Football Fixtures and Previews
(Fri 2nd/Sat 3rd July)
With the conclusion of the football leagues approaching the football competition continues with another round of fixtures scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
The last round of this competition is scheduled for another evening session as the curtain is set to come down on Wednesday of next week 7th July.
The division three league is completed with the top four at this grade to continue in a top four event.
Friday 2nd July
Division One (at 7.45 pm)
Erin’s Own Cargin v Kickham’s Creggan
This local derby is certain to attract the attentions of many as the reigning county champions Cargin play hosts to their near neighbours as last year’s beaten finalists come to Toome.
The home side have impressed throughout the current campaign and with just a single defeat endured in the campaign they lead the way at the top of the ratings.
Damien Cassidy’s men gained another win on the road in their mid-week win over St. John’s with a bit to spare will return to base hoping to retain such positivity.
Creggan will come to the shore road hoping to get one over on their close rivals and in such affairs anything is possible but the current climate would suggest a home win is probable.
O’ Donavan Rossa v Gort na Mona
Having led the way in the division for a while, Rossa lost their way for a time, but Hugh Mc Gettigan’s side have returned to winning ways in recent outings.
They gained another brace of points at Aghagallon last time and they will welcome Gort na Mona to Shaw’s Road in a positive vein of form.
Gort na Mona, who lost to the visiting Ahoghill on Wednesday night will travel in search of improvement but a home win does look the most likely result.
St Mary’s Ahoghill v St Brigid’s
It took a while for Ahoghill to get off the mark this year but the St Mary’s men have grasped the nettle of late with back to back victories recorded.
Following a home win over Aghagallon they continued with another over Gort na Mona at Enright park and they will return to their familiar sod anticipating the arrival of St Brigid’s.
The South Belfast side have lost their two most recent games and will travel to Cloney, hoping to get back to winning ways but the in-form Clooney men are given the nod.
Division Two (at 7.45 pm)
Patrick Sarsfield’s v St Joseph’s Glenavy
Sarsfields have struggled to make any impact this term and they will be hoping to break their duck in this one as Glenavy visit the Bear Pit.
The Chapel Hill side have struggled themselves to date but this looks a good opportunity for them to add a couple of points to their total.
Michael Davitt’s v St Teresa’s
Davitt’s have improved of late but this may well prove a stiff assignment for the falls road men as St Teresa’s pay a visit.
The home side have gained four wins to date but can be quite unpredictable on accession.
St Teresa’s have mixed the good with the mediocre this year but the Glen road side are quite capable and may well gain the verdict.
Cuchullian’s Dunloy v Kickham’s Ardoyne
Cuchullian’s Dunloy recorded their first win of the present campaign when they defeated Sarsfields on Wednesday night and they will be hoping for another win from the visit of Ardoyne.
Kickham’s side have fared quite well in division 2 this year and the reigning county Junior champions may well gain another positive verdict.
Con Magees Glenravel v Tir na nOg (8-15)
Tir na nOg have one foot in the top grade for the season ahead as they visit Glenravel and a point from this visit to Fr. Maginn Park is all that is required to ensure that promotion.
Glenravel have enjoyed an excellent season and they are sure to give their visitors a run for their money but the visitors should secure the necessary point and a place in division 1 tonight.
St Paul’s v St James Aldergrove
Aldergrove outside chance of promotion were dashed when they lost to the visiting All Saints on Wednesday night and they will travel to St. Paul’s hoping to hold on to a top 4 place.
St Paul’s have fared well this year, occupying a mid-table slot at present and they will fancy their chances of getting something from this one
All Saints v St Ergnat’s Moneyglass (8-15)
All Saints have performed well this term but a place in the top grade is within reach but will depend on results elsewhere.
They retained that good form last time with a good win on a visit to Crumlin and they will be hoping to continue their good run of results with a rare victory over the visiting Moneyglass.
The St Ergnat’s men have suffered through injuries in recent games with promotion out of reach for this term and they may well All Saints too hot to handle this time.
ACFL Division 3 semi-finals
The top four places in the ACFL Division 3 have been decided and tomorrow both semi-finals are down for decision with Rasharkin and Naomh Padraig meeting at Dunsilly while the top side in the division, St. Comgall’s Antrim meeting Pearses at Dreen.
St. Mary’s Rasharkin v Naomh Padraig Lisburn
Saturday 12 noon Dunsilly
These sides met on Wednesday night at Kirkwoods Park with the Lisburn men emerging winners by 10 points. There was nothing at stake in regards to finishing places however and Naomh Padraig are likely to face a much sterner test tomorrow but can edge this one.
St. Comgall’s Antrim v Pearses
Saturday 12 noon Rasharkin
St. Comgall’s have been the form team in division 3 this year, finishing their league campaign with maximum points and recording some big scores. Their opponents tomorrow, Pearses secured their place in the top four with a win over Eire Og last Wednesday night but when on form are a descent side and will put it up to the Antrim town side.
St. Comgall’s look to have too much fire power for tomorrow’s opponent but could face a battle before securing their place in the final.
Saturday 3rd July
Division One (at 12 noon)
Lamh Dhearg v St John’s
This looks another close one as St John’s travel to Hannastown to meet Lamh Dhearg.
Paddy Nugent’s Johnnies lost out to the visiting Cargin last time and they will be hoping for a win against one of their keenest rivals.
Lamh Dhearg have recovered from a bad start to the season to record some good results and they came from off the pace to gain the verdict at St Brigid’s and will look to continue in such winning ways.
St Gall’s v St Enda’s Glengormley
St Enda’s had a bad start to the season but have shown marked improvement lately with a win away to Portglenone and a draw with Creggan last Wednesday night. They will travel to Milltown to cross swords with St Gall’s hopeful of gaining a positive return.
Padraig O Muiri’s men have proved a bit inconsistant to date with only a couple of wins but may well gain the points from this one.