Football League Fixtures and Previews – Wed 5th July
The league is nearing conclusion, and indeed Division Two is already completed with Con Magee’s regaining their place back in the top grade as division 2 league champions but things are not so good for St Patricks Lisburn and Cuchullian’s Dunloy.
The Lisburn side struggled this term and make the drop back to division 3 for 2024 and will be joined by Dunloy whose revival came too late to save their division 2 status and the reigning Intermediate champions join St. Patrick’s in the bottom grade for next season.
Division One remains undecided with a couple of teams still in contention whilst the relegation issue looks like going down to the final day of the season with a number of teams involved in the fight for survival.
Division 1A (7.30 pm)
Erin’s Own Cargin v Lamh Dhearg
Cargin made a slow start to the season and lost to Wednesday evening’s opponents at Hannastown in the first phase of the league but have put a strong run together and currently sit in second place, just two points behind Portglenone.
A win over the pace setting Casement’s last time out secured that second place berth and the Toome men do seem to be in a good place at the moment.
Ronan Devlin’s charges will be aiming for another win to keep the pressure on the league leaders and this does look an attractive fixture which may well attract a good attendance to Toome.
Lamh Dhearg recorded a good win last time with a 2-09 to 1-08 victory over the visiting Creggan and they will travel down to Toome in a positive mode.
A good game is in prospect but ground advantage may well play a part and a win for the Cargin men looks probable.
St Marys Ahoghill v Casement’s Portglenone
This one could be the match of the day as St Mary’s Ahoghill play hosts to their close neighbours as Casement’s visit Clooney.
John Mc Keever’s side have led the division from flag fall but they suffered a setback when they lost to the visiting Cargin last time out but a first league title remains very much in their own hands.
Chris Mc Glone’s Ahoghill side have enjoyed a good 2023 to qualify for a place in 1A with some excellent results, particularly at home, and although out of the running for league honours they will relish the opportunity to get one over on Wednesday night’s visitors.
A big attendance at Clooney is expected for this one and a close hard fought encounter is very much anticipated.
Casement’s will start as favourites in the knowledge that a full return of the points will take them a step closer to the league title and may just have enough to get them over the line and keep their league hopes alive.
St Mary’s Aghagallon v Kickham’s Creggan
Reigning league champions Kickham’s Creggan have been hampered by a lengthy injury list this term but they have started to get it together lately but lost last time out at Lamh Dhearg.
Aghagallon were beaten county finalists last term, have remained close to the pace setting Casement’s for much of the season but have suffered a couple of reverses.
The return of their county players has strengthened their hand and they recorded a good win over Ahoghill last time out and they may record another victory here.
Division 1B
The battle for survival in division 1 is even more intense than the one at the top with all the division 1B fixtures of vital importance to the participating sides.
St. Enda’s v Tir na nOg
A close one in prospect here as St Enda’s play hosts to the visiting Whitehill men with the points at stake vital for both as they fight for survival in the top division.
Tir na nOg hold a one point lead over their hosts but St. Enda’s have a game in hand and a win for either in this one may well aid survival.
St Enda’s are bottom of the table with 10 points and this one should be close and keenly contested with ground advantage and the return to duty of their county men possibly tilting the balance in favour of the Hightown side.
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v St Galls
Another close one in prospect here as Moneyglass play hosts to St Gall’s with the points at stake again of vital importance to both the contestants.
Moneyglass do have a point advantage over their visitors and a home win would prove invaluable as St Ergnat’s fight to hold on to their place in the top grade.
A few games remain to complete the quota but points at this juncture are vital in the fight for survival and ground advantage may well aid the St Ergnat’s cause this time with a home win possible.
St. John’s v St. Brigid’s
With 16 points to date, St John’s look safe in the top grade for another season and they will hope to add another couple here from the visit of St Brigid’s.
The Musgrave Park side have struggled for much of the season and have only 12 points to date but have shown recent improvement though they are still immersed in the fight for survival.
The return of their county panellists will certainly aid the St. Brigid’s cause and this one could be close with a draw not to be ruled out.
Division Three (7.30pm)
St Malachy’s v St Mary’s Rasharkin
Despite losing to O’ Donnell’s last time out, Rasharkin still look favourites for the division three league title and promotion.
The South West side cannot afford any further slip ups however and they will travel to Belfast in search of a full return of the points on offer.
St. Malachy’s are capable but have struggled to make impact this term and a win for St Mary’s is anticipated.
Eire Og V Wolfe Tones
Wolfe Tones have struggle to get it together this term and they will hope for improvement in this one as they travel to meet Eire Og.
Eire Og are more than capable of better than produced this term and they are fully expected to gain a full return of the points in this one.
Cardinal O’ Donnell’s v Patrick Pearses
O’Donnell’s put themselves firmly back in the race for honours with a great win down in Dreen last week-end and move one ahead of Rasharkin at the top of the table but Rasharkin have a game in hand.
A good result for the Whiterock Road side and with Rasharkin close behind they need to keep on winning as Patrick Pearses visit MacRory Park.
Na Piarsaigh have remained close to the top of the table with 26 points and currently sit in third place but they remain a few points in arrears of the top of the pile and a top three finish seems the best they can achieve.
This may well be a close one but with ground advantage a win for O’ Donnell’s looks the likely result.
Laochra Loch Lao v St Comgall’s Antrim
Naomh Comhghall won the corresponding fixture at Dunsilly earlier in the season and on their day are a match for anybody in the division but have been very inconsistent this season.
Irish Language side, Laochra Loch Lao have shown continued improvement since entering the league a few seasons back and with home advantage may take the points from this one.