As the last round of the league approaches there are still some issues unresolved and questions to be answered on Wednesday evening.
Wed 14th August
Division One (8.00pm)
Casement’s Portglenone v Lamh Dhearg
Casement’s play hosts to Lamh Dhearg and although this one is of no significance to the home side, the Hannahstown men will arrive in search of a win as such would earn them a ‘seeded’ berth in next year’s championship.
They have a superior scoring difference to the other participants, St Gall’s and St John’s, who are scheduled to meet on Monday evening next and a win at O’ Cahan park would be mission accomplished.
Despite the fact that Casement’s are out of the running for honours this one is certain to be fully contested and likely to be a close one as both look forward to the championship with the in-form Hannahstown men possibly taking the spoils.
St Teresa’s v St Brigid’s
St Teresa’s, despite their best efforts over the recent past have succumbed to relegation and the Glen Road men will play in the second grade in the season ahead.
They have struggled against the odds for the past few seasons and although character is not a question within the ranks they have struggled to gain points.
St Brigid’s have also struggled to make impact this term and the South Belfast side will travel in the knowledge that a full return of points is required if they are to ensure division 1 status for another term.
The visitors have been hit with more than a few short term absentees over the summer months and will be hoping to be back to near full-strength for this one.
St Brigid’s will start as favourites, and they may well prevail but the Glen road men will not go down without a struggle.
St Gall’s v St John’s (Monday 19th Aug at 7.30pm)
An end of season affair here as both the Johnnies and their hosts at Milltown are likely to be focusing on the championship with the destination of the league title in other hands.
Both are on 20 points apiece with Lamh Dhearg just a point in arrears and if the Hannahstown men gain the spoils from their assignment in the South West irrespective of the result on the Lower Falls arena the Lamh’s will have secured place number four in next year’s seeding.
This one is always a closely contested affair and is certainly destined to follow in the same trend with the Johnnies possibly gaining the points.
Kickham’s Creggan v Erin’s Own Cargin
A local derby as Creggan play hosts to their near neighbours from Cargin with the current league holders welcoming the county champions to their abode.
This one is always keenly anticipated and certain to be well attended as the Toome men arrive a couple of points ahead of their hosts in the league ratings and a superior points difference cast as strong favourites to play hosts to the Eddie Fitzsimmons trophy this term.
Kevin Madden’s men will be doing their utmost to retain a grip on the silverware but such will require a ten point winning margin which looks highly unlikely.
Gort na Mona v St Mary’s Ahoghill
Having already secured status for season 2020 Gort na Mona will not be facing any pressure in this one as the under pressure St Mary’s Ahoghill visit with the Cloney men needing the win in their efforts to maintain a division 1 place next season.
Ahoghill have showed spirit and character but lost out last time to relegation rivals St. Enda’s and they require a full return here and hope results elsewhere will favour them.
St Enda’s gained the points at Aghagallon on Monday evening and the relegation play off will now involve either Ahoghill or St Brigid’s.
Gort na Mona will approach this one with a proverbial spring in the step but Ahoghill will give it everything.
Division Two (8.00pm)
St Patrick’s Lisburn v St Mary’s Rasharkin
St Patrick’s Lisburn got a win last time out when they returned from a trip down to Glenravel with their first points secured.
Such, has arrived too late to save the gallant St Patrick’s from a quick return to the lower division but they are certain to have learned from the experience and no doubt they will be back in the promotion race again next year.
St Mary’s Rasharkin have struggled this term and they are set to meet the runner’s up in the third grade in a two legged play off with a place in the 2020 second division as prize for the eventual winners.
The Dreen men have improved recently, defeating Glenravel on Sunday and may well return from this trip to Lisburn with the points secured.
O’ Donovan Rossa v St Ergnat’s Moneyglass
Rossa suffered their second defeat of the season in Ballymena last time out to put their division 2 celebrations on hold but a win here would ensure them the title. The Shaw’s road men lead the division a point ahead and a game in hand over second placed Moneyglass and a win against the visiting St. Ergnat’s will secure the title.
A Moneyglass win however would see them move above their hosts, leaving Rossa needing a win in their last game away to Tir na nOg but Moneyglass will still be promotion contenders irrespective of the result in this one.
If they lose the Marian Hill residents will meet up with either near neighbours Ahoghill or St Brigid’s in a play-off if not successful in this one.
Rossa with ground advantage will see Wednesday night’s encounter as the opportunity to secure the division two title and the greater prize of promotion.
Tir na Nog Randalstown V Patrick Sarsfields
Nothing at stake in this one as Tir na nOg play hosts to Sarsfield’s with both having lost sight of promotion.
The Championship is just around the corner however and both will look to this one to aid preparation for the knock out competition.
Sarsfield’s have enjoyed a good run this term and with 16 points gained the ‘Bear Pit’ residents will travel down to Randalstown in search of more.
Tir na nOg won at Sarsdfields in the corresponding fixture and they may well gain the verdict.
All Saint’s Ballymena v Dunloy
All Saint’s produced one of their best performances of the season last time out with a win over Rossa.
The Ballymena men came from off the pace to gain the verdict and they will be looking to keep their recent good run going as the championship approaches.
Dunloy defeated All Saints in Dunloy earlier in the year and will travel to Slemish Park hoping to record the double over the Ballymena side.
Both sides will have an eye on the championship and will see this as excellent opportunity to prepare for their forthcoming championship games and this one could go either way.
Con Magees Glenravel v Michael Davitt’s
Con Magees have lost their last two games following an excellent run in their first season back in division 2 with their long since division 2 status secured for next season.
They are back on home turf again as Michael Davitt’s visit and will be hoping to get back to winning ways as the championship approaches.
Davitt’s are well clear of the relegation zone and will take the trip to the country in their stride.
Con Magee’s will start as favourites and although their visitors will not go down without a fight home advantage may tilt the balance in favour of the Glensmen.
Division Three (7.30pm)
Cardinal O’ Donnell’s v St Pauls
St Paul’s are flying high in the division and barring major accident they look on their way back to the second grade.
Ardoyne are hot on their tail however and they cannot afford a slip with a win at McCrory Park the likely outcome.
Kickham’s Ardoyne v St Agnes
Ardoyne are still very much in contention for promotion at the end of the season and they are likely gain the verdict in this one as the Aggies visit.
St Malachy’s v Patrick Pearses
Nothing at stake in this one only pride as St Malachy’s play hosts to Pearses.
This one may well be close but the current climate would suggest an away win is possible but it could go either way.
St Comgall’s Antrim v Mc Quillan’s Ballycastle
St Comgall’s are not ruled out of the promotion race but they would need results elsewhere to go their way but such looks unlikely in the present climate.
The Dunsilly residents will maintain focus until conclusion and they will add another couple of points to their credit here as McQuillan’s visit.
Eire Og v Laochra Loch Lao
Another one in which pride is the only motivator with Laochra Loch Lao given the nod in this one.