Football Fixtures and Previews (Round 10)
The league is set for completion this week with the last round of fixtures scheduled for Wednesday evening.
There is no relegation to worry about and as the winners of the respective divisions have already been decided with pride the only issue involved.
Wed 7th July
Division One (all games at 7.30)
St John’s v St Mary’s Ahoghill
St John’s have enjoyed a fair season but with a few county players missing throughout the Corrigan men are likely to have had eyes firmly fixed on championship.
Paddy Nugent’s men will fancy their chances in this one as Ahoghill visit to finish with a flourish.
St Mary’s Ahoghill took a time to get going this year but have recorded a couple of recent back to back wins over Aghagallon and Gort na Mona before losing last time to a strong St. Brigid’s and may find this trip to the Whiterock Road a step too far.
Kickham’s Creggan v Lamh Dhearg
Creggan lost out narrowly to Cargin last time in a game they needed to win to have any chance of winning the league and they will be hoping to put that loss behind them when Lamh Dhearg visit.
They have enjoyed a good season and a win in this one will ensure a creditable runner up spot at conclusion.
Lamh Dhearg had a fair season with recent wins over St Brigid’s and St. Enda’s but this looks a tough assignment but if they have their county men back it could be close
Erin’s Own Cargin v St Enda’s Glengormley
Cargin have already won another league title with their win over Creggan last time out securing the title. The Toome men have lost only once despite blooding a lot of new young talent this year.
St Enda’s have recorded a couple of good results lately and the Hightown side will give this one their all but a home win looks likely.
St Brigid’s v O’ Donovan Rossa
This looks a hard one to call as St Brigid’s welcome Rossa to Musgrave Park.
The home side have proved a bit inconsistent of late but a good victory over Ahoghill last time suggests they may be back in form.
Rossa started the season strongly but they have slipped a bit lately and may well need to rediscover early form if they are to gain the last points on offer for this term.
Gort na Mona v Casement’s Portglenone
Gort na Mona have recorded a couple of good wins this year and recorded a creditable draw at Rossa last time out but they will have to be at their best to get anything as they play hosts to the visiting Portglenone.
Casement’s have recorded a number of good results lately and they will start this one as strong favourite and should prevail.
St Mary’s Aghagallon v St Gall’s
Aghagallon have struggled to get it together this year and have missed the services of a good share of their panel, with a long injury list and several key players on county duty.
The St Mary’s will hope to have some of those players available for this one as they play hosts to St Gall’s.
The Milltown men are in the process of rebuilding at present but they may are likely to push their hosts all the way.
Division Two (all games at 7.30pm)
St Teresa’s v All Saint’s Ballymena
St Teresa’s recorded a good win recently over Glenravel and may be starting to find a bit of form with the championship just around the corner. The Glen Road side drew with the in form Davitt’s last time and will return to home turf for this one as they welcome the men from Ballymena.
All Saint’s have had a really good season with only one defeat to date but have missed out on top spot but they may well claim another couple of points from their last league outing this term.
Tir na Nog Randalstown v Michael Davitt’s
Tir na nOg have already secured the division two title and a place in division 1 in 2022.
The Whitehill Blues made it ten wins in a row with a win at Glenravel and will strive to maintain their unbeaten run as they welcome Davitt’s to Whitehill.
Davitt’s have shown a lot of improvement lately but they will travel out to the South west more in hope than in confidence with a win for Tir na nOg anticipated.
Con Magees Glenravel v Kickham’s Ardoyne
Con Magees have enjoyed a good season to date and look likely to secure a top four place.
They lost to a strong Tir na nOPg last time but they gave the league winners a run for their money and may see this as opportunity to get back to winning ways as Ardoyne visit Fr. Maginn Park
Reigning Junior champions Ardoyne have consolidated their place in the second tier with a productive 2021 but the North Belfast men may well have to settle for second best in this one.
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v St Paul’s
St Ergnat’s have struggled to cope with the loss of several key players of late and this is fully reflected in recent poor returns.
They have slipped down the ratings but they will hope for better as St Paul’s visit.
These sides met in the semi-final of last year’s Intermediate championship with St. Paul’s perhaps unfortunate to have lost that one and they will see this one as an opportunity to measure their progress.
The Shaw’s Road side have recorded recent wins over Glenavy and Aldergrove and another win here would set them up nicely for the championship.
St James Aldergrove v Patrick Sarsfield’s
Aldergrove were contention for league honours in the early stages of the league but the Crumlin men have slipped a little way off the pace of late.
They lost to St Pauls last time and to All Saints previously but will hope to return to winning ways as the Sarsfield’s men visit.
The Paddies have had a poor season but drew with the visiting Glenavy last time but they will do well to get anything from this one.
St Joseph Glenavy v Cuchullian’s Dunloy
Glenavy have struggled this year and they will be looking for a better performance from the visit of a Dunloy side wqho have themselves struggled for results.
This has been a taxing season for the Dunloy men with only one win to date and they may well struggle to double their tally in this one.