Football League Fixtures & Previews Sunday 9th July
The destination of the football league division 1 will be decided this Sunday when league leaders, Casement’s Portglenone host Kickham’s Creggan. A win for the Ports, or even a draw would give them the title for the first time. Defeat and a win for Cargin over St. Mary’s Ahoghill would hand it to the Toome side.
In division 1B competition is even more intense with the battle to avoid relegation likely to go down to the final game of the season and a number of key games in that section down for decision on Sunday.
Glenravel have already secured the division 2 title with a win away to Davitt’s last weekend and last night (Friday) St. Mary’s Rasharkin secured the division 3 title with a resounding win over Eire Og at Dreen.
Division 1A
All games at 2.00pm
Casement’s Portglenone v Kickham’s Creggan
Most certainly the ‘match of the day’ as the division one League champions and the custodians of the Eddie Fitzsimmons memorial trophy visit Portglenone to play the present league leaders, Casement’s who are chasing their first division one title.
John Mc Keever’s side lead the race in division 1 and they will start as favourites to gain at least the point they need to claim the title.
They have been excellent for much of the season and before an anticipated big home attendance they should gain the day.
Creggan have suffered a litany of injuries this term but they are likely to provide the home side with a stiff test.
A close one is anticipated but circumstances will ensure Casement’s will start as favourites with a full return of the points enough to ensure the division one league title.
Erin’s Own Cargin v St Mary’s Ahoghill
Cargin look set to pounce should Portglenone slip and should get the result they need against visitors Ahoghill were that to happen. They currently sit in second place, two points behind the Casement’s and will be hoping the old enemy, Creggan can do them a good turn at Kelly Park.
If that were to happen and Cargin were to defeat Ahoghill then the Toome side’s better return in the head to head with Portglenone would hand them the title.
Cargin will start this one as firm favourites and although their visitors will prove as lively adversaries a home win does look likely.
Lamh Dhearg v St Mary’s Aghagallon
This one is a dead rubber with nothing but pride to play for as last year’s beaten senior championship finalists, Aghagallon take the trip up to Hannahstown to cross swords with Lamh Dhearg.
The Lamhs gave Cargin a run for their money last time when they travelled down to Toome and they will look forward to this one as Aghagallon visit Hannastown
St Mary’s have had a fairly good season and recorded some excellent wins which included a victory at Toome and a good win over Creggan and they never lack in confidence on their travels.
A lively contest looks in prospect with both sides able to call on the services of their county continent and although Lamh Dhearg will start as favourites honours may well be divided with a draw a possible outcome.
Division One B
St Gall’s v St John’s
St. John’s just missed out in a place in 1A at the cut and presently lead 1B and are well clear of the battle to avoid relegation. A good start to life in the B section from the Corrigan residents has continued and with 18 points at present they are well clear of danger as they visit Milltown.
St Gall’s gave their survival chances a major boost with a win over Moneyglass at Marian Hill last Wednesday night and they will look forward to the visit of neighbours St. John’s with confidence.
St. John’s defeated St. Brigid’s at Corrigan on the same night to add to the Musgrave Park side’s worries and they will give nothing away easily to their neighbours at Milltown but St. Gall’s greater need may be enough to swing it in favour of the home side.
O’Donovan Rossa v St Ergnat’s Moneyglass
Moneyglass lost to a strong finishing St Galls at Marian Hill last time out and this looks a tough assignment as they travel to Shaw’s Road to play Rossa.
Hugh Mc Gettigan’s Rossa are also involved in the relegation battle despite some good results this term.
They sit a point above their visitors with a game in hand and a win here would leave them relatively safe.
Moneyglass have been hit with injuries in recent weeks and have slipped down the table but will give nothing away easily but home advantage should swing this one in Rossa’s favour.
St Brigid’s v St Enda’s Glengormley
Both sides lost on Wednesday night with St. Enda’s taking a hammering at home to Tir na nOg and St. Brigid’s falling to St. John’s at Corrigan Park.
St Enda’s were without injured county men, Peter Healey and James McAuley and really struggled against the Whitehill men despite the best efforts of Odhran Eastwood and Joe Caskey.
If the Musgrave Park side can field anywhere close to full strength then they should win this one and plunge Naomh Eanna a step closer to relegation.
Division Three
St Comgall’s Antrim v St Agnes
Nothing really to play for in this one as St Comgall’s, who have gained in stride lately, play hosts to the Aggies with a home win on the cards.
Wolfe Tones v Laochra Loch Lao
Laochra Loch Lao have enjoyed a good 2023 season and they may well add another couple of points in this one as they travel to take on Wolfe Tones.
St Malachy’s v Cardinal O’ Donnell’s
With the division 3 league decided on Friday night with Rasharkin’s win over Eire Og, O’Donnell’s should take the points here to finish a point behind the Dreen side in second place but will already have one eye on the Junior Championship after losing to Pearses in last year’s final.