Division One [round one]
The opening games in the ‘new look’ football leagues for the season ahead are scheduled for Sunday 10th March with a full list of games in Division One.
The premier division now contains sixteen teams and will be played on a home and away basis before an end of season conclusion which will involve semi-finals and a final to determine league winners and relegation.
Relegation play offs will proceed prior to commencement of championship and will be played alongside league semi-finals and finals.
It was revealed at this week’s meeting of County Committee that last year’s minors will be available to play in senior competition this year at 18 as the result of a vote taken.
The division two and three programmes will commence in three of weeks-time, March 23rd.
Division One (round one)
O’Donavon Rossa v St Gall’s
An all City confrontation this as Rossa play the role of the hosts as they welcome St Gall’s to their Shaw’s road venue and a keenly contested affair is in prospect.
The home side be without the services of Stephen Beatty for this one as the Antrim man recovers from injury and their visitors are expected to give their hosts a run for their money.
The former Provincial and All Ireland club champions have struggled for a time but the Milltown residents have regained stride of late and will look to maintain such in this season.
A close affair is anticipated but ground advantage may well give advantage to Hugh Mc Gettigan’s men with a close win for the Rossa anticipated.
Erin’s Own Cargin v St Mary’s Ahoghill
This all country encounter sees Cargin play hosts to St Mary’s Ahoghill in Toome where Chris Mc Glone’s men will come up against the reigning county champions.
The Cloney men will travel as outsides but they are never to be underestimated in any situation and will look to cause major upset.
The St Mary’s men will certainly carry the badge of ‘no hopers’ into this one and although character aplenty resides within the red and black it is difficult to envisage anything other than a home win.
St John’s v All Saint’s Ballymena
It has been a while since the Johnnies have claimed silverware but the Corrigan residents are not to be underestimated at any time, particularly on their own Corrigan sod and they will be well prepared for the opening of the 2024 season as they welcome All Saints to the Whiterock road.
All Saint’s under the guidance of Liam Bradley over the past few years have been knocking at the door of success of late and will take the road to Corrigan in a positive mode although the odds do look against them.
The Johnnies under Aaron Douglas and Seamus O’ Prey will start this one in the role of warm favourites and although All Saint’s will strive to cause upset, anything other than a home win is difficult to envisage.
Tir na nOg v Lamh Dhearg
Tir na nOg did enjoy a fair season last term and with the services of Niall Jackman secured in the coaching department improvement may well be anticipated up at the Whitehill as they open their 2024 season playing hosts to Lamh Dhearg.
The Hannahs town men have a new man at the helm as former St Paul’s man Stephen Ramsey takes a grip of the tiller up at Hannahstown.
The Lamh’s will travel down to the South West division as firm favourites to take the full return of the points and although it may well not be as easy, the Hannahstown men may gain the victory.
Casement’s Portglenone v St James Aldergrove
A positive start to proceedings last term helped Casement’s to the league title and they have been working hard for a while in preparation so the Bannsider’s will hope for another positive start.
John Mc Keever still holds the reins and the arrival of former Derry man Enda into the fold and the return of big Michael Donnelly following a long term injury will most certainly aid the cause.
The Bannsider’s welcome the men from Aldergrove to their abode for the2024 opener and although St. James’ will be striving to cause upset a home win and a positive getaway for the reigning league champs is anticipated.
Kickham’s Creggan v St Ergnat’s Moneyglass
A local derby as Kickham’s Creggan welcome near neighbours and close rivals Moneyglass in this one which may well attract a good attendance to the Creggan venue.
Moneyglass struggled in the latter stages of the league last term and they will be forced to start their 2024 campaign without the services of a number of ‘regulars’ who have left for Australia.
Former player Benny Marron has taken the managerial role down at the Marian Hill and although he will look for a positive start to the season this looks a tough assignment and a win for Creggan looks likely.
Con Magees Glenravel v St Brigid’s
Glenravel return to the top grade following several years in exile and they face tough opponents in their opening game in division one as South Belfast St Brigid’s visit Fr. Maginn Park. The Glensmen have been knocking on the door of the top division for several years and should be ready for action and looking for a positive start.
St Brigid’s gained in momentum last term and aided by the arrival of several several new signings the South Belfast men only gave way to current senior champions Cargin in the latter stages of a closely fought championship semi-final.
The Mc Guckin brothers remain as management and they will lead their charges down to Glenravel seeking to a victory but the Glensmen may well have other ideas about that.
St Mary’s Aghagallon v St Enda’s
Glengormley based Sr Enda’s do owe the retention of their senior first division status to the alternation to the structures and the men from Glengormley will look for a positive 2024 campaign to ensure the retention of status as they open with a trip to Aghagallon.
St Enda’s will travel in search of a full return of points but that may well prove to be a difficult task for the men from Glengormley. Aghagallon got off to a positive start last term and if replicated again in 2024 should ensure a couple of home points may well be secured.