Geordie McGuckin previews Sunday’s Division 1 game between St. John’s and Cargin, the only All County League fixture on Sunday and give his predictions on a full programme of fixtures for Wednesday night as the mid-week games get under way.
There is Just one senior league game scheduled for Sunday with a full programme in divisions one and two fixed for the mid-week and Wednesday evening.
A time slot of 6.45pm is scheduled for round three of league competition and with the clocks set to go back this weekend this looks possible with a strictly on time throw in.
Sunday 27th March
Division One (5.00pm)
St John’s v Erin’s Own Cargin
Games featuring this duo are usually close fought affairs and as the Johnnies play hosts to Cargin such is likely to follow in that trend.
The home side like their visitors will be without their county players and although they lost to the Toome men in the early stages of the 2021 league campaign their flag is not often lowered at Corrigan.
Cargin collected the league title last year and they have gotten away to a good start this term with a point gained at Hannahstown prior to a home win over last year’s beaten county finalists Aghagallon.
The Johnnies claimed the points last time out from a trip to the country at the expense of Ahoghill, and they will be keen to continue that form back on the Whiterock Road but their visitors may well shade it.
Wed 30th March
Division One (6.45pm)
Casement’s Portglenone v Tir na nOg Randalstown
Casement’s are unbeaten to date following back to back victories over St. John’s and St. Brigid’s as they welcome newly promoted Tir na nOg to Portglenone.
The home side had to dig deep to record a win over their visitors St Brigid’s last time but an opening day win at Corrigan suggests they have hit the ground running.
Tir na nOg enjoyed a supper 2021 season securing both Intermediate championship and division 2 league and a good over Gort na Mona opened their account in the top grade.
Casement’s will start this one as warm favourites and although Michael O’ Kane’s men may ask questions of their hosts a home win looks probable.
St Enda’s Glengormley v St Brigid’s
St Enda’s claimed a notable scalp last time when they edged out the reigning champions Kickham’s Creggan at Hightown and they will look for a similar result here from the visit of St Brigid’s.
St Brigid’s gave their hosts Casement’s a run for their money last time at Kelly Park before losing by a couple of points in a feisty contest.
The South Belfast men will look for a better return from this away fixture but boosted by their win over the county champions last time, St Enda’s may continue their good form with a home win anticipated.
Lamh Dhearg v O’ Donovan Rossa
Lamh Dhearg shared the points with the visiting Cargin men on day 1 and retain ground advantage to their second game as they renew acquaintances with the men from Rossa.
The Hannahstown side held the reigning league champions to a draw in round one and will hope to add to that performance.
Rossa opened account with a win over the visiting St Enda’s in round one but lost by a point to St Gall’s in round two and they will do well to get anything from their visit to Hannastown.
Erin’s Own Cargin v Kickham’s Creggan
A local derby as Cargin play hosts to the reigning county champions in Toome where a big attendance is anticipated.
Both sides could be without their respective contingent of ‘county players’ but a keen close fought encounter in firmly anticipated.
Cargin gained a narrow victory from their meeting at the same venue last term but with the confidence of their visitors raised from their championship success the home side will need to be at their best to take the points.
St Gall’s v St John’s
St Gall’s lost at Aghagallon in round one but recorded their first victory in round 2 when a Mickey Pollock point saw them edge a tight contest against Rossa at Milltown.
The Milltown men are team building and face a tuff test as they welcome the Johnnies to Milltown.
St John’s will travel in search of the points but honours may well be shared in this one with a draw possible.
Naomh Muire Ahogfhill v Gort na Mona
7-00 Cloney
Ahoghill have suffered heavy defeats in their opening two games away to Creggan and at home to St. John’s but will see the visit of Gort na Mona as an opportunity to their campaign off the mark. The Enright Park side lost their opening game to Tir na nOg at Whitehill but will also view their visit to Ahoghill as an opportunity to get points on board but home advantage could swing it St. Mary’s way.
Division Two (6.45pm)
All Saint’s Ballymena v Kickham’s Ardoyne
All Saints have had a bad start in the league this term and although they have claimed a place in an Ulster league final they have failed to add a point thus far.
The Ballymena men are under the charge of the charismatic Liam ‘Baker’ Bradley and improvement can be expected.
Ardoyne are also in search of their opening points but this looks to be a stiff hurdle to cross as they travel to Quinn Park with a home win looking the likely result.
St Mary’s Rasharkin v Cuchullian’s Dunloy
Rasharkin following a smart win in their opening game, found the going tough in their second outing where they lost out to St Paul’s up in Belfast.
They will return to Dreen this time and welcome Dunloy in search of a better return for their efforts.
Dunloy, following a smart getaway with an opening win over the visiting Sarsfield’s failed to follow up in round two when they endured a reversal at Chapel Hill and they may well endure a similar fate here if Rasharkin can regain the positivity of their round one effort.
Con Magee’s Glenravel v St Ergnat’s Moneyglass
Joe Cassidy’s Glenravel had a good win in round two after an opening day defeat at the hands of Rasharkin.
The Glensmen proved far too good for the St Teresa’s last time and they will hope to retain that form here as they welcome old rivals Moneyglass to Fr. Maginn Park.
Moneyglass have started their 2022 campaign on the positive with a win over All Saints before proving too good for Sarsfields and they will travel in confidence.
Games between these two are usually close and there is no reason to suggest this latest encounter will differ in content with the visitors possibly nicking the points.
St Joseph’s Glenavy v St James Aldergrove
This is another local derby as Glenavy welcome their near neighbours Aldergrove to Chapel Hill in what promises to be a close fought encounter with the bragging rights of the parishes at stake.
Aldergrove have got off to a smart start this term and although anything can, and sometimes does happen in these games, the Crumlin men may take the points.
St Patrick’s Sarsfield’s v Michael Davitt’s
Davitt’s have started the campaign smartly and they will travel to meet Sarsfield’s at the ‘Bear Pit in a positive frame of mind.
They opened with a share of the spoils with St Paul’s before earning a full return when they proved too strong for Ardoyne.
Sarsfield’s have not been at their best in the opening stages of the league, losing their opening two games and they will look for a better return this time but an away win and another couple of points for the Davitt’s looks likely.
Division 3
7-30 Colaiste Feirste
Laochra Loch Lao v O’Donnell’s
O’Donnell’s have made an impressive start to their league campaign with two wins from two starts and should have too much for a Laochra Loch Lao side who have yet to gain a point this term and I would expect the MacRory Park side to take the win.