Tir na nOg in round nine but returned to action last time out with a twelve point win at Dunloy.
Sarsfield’s have enjoyed a fair campaign to date with half dozen victories but sit at the bottom of 2A going into this one. Rossa will start as favourites and although their near neighbours will lack for naught in effort a home win is anticipated.
Tir na Nog Randalstown v Cuchullian’s Dunloy
Tir na nOg took a while to get going this year but the Randalstown men showed just what they are capable of with a win over the table topping Rossa and are still in contention for promotion. The Whitehill side cannot afford any more defeats if such is to be achieved as they play hosts to Dunloy.
The Cuchullian’s have been in good form this term as well but they are also quite unpredictable on occasions as the concession of 4-12 to the visiting Glenavy in round eight underlines.
They take the road up to Whitehill looking for a return to the positive after another home defeat at the hands of the visiting Rossa last time.
Tir na nOg will start as slight favourites and although their visitors are more than capable of causing upset, they may well gain the verdict.
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v All Saint’s Ballymena
These keen rivals played out a draw at Quinn Park on Friday night and another close encounter is anticipated at Marion Hill.
The home side have been in good form this term and they remain favourites to join Rossa in division 1 next season.
They sit a couple of points ahead of All Saint’s and will go into action in the knowledge that a win will greatly enhance their promotion chances.
All Saint’s have performed well this term despite a lengthy injury list and they lost two more players on Friday night so they will start as underdogs here but with promotion still very much a possibility they will give it their best shot.
This one is certain to attract a good attendance with a tight contest anticipated but home advantage should tilt the balance in favour of the St Ergnat’s men.
Division 2 B (8.00pm)
St Patrick’s Lisburn v St James Aldergrove
Naomh Padraig gained promotion from division 3 last term but despite good performances in all their games they have yet to gain a point. These sides met in Crumlin on Friday night with St. James victorious by seven points and the Lisburn side will be hoping that home advantage will help them take something from the Aldergrove visit.
After a poor start to the season St. James’ have shown improvement lately aided by the return of top forward, Seamus McGarry and although Naomh Padraig will give it a lash it may not be enough to avoid another defeat.
Michael Davitt’s v St Mary’s Rasharkin
A close one is anticipated in this one as Davitt’s play hosts to Rasharkin in which the points at stake are certain to be keenly contested.
Little separated the sides in the ratings with he home side on six points, just one ahead of the Dreen men with relegation an issue for both.
Rasharkin edged the corresponding fixture at Dreen but will find points on the road hard to come by and they will do well to get anything from this one following a heavy defeat at Glenravel on Friday night.
St Joseph’s Glenavy v Con Magees Glenravel
Glenavy have struggled this term and although they have gathered a total of eight points they are badly in need of points and a win to halt a recent poor run of results.
Con Magees Glenravel, like Naomh Padraig gained promotion from division 3 last year but have faired much better in division 2 and recorded a fine win over Rasharkin last time out. They have ten points on board and will travel to Chapel Hill in a confident frame of mind.
With home advantage Glenavy will start as slight favourites but better is required if they are to return to winning ways.
Division 3 (8.00pm)
Kickham’s Ardoyne v Eire Og
Despite losing out to St Comgall’s in a top of the table clash a few weeks back Ardoyne still remain on the promotion trail and they should add another couple of point in this one as Eire Og visit.
St Agnes v St Malachy’s
St Agnes are struggling for points and they will start as underdogs as the men from the Markets visit.
Cardinal O’ Donnell’s v St Comgall’s Antrim
St Comgall’s still remain in pole position despite a recent defeat to St Pauls and they should return to winning ways as they visit McCrory Park.
Mc Quillan’s Ballycastle v Patrick Pearses
Mc Quillan’s Ballycastle have failed to make impact to date and they will do well to see of the challenge of Pearses with an away win anticipated.
St Paul’s v Laochra Loch Lao
Despite a slow start and a couple of early defeats St Paul’s have picked up the pace and are the form side in the division at present and another couple of points look likely as they pay a visit to Laochra Loch Lao.