Northern Switchgear Senior Football Championship Previews – Sat 27th August/Sunday 28th
By Geordie McGuckin
The last games in the ‘round robin’ phase of the senior championship scheduled for the week-end, with a single fixture on Saturday afternoon and the remainder to complete on Sunday.
Group One
St John’s v Kickham’s Creggan (6.00pm)
County champions Creggan lay their title on the line in the ‘game of the round’ when they travel up the Whiterock Road to Corrigan Park to cross swords with St John’s.
The champions will retun to the venue where they bridged a 67 year gap last season by beating Agahagallon in the final. However they go in the knowledge that a win, or even a draw, will secure a place in the quarter final stage while defeat would end their reign.
The home side will play hosts to their country cousins also sure of their requirement of a full return of the points available if they are to make the last eight at the expense of their visitors.
A huge test for both with defeat causing exit from the championship trail for both will bring a big attendance to the famous old stadium.
The stakes could not be higher in this one and although the Kickham’s will start as favourites they will need to be at their very best to secure passage at the expense of a focused Johnnies on their own patch.
Sat 27th August
Group One
St Gall’s v Lamh Dhearg (6.00pm)
With St Gall’s having endured defeat in both of their games to date the Milltown men will play hosts to Lamh Dhearg in this one in the knowledge that only pride will be at stake as the Hannahstown men visit.
Lamh Dhearg lead the way in the group and barring extraordinary circumstances they are destined for a spot in the quarter finals, and the question who will join them when St Johns play hosts to defending champions Creggan at Corrigan on Sunday evening.
The Hannahstown men will start as firm favourites and although the home side are more than capable of giving their visitors a run for their money an away win does look probable.
Sunday 28th August
Group Two
St Mary’s Ahoghill v St Brigid’s (2.00pm)
Having failed to gain a positive return from their games to date on the championship trail Ahoghill will be more than keen to add a victory here as St Brigid’s visit Cloney.
St Brigid’s, with a nine point victory secured from their assignment against Moneyglass, entertain hopes of securing a quarter final berth as they take to trip down to Cloney.
The South Belfast side with a superior points difference over the St Ergnat’s men will travel safe in the knowledge that a positive return will ensure passage and although that will not be gifted to them by their hosts St Brigid’s may gain a hard earned verdict.
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v Casement’s Portglenone (2.00pm)
With back to back wins gained in their games to date Casement’s have already secured a place in the quarter finals when they travel up to Moneyglass for their last assignment as firm favourites.
John Mc Keever’s men have impressed thus far in the season and with a place in the quarter final stages already secured they will look to remain unbeaten with victory at Marian Hill.
Moneyglass having secured promotion to the top grade for 2023 gained a win over Ahoghill in this group and they will not be found wanting in effort as the Bannsider’s come a calling.
Casement’s will travel as firm favourites and although the home side will not be lacking in effort a win for the visitors looks probable.
Group Three
O’ Donovan Rossa v Erin’s Own Cargin (2.00pm)
With an opening round win gained over St Enda’s in this three team section Cargin will travel to west Belfast knowing they are already in the quarter finals
Rossa having drawn with St Enda’s, the other team in this group will play hosts to the Toome men in the knowledge that anything less than a five point defeat will secure passage to the next phase.
The Shaw’s road side will know what is required if they are to make the last eight and although they will fully test to resolve of their visitors Cargin may well prove as a tough nut to crack.