(Wed 19th August)
Another round of championship fixtures scheduled for the mid-week as the end of the ‘round robin’ league system approaches conclusion.
There are games in all of the grades, Senior, Intermediate, and Junior and more than a few questions remaining on qualification for the quarter-finals.
Wed 19th August (all games 7.15 pm)
Northern Switchgear Senior Football Championship
Group One
Kickham’s Creggan v Casement’s Portglenone
Casement’s got off the mark last time out when they defeated the visiting Ahoghill and they will travel up to Creggan with the confidence level elevated.
The Bannsider’s really need a positive return to aid the passage into the quarter finals and this does look a contender for ‘match of the day’.
Creggan remain undefeated to date, beating Portglenone in the corresponding round in Portglenone and they will take the field content in the knowledge that a draw will guarantee them a place in the knockout stages and this looks within their grasp.
Group Two
O’ Donovan Rossa v St Johns
A close encounter in prospect in this one as Rossa play hosts to their closest rivals St. John’s.
The Corrigan men will travel in the knowledge that anything less than a win will prove insufficient as they battle for a place in the quarter finals in a do or die affair.
Rossa gained a share of the spoils when they visited the Whiterock road in the first round and will also take the field certain that a win will ensure their place in the last eight.
Certainly another contender for the ‘match of the day’ and certain to be keenly contested and another share of the spoils and a draw is possible.
Group Three
St James Aldergrove v St Brigid’s
Aldergrove have as yet failed to earn a point in the competition and they will be striving to open account in this one as St Brigid’s visit.
St Brigid’s earned the points when they played hosts to the Crumlin side at Musgrave Park and will travel in confidence to repeat that feat.
St Mary’s Aghagallon v Erin’s Own Cargin
Cargin remain unbeaten in the competition and will travel to Aghagallon seeking to retain that unbeaten record.
Damian Cassidy’s side have impressed to date with qualification already secured and may give some of their fringe players game time. Erin’s Own will travel with confidence but might not get it all their own way.
Aghagallon had a good win over St Brigid’s last time out and Kevin Murray’s side have performed well in the league stages and ran Cargin close in Toome in the previous round.
The home side will fancy their chances on their own turf but Cargin may well gain a narrow verdict.
Group Four
St Gall’s v Gort na Mona
St. Gall’s were beaten by a strong finishing St Enda’s last time at Milltown and Paddy Murray’s side will be seeking a positive return as they play hosts to Gort na Mona.
The home side will start as firm favourites to gain the points required to guarantee a quarter final place.
Gort na Mona lost by ten points in the corresponding fixture and the home side will start as strong favourites and they should gain the points to guarantee qualification.
Larkin Cassidy Solicitors Intermediate Football Championship
Group One
Con Magees Glenravel v St Ergnat’s Moneyglass
Moneyglass lead the way in this section and they will seal a place in the knockout stages if they can gain the points in this one as they take the road to Glenravel.
They face a Con Magee’s side in contention themselves and in good form at present however and the Glensmen may well prove a tough nut to crack on their own sod and a share of the spoils is a possible return.
St Joseph’s Glenavy v Cuchullian’s Dunloy
Dunloy are chasing a place in the quarter-finals in an extremely tight group where Moneyglass and Glenravel are also within reach so there is no room for error as they visit Glenavy.
Glenavy have found their feet of late with a win at the Bear Pit and with confidence secured they may well give the Cuchullian’s a run for their money.
Michael Davitt’s v Patrick Sarsfield’s
Davitt’s only win in the Group stages came away to Glenavy and a place in the knockout stages is out of reach but they may well gain the points in this one against a Sarsfield’s side who have struggled this year.
Group Two
St Mary’s Rasharkin v Tir na nOg
Both sides have struggled to make much impact in Group 2 and a place in the next phase is out of reach for both.
The Randalstown men will enter this one as favourites but they will be given a stiff test by a Rasharkin team who are never easily beaten on their own ground.
All Saint’s Ballymena v St Paul’s
Both sides have already secured a place in the knockout stages as All Saint’s play hosts to the similarly unbeaten to date St Paul’s.
Ground advantage may well tilt the balance in favour of the Ballymena men who have been in good form this season.
St Teresa’s v St Patrick’s Lisburn
St Teresa’s will start this one as firm favourites but the road to the next phase of the competition is out of reach for both side with only pride at stake.
GYMCO Junior Football Championship
Group One
St Agnes v Mc Quillan’s Ballycastle
The Aggies have caught the eye of late with an emphatic win over Laochra Loch Lao last time out.
The West Belfast men play hosts to table toppers McQuillan’s and they may well give the North Antrim men a run for their money.
Laochra Loch Lao v Patrick Pearses
Pearses remain on course for a place in the knockout stages but the North Belfast men need a win here to secure that place with Ballycastle, St. Agnes and themselves all on four points going into this last round of Group 1 games.
Group Two
Eire Og v Cardinal O’ Donnell’s
O’ Donnell’s are still in the hunt for qualification to the next phase of the championship and they travel over to Eire Og requiring a positive return if they are to remain on course. The McCrory Park side raised a few eyebrows with a win over a fancied Ardoyne last time out and that win puts them in the mix with St. Comgall’s for the second qualification spot
Andy McGowan’s Eire Og may well give their visitors a run for their money but O’ Donnell’s can claim the points.
John Mitchell’s v St Comgall’s Antrim
John Mitchell’s have failed to record a positive return to date and this looks another tough assignment as St. Comgall’s visit.The Antrim town men need a high scoring win to improve their score difference and should achieve one.
Adrian Dougan’s charges will start this one as the red hot favourites and his St Comgall’s side should collect the points.