Football League Fixtures and Previews Wed 19th July
With Casement’s securing the division 1 title last weekend with a win over Creggan, the attention now switches to relegation issues with a number of clubs still fighting for division 1 survival and two of them set to drop to division 2 in 2024.
Only St. Johns in division 1B are secure but if Rossa can take something from their visit to Tir na nOg they look relatively safe and the winners of St Brigid’s and St.Gall’s at Milltown should find themselves in a similar position.
The meeting of bottom two Moneyglass and St Enda’s at Marian Hill is a must win for both sides and these two look favourites for the drop at present.
This is Moneyglass’ final fixture with the remaining candidates still with one more to play so all is not yet lost with that final round scheduled for Sunday 23d July
Division Two has been completed with Con Magees Glenravel having claimed the league title while Cuchullian’s Dunloy and St Patrick’s Lisburn are relegated to division 3.
In division three St Mary’s Rasharkin had an excellent 2023 season and held off the late challenge from Cardinal O’ Donnell’s to take their place back in the second grade for next season.
Wed 19th July
Division 1B
(all games 7.30pm)
Tir na nOg Randalstown v O’ Donovan Rossa
Tir na nOg have won two and drawn one of their last three games but despite picking up the pace of late still require points. The Randalstown side gained a full return from their last game at St Enda’s to move them onto 13 points but need something from the visit of Rossa.
Hugh Mc Gettigan’s Rossa enjoyed a good win last time over the visiting Moneyglass to give them a 15 point haul and close to safety and a point here would guarantee theirplace in the top grade next year.
This does look like a close one is in prospect with the points at stake sure to be keenly contested with Tir na nOg’s greater need possibly giving them the edge but a draw can’t be ruled out.
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v St Enda’s Glengormley
Having gained a place in the top grade by securing the division two title last term, Moneyglass are struggling to retain their place in division 1 following a great start to the season. Injuries have deprived them of key players lately and they have slipped into the bottom two, a place above their visitors, St. Enda’s.
St Enda’s are bottom of the division at present with just 10 points to their credit and the Glengormley men are swimming very much against the tide at the minute and in dire danger of losing their status.
Carl Mc Caigue’s charges have struggled this term after losing the services of Michael McNamee, Kristan Healey, and Eoghan Nagle and were without their trio of county players for most of the season.
A win is vital for both sides but even that may not be enough if results elsewhere go against them.
St Gall’s v St Brigid’s
Both the contestants in this one have 14 points but neither are safe yet and this game is certain to be fully contested as St Gall’s play hosts to St Brigid’s at Milltown.
Both will enjoy the advantage of home venues in their last league games and a couple of points from this one or even points shared would be helpful to their respective causes.
The Milltown men held the Johnnies to a draw last time out and such form would install them as favourites for this one.
St. Brigid’s are likely to push them all the way if they are at full strength however and a draw cannot be ruled out.