The opening round of the under-20 football championship is down for decision for Saturday, 29th and Sunday the 30th of October.
This will be the last competition of the season with the U20 championship divided into two grades, A and B.
Sat 29th Oct (all games at 3.00pm)
Section A
O’ Donavon Rossa v St Ergnat’s Moneyglass
Moneyglass served notice of their ability in one of the few fixtures fulfilled in the Ill-fated league programme with a win over Cargin in the early stages of the competition.
They recorded draws against Aghagallon and All Saints before losing heavily to St. Brigid’s but with the experience of those four outings behind them they will start as favourites against Rossa, who saw no league action.
The Shaw’s road side are very much an unknown quality but they are always more than capable and most of Saturday’s lineout will have seen action with their U20 hurlers recently. Moneyglass will start as favourites however and the St Ergnat’s lads may well claim a spot in the semi-final.
All Saint’s Ballymena v Erin’s Own Cargin
Ballymena based All Saint’s shook off the cobwebs following a long term absence from competition when they played hosts to St Brigid’s last week in the league programme.
All Saints were beaten by competition favourites St. Brigid’s but will have benefited from the run out as they welcome Cargin to Quinn Park.
The Erin’s Own men should be strong in this grade and Brian McCann will have some of the senior championship squad to call upon if required.
The home side are certain to give their visitors a run for their money but the Toome men may well gain a semi-final place.
St. Gall’s v St Brigid’s
This looks a close one as St. Gall’s welcome St. Brigid’s to Milltown and despite no outings in the league the home side should be descent. St. Gall’s had a good minor side a couple of years ago and some of them have graduated to the senior panel and with home advantage they are likely to pose a strong challenge
St Brigid’s have played a couple of league games and have looked strong in those two wins over St. Ergnat’s and All Saints and although they will be asked questions by St. Gall’s they may just gain the verdict and a place in the semi-final.
St James Aldergrove v St Mary’s Aghagallon
Aldergrove play hosts to St Mary’s Aghagallon in this one and the visitors will arrive in Crumlin with a very creditable draw away to Moneyglass in the league under their belts.
They opened their account with a nine point winning margin victory over Con Magee’s in a preliminary round victory in Aghagallon and will hope to carry thast good form into Saturday’s game against St James’.
Aldergrove with ground advantage will not go down without a fight but St Mary’s will start as firm favourites and they may well gain the verdict.
Section B
Creggan Kickham’s
Tir na nOg Randalstown v Lamh Dhearg
Tir na nOg recorded a big win over Dunloy in one of the few games played in division 2 of the U20 football league while Lamh Dhearg will travel to Whitehill as something of an unknown quantity. Home advantage may well be a deciding factor with the Whitehill men given a tentative vote.
Sunday 30th October 2.30pm
St Patrick’s Lisburn v Casement’s Portglenone
The home side have opened account in this competition with a victory over the visiting Rasharkin but this looks a more difficult one as Casements visit Kirkwood Park.
Portglenone will start as favourites and they may well gain the verdict.
3-15 Colaiste Feirste
Patrick Sarsfield’s v St Joseph’s Glenavy
Sarsfields had a more than useful minor side a couple of years ago, giving the eventual winners Cargin a run for their money in the 2019 semi-final before going down by a couple of points.
The Paddies will be contenders in this competition if they have retained the nucleus of that 2019 squad, and in such event they may well gain the verdict at Colaiste Feirste.