The football leagues are nearing completion with another round, in all of the three divisions scheduled for Wednesday evening 28th June.
Division One
Section A
Lamh Dhearg v Creggan (7.00pm)
This looks like a close one in prospect as Creggan travel to Hannahstown to meet Lamh Dhearg although both are probably out of range for the league title.
The home side and their visitors sit on 18 points apiece and with an eight point gap between them and the front running Casement’s pride would seem the only prize at stake.
Creggan lost to their neighbours Cargin on home turf last time and as they will travel hoping to get back to winning ways.
Both will be supplemented in personnel with a return of their respective Saffron representatives expected to return to club duties and ground advantage may well tip the balance in favour of the Hannahstown men.
Casement’s v Erin’s Own Cargin (7.30pm)
Casement’s are close to securing their first ever division one league title as they hold a four point lead over the chasing pack and safe in the knowledge that a win over Cargin will secure the title.
A win for the Toome men would see them bridge the gap to two and ensure John Mc Keever’s charges could not afford another reversal in their remaining fixtures and that should ensure a close encounter in Kelly Park.
Cargin will travel to Portglenone in a positive mode with all hands on board following a return from injury and county duty for some of their squad.
A close one is in prospect but ground advantage may well tip the balance in favour of the Casement’s men.
St Mary’s Ahoghill v St Mary’s Aghagallon (7.30pm)
Aghagallon enjoyed a good 2023 season to date but they have lost their way in recent times. A home defeat to Ahoghill a few weeks back was not anticipated by many but proved a setback for Aghagallon and they will travel to Clooney hoping to avenge that result.
Ahoghill enjoyed an excellent season to date and qualified for the top six before the cut-off.
A close one is anticipated in this one but ground advantage may well play a part with a home win possible.
Section B
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v St Brigid’s (7.30pm)
Moneyglass welcome St Brigid’s to Marian Hill as both the contestants strive for much needed points.
Both sides are far from secure in the retention of their division 1 status with Moneyglass a couple of points ahead of their visitors who have a game in hand.
St Ergnat’s with 14 points to date have suffered a couple of recent reversals and a win would certainly aid their survival chances but their opponents are in the same position.
St. Brigid’s should have a number of county panellists back in action but ground advantage may possibly aid the St Ergnat’s cause
O’Donovan Rossa v St John’s
With 16 points, the Johnnies lead division 1B and look well out of the relegation issue as they travel to Shaw’s road to meet their keen rivals O’ Donovan Rossa.
The home side have only 11 points to date and are involved in one of the tightest battles for years to avoid the drop and they will be striving to add another couple here.
The rivalry which exists between these two is legendary and the situation as it exists will ensure another hard fought encounter between this pairing.
St John’s will travel with confidence but ground advantage may well aid Rossa to the win and a welcome couple of points.
(7.30pm)
Tir na nOg v St Gall’s (7.30pm)
This meeting of Tir na nOg and St Gall’s at Whitehill should be close with the points at stake of equal importance to both the contestants.
Both sides have 10 points and in the penultimate fixture of the season the points at stake there is little room for a slip up.
Tir na nOg had a good win over Moneyglass last time and will hope to build on that win as the Milltown men visit Whitehill.
Another close one in prospect but with home advantage Tir na n|Og can build on last week’s win.
Division Two
Section A
All Saint’s Ballymena v St James Aldergrove (7.45pm)
This one looks a likely candidate for ‘match of the evening’ as All Saint’s host fellow promotion chasers Aldergrove in a fixture which will attract a big attendance to Ballymena.
The home side could only manage a draw against the visiting Davitt’s last time out and cannot afford another slip and even a win may not be enough to give them the title.
They meet a St James side which has picked up the pace recently and, like their hosts are in contention for the title.
Both sides will have their ears to the ground, hoping that league leaders Glenravel slip at Davitt’s. If that were to happen then a win for either could secure the title and this one could go either way.
Michael Davitt’s v Con Magees Glenravel (7.45pm)
Davitt’s are capable of mixing it with the best in this division as a recent draw with Ballymena pays testament and they are capable of causing visitors, Glenravel problems but the Con Magee’s have one foot already in division 1 for next season and anything other than an away win would be a major upset.
Gort na Mona v Glenavy
This looks another hard one to call as Gort na Mona welcome Glenavy to Enright Park with both safe in the top six but out of contention for promotion. Both sides have 14 points but the home side will start as slight favourites and may gain the win.
Section B
St Teresa’s v Patrick Sarsfield’s (7.45pm)
Sarsfield’s have shown good form in this section and are well clear of the relegation zone with 16 points and the ‘Bear Pit’ residents will look to increase their tally in this one as they travel up to the Glen road to meet St Teresa’s.
St Teresa’s have 14 points are also well clear of the relegation issue and will be hoping for another brace of points.
St Teresa’s will look to add to their tally and with pride the only issue here they may well gain the verdict.
St Paul’s v Cuchullian’s Dunloy (7.45pm)
Having endured a poor season, reigning Intermediate champions Dunloy have gained in stride of late.
It has come too late to save their division 2 status however and pride will be the motivating factor if they are to take anything from this game.
St Paul’s have had a poor season by their own standards but have shown recent improvement and with home advantage could collect the points from this one.
Kickham’s Ardoyne v St Patrick’s Lisburn (7.45pm)
Kickham’s Ardoyne have enjoyed a quite productive season and have 14 points to date and have secured division 2 status for next season as they play hosts to St Patrick’s.
The Lisburn men have endured a poor return for their efforts this term and they are set to return to division 3 in 2024. Division Three (all games at
7.30pm)
Patrick Pearses v St Agnes
Patrick Pearses have enjoyed a productive 2023 season and with 24 points they can be pleased with a top three finish for the season.
St Agnes have 12 points to date but Pearses should take the points at Woodlands.
Wolfe Tones v St Malachy’s
St Malachy’s had a good 2022 season but have struggled this term but the men from the Markets should shade this one as they face a Wolfe Tones side who will have benefited from a first season in the Antrim leagues.
St Mary’s Rasharkin v Cardinal O’ Donnell’s
St Mary’s Rasharkin have remained unbeaten in 2023 harvesting an impressive 30 points along the way.
MacRory Park side, Cardinal O’ Donnell’s have stayed hot on the heels of their country cousins and a win here would keep their outside chances of the title alive but Rasharkin should have too much for them in Dreen.
St Comgall’s Antrim v Eire Og
St Comgall’s did not fare as well in league proceedings as last term but with 17 points to date they have enjoyed a fair season and they may well add another brace of points in this one as Eire Og visit.