Prime time viewing this week-end for football fixtures with games scheduled in all of the divisions, on Sunday 7th May with one exception.
St Enda’s will play hosts to St Gall’s on Saturday evening 6th May with a throw in time of 7.30 pm.
Teams will once again be forced to field without their county players and this will affect some teams more than others and could have a major bearing on the outcome of games
Saturday 6th May at 7.30 pm
Division One
St Enda’s v St Gall’s (7.30 pm)
Having enjoyed success in their penultimate start with a win over Cargin Glengormley based St Enda’s failed to follow that up on their next assignment at Randalstown.
The Hightown side fell to Tir na nOg in that one, losing to the Randalstown side by four points at conclusion and they will hope to go one better here as they welcome St Gall’s.
St Gall’s have proved a bit erratic in 2023, losing back to back games to Ahoghill and Moneyglass and they will travel up to Glengormley seeking a change of fortune.
St. Enda’s will again be without their county contingent and they will do well do get anything against a St. Gall’s team who have lost narrowly in their previous two games and will be keen to get back to winning ways.
Sunday 7th May
Division One (all games at 4.30 pm
St Brigid’s v Erin’s Own Cargin
St Brigid’s had a bad start to the season but have shown a lot of improvement since with wins over St. John’s and Rossa. They gave league leaders Casement’s a run for their money last time out before going down by a goal at Quinn Park.
Cargin have suffered back to back defeats to St Enda’s and Aghagallon in their last two games and will travel to Musgrave Park in need of a win.
This may should be a close one but the reigning county champions may well come out on top.
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v Lamh Dhearg
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass have settled well to life in division 1 with four wins to date and have turned in some solid performances.
They gained a full return of points with a 4-04 to 0-15 win at Milltown last time out and they will return to Marian Hill for the visit of Lamh Dhearg.
Lamh Dearg took a time to get going this year but have recorded wins Creggan and Ahoghill recently and they will hope to make it three wins on the trot at Moneyglass.
A close one looks in prospect in this one and although the experienced Lamh’s will start as firm favourites ground advantage could swing it St Ergnat’s way.
St Mary’s Ahoghill v Kickham’s Creggan
Ahoghill play hosts to Kickham’s at Clooney in this one and the home side have impressed at home this season. Division 1 title holders, Creggan, have struggled this season and lost to Lamh Dhearg last time and they will travel to Ahoghill hoping to get a much needed win under their belts.
A close game looks is in prospect and although Creggan will start as slight favourites they will face a stiff challenge in this one.
O’ Donovan Rossa v Casement’s Portglenone
With only one defeat to date Casement’s have been impressive this year and currently top the division 1 table.
They proved too strong for the visiting St Brigid’s last time and will travel to Belfast to meet Hugh Me Gettigan’s Rossa, seeking to retain top spot.
Rossa have just two wins to date but came back strongly to draw with St. John’s at Corrigan on Wednesday night and will take a lot of confidence from that result.
Casement’s will travel with confidence but although the South West side are going well at the moment they will be given a run for their money by the city men.
St Mary’s Aghagallon v Tir na nOg Randalstown
Aghagallon maintained their recent good run when a late Gareth Magee goal earned them a win in Toome and confidence will be high as they welcome the Randalstown men.
Tir na nOg enjoyed a confidence lifting victory over the visiting St Enda’s last time and that win should give them confidence as they travel to Aghagallon in search of further points.
That was the second win to date for the Whitehill side but they will face a stiff test against an Aghagallon team who currently sit second in the league and will start this one as firm favourites.
Division Two
11.00am
Gort na Mona v Cuchullian’s Dunloy
Gort na Mona were relegated from division 1 last year and after a bright start in division 2 seem to have lost their way somewhat. They welcome Dunloy to Enright Park and will see this as an opportunity to get back to winning ways
as the reigning Intermediate champions have struggled this term.
Dunloy are still in search of their first win of the present season and may find it difficult to achieve it on this occasion.
All Saint’s Ballymena v St Teresa’s
All Saints have been handicapped in previous seasons to a poor start but
Liam ‘Baker’ Bradleyhas had them ready for action early this term and the Ballymena men top the ratings with an unbeaten record to date as they play hosts to St Teresa’s.
The Glen Road side have recorded a number of good wins this year including one against Glenavy last time out but will do well to get anything from their trip to Ballymena.
Patrick Sarsfield’s v St Patrick’s Lisburn
Lisburn are struggling in division 2 this year following last year’s promotion and the St Patrick’s men will face another stiff as they travel to a meeting with Sarsfield’s.
Sarsfield’s have enjoyed but a couple of wins to date but the Bear Pit residents are capable of improvement and they will start this one as firm favourites to gain a positive return.
Michael Davitt’s v St Paul’s
St Paul’s recorded their first win at home to Gort na Mona last time out and the Shaw’s road side will seek to build on that performance as they travel to meet Michael Davitt’s.
Davitt’s are more than capable when in the mood but they have slipped in recent outings.They have recorded three wins and two draws from seven starts and they may well gain at least a share of the spoils in this one.
Kickham’s Ardoyne v Con Magees Glenravel 4-30
Ardoyne side have enjoyed mixed fortunes this term and following a good win at Lisburn last time they return to Fennell Park for the visit of Glenravel.
Con Magee’s have been in good form this season and retain a top four spot at the moment.
Joe Cassidy’s men are capable of challenging for honours in this grade and they look capable of edging this one but Ardoyne can be difficult to beat at home.
St Joseph’s Glenavy v St James Aldergrove-4-30
This is a local derby as Glenavy welcome their near neighbours and keen rivals St James Aldergrove Chapel Hill where a good crowd is anticipated.
Nothing separated this duo in the ratings with both berthed on 10 points but Aldergrove have played three games less and are unbeaten to date.
Ground advantage may well tip the balance in favour of Glenavy but a share of the spoils is a possibility.
Division Three
All games 11.00am
St Agnes v St Comgall’s Antrim
St Comgall’s emerged from a barren spell to record a good win over the visiting Laochra Loch Lao last time and they will travel to Belfast to meet St. Agnes hoping to build on that performance and another win looks likely.
Laochra Loch Lao v Wolfe Tones
Laochra Loch Lao saw their winning streak come to an end at Antrim last time b ut they should return to winning ways as they welcome Wolfe Tones to Colaiste Feirste.
Cardinal O’ Donnell’s v St Malachy’s
O’ Donnell’s impressed last time with a good win over a fancied Pearses and they will play host to the men from the ‘Markets’ this time with ground advantage likely to see them add another win.