Wed 15th June
Another round of the football leagues Division One and Two are down for decision on Wednesday evening.
Groupings in the A section in both the divisions are competing in search of the respective league titles with those in the B section looking to avoid the relegation issue.
Wed 15th June (all games at 7.45pm)
Division One A
St John’s v Lamh Dhearg
With both the Johnnies and their visitors Lamh Dearg having lagged too far adrift of the front runners to have aspirations on silverware, preparation for the championship and a matter of pride is only at stake in this one.
The home side opened their account in this second phase with a victory over Rossa and they will hope for a repeat from the visit of Lamh Dhearg.
Lamh Dhearg sit a place above their hosts and although they failed to get the better of Cargin last time they out they are more than capable of better. Ground advantage may well aid the Corrigan men to a win.
Kickham’s Creggan v Erin’s Own Cargin
Creggan beat their keen rivals in Toome and will hope to complete the double on Wednesday night which would put them in a strong position going into the final few games.
Cargin will still be smarting following their demise at the hands of their near neighbours in last year’s senior championship and in this year’s league opener and the Toome men have been in good recent form.
They impressed last time with a good win over the visiting Lamh Dhearg and sit just two points behind Wednesday night’s hosts.
This one is certain to attract a big attendance to the Staffordstown Road with a close encounter in prospect and ground advantage may well tilt the balance in favour of the Kickham’s but this one could go either way with a draw a distinct possibility.
Casement’s Portglenone v O’ Donovan Rossa
Having started the season well and topping the table for a time, John McKeever’s Casement’s side have been knocked out of stride of late.
They remained unbeaten for the first half of the season but a last round defeat up at Creggan made it three defeats in the second half of their league programme and they will hope to get back to winning ways when Rossa visit.
Rossa are more than capable but Hugh Mc Gettigan has lost the services of several of his first team players recently and positive results are proving difficult.
They did give the Johnnies a run for their money on Sunday last before going down by a few points but this does look another tough assignment for Rossa and a home win looks probable.
Division One B
St Mary’s Ahoghill v St Mary’s Aghagallon
Only a point separates this duo in the ratings and points are essential for both the contestants as St Mary’s Ahoghill with seven points in the locker play hosts to St Mary’s Aghagallon who have a point more.
The home side recorded an eye opening 2-12 to 1-10 victory up at Aghagallon a couple of weeks ago and they will look for a similar return on their own sod.
Last year’s beaten county finalists Aghagallon have been hit by injuries lately and have struggled as a result with a place in division one looking in jeopardy.
They were well beaten by the visiting Lamh Dhearg last time and will travel down the Cloney hoping for a win.
The points at stake in this one are a valuable commodity for the contestants and the present climate would suggest a home win is probable unless the visitors regain lost composure.
St Brigid’s v Gort na Mona
St Brigid’s have struggled to gain a win recently but there is no doubting the fact that they are capable of better.
The Musgrave men were beaten on at home on Sunday by St Enda’s and they will seek better this time as they play hosts to Gort na Mona.
The Gorts having languished at the bottom of the league all season but have gained in momentum of late and a couple of recent wins has provided a spark of hope to what looked a dying embers.
They enjoyed a good win over the visiting Ahoghill last time and the Enright park residents will travel to Musgrave seeking another brace of points in their search for survival.
An intriguing contest in prospect but St Brigid’s will start as warm favourites and ground advantage should aid them to victory.
St Enda’s v St Gall’s
Both these contestants look relatively safe with the Glengormley men on12 points and St Gall’s just a point in arrears.
Both impressed in their recent outings with the Glengormley men taking a full return of the points at Musgrave Park while St Galls gained a 1-11 to 2-06 win over the visiting Randalstown men.
St Enda’s will start as favourites and although the Milltown men will travel in a positive mood a home win does look probable.
Division Two A
St Paul’s v St Ergnat’s Moneyglass
Moneyglass have been the team to beat this year and the St Ergnat’s men are within touching distance of a place back in the top division.
They travel to St. Paul’s in this one five points ahead of the pack and a win or even a draw would edge them ever closer to the prize.
St Paul’s have enjoyed an excellent season and sit third in the table at present and although they are seven points behind their visitors they will not give up the ghost just yet.
The Shaw’s road men will certainly be up for this one but although they will test the resolve of their South West visitors they may come up short with the St Ergnat’s men given the nod.
All Saint’s Ballymena v Michael Davitt’s
All Saint’s took a time to get it together this term but the Ballymena side have been going well recently and sit in second place at present. They are back on familiar turf again this time as they play hosts to Michael Davitt’s and will be hoping for a 7th win in succession.
Davitt’s started the season well but recent results have conspired to suggest they have lost sight of the major prize.
They have enjoyed a good year and although the league title does look out of reach they will give their hosts a run for their money but a home win looks likely.
Con Magee’s Glenravel v Kickham’s Ardoyne
Con Magees have enjoyed a good season thus far but they are well adrift of a promotion place.
Joe Cassidy has a young panel at his disposal and the Glensmen face another test in this one as they play hosts to Ardoyne.
Ardoyne have gained in stature as the season has progressed and they did well to make the top six following a less than impressive start to the season.
Visit’s to Fr Maginn Park are never easy however and the home side will start as firm favourites to gain the points.
Division Two B
Patrick Sarsfield’s v St James Aldergrove
Aldergrove started the season amongst the favourites for honours but the Crumlin men have proved inconcistant to date.
They failed to make the top six but when in the mood the Aldergrove men are a match for any in this grade.
Sarsfield’s have run into a rich vein of form as they battle to avoid relegation and this does look like a close one but the Paddies may well gain the points.
St Mary’s Rasharkin v St James Glenavy
Rasharkin have struggled recently and the Dreen men need a win if they are to move up the table.
The St Mary’s men sit second from bottom and urgently require the points if they are to haul themselves out of danger as they play hosts to Glenavy.
Glenavy sit three points ahead of their hosts and a win here would go a long way to keeping them safe and another close one is expected but ground advantage could tip the balance in favour of the home side.
St Teresa’s v Cuchullian’s Dunloy
A win at Rasharkin lifted the spirits of St. Teresa’s last time out though they still sit bottom of the table. That four point win at Dreen was a good result for the Glen road side and should put them in good spirit as Dunloy visit.
Dunloy are more than capable of matching it with the best in the division but the home side’s needs are much greater than their hosts and this may well ensure a home win.