The mid-week setting continues in the football leagues with round down for decision on Wednesday evening 15th May with games scheduled in all of the divisions.
Division One (all games at 7.15 pm)
All Saint’s Ballymena v Erin’s Own Cargin
Cargin are unbeaten in the league to date and travel to Ballymena in this latest assignment where they will cross swords with All Saints in what looks a testing assignment for the Toome men against an in form All Saints side.
The Ballymena men have returned to the top grade this term and have recorded four wins in their seven outings to date but this does look a difficult one for Liam Bradley’s side.
They gained a good victory over the visiting Aldergrove last time but Cargin represent a step up in class and they will do well to get anything from the reigning county champion’s visit.
Cargin have done more than well in the league thus far, without the loss of a point to date and Ronan Devlin will most likely take opportunity to ‘rest’ regulars in this one but the Toome men will be keen to retain that winning habit.
All Saint’s will give it their best shot without their county contingent but Cargin will start as firm favourites and an away win and another couple of points for the in-form visitors looks the likely result.
O’ Donovan Rossa v Casement’s Portglenone
The reigning league champions Casement’s Portglenone have started the 2024 campaign well and are unbeaten to date and they will travel to the Shaw’s Road to meet Rossa in search of a 7th win.
Rossa have been a tad unpredictable in their games to date but Hugh Mc Gettigan’s men, who were well beaten on their trip down to Creggan last time are more than capable of better especially on their own sod.
A close one may well be in prospect but although the home side are certainly more than capable of getting the better of any visitors to their patch a win for John Mc Keever’s side does look the safest bet.
St Gall’s v Lamh Dhearg
St Gall’s started their league campaign positively with five wins on the bounce but have lost their last two games to Casements and Tir na nOg.
St Gall’s are at home again this time as they welcome Lamh Dhearg to Milltown and will be hoping to get back to winning ways against a Hannastown side with only one win and two draws to date.
Lamh Dhearg will travel to Milltown in search of a second victory but the current climate would suggest another couple of points may well be the reward for the home side.
Con Magee’s Glenravel v Kickham’s Creggan
Con Magee’s await their first win in division 1 as they play hosts to Kickham’s Creggan but a close encounter is possible in this one.
The Con Magee’s have suffered because of the unavailability of their county players and have only one point on the table, following a draw with Ahoghill at the start of April.
Kickham’s took a time to get going this but back to back wins over Ahoghill and Rossa would suggest they have turned the corner and although the home side will give this one their all an away win does look the probable verdict.
St Brigid’s v St James Aldergrove
St Brigid’s have enjoyed a good season to date and are undefeated thus far and the Musgrave residents share the lead with the similarly undefeated Cargin and Casement’s.
Aldergrove have struggled to make impact in the top division to date and the Crumlin men really need to pick up the pace if they are to retain their place in division one.
Aldergrove will travel to Musgrave intent on giving this one their best but St Brigid’s will start as firm favourites and they should gain a full return of the points.
St Enda’s Glengormley v St Ergnat’s Moneyglass
Following a slow start to the season Moneyglass have shown recent improvement with a win away to Aldergrove and a share of the spoils with the in-form All Saint’s last time and they should be in with a shout in this one as they travel to Hightown to face St Enda’s.
St Enda’s enjoyed a positive start to their league programme with back to back victories but have struggled since and they will hope to turn the corner sooner rather than later.
This does look a close one with the destination of the points at stake hard to call and a draw looks possible.
St Mary’s Aghagallon v St John’s
Both sides have similar league records with two wins and five defeats from seven starts and both will be striving to add another win to their credit in this one as Aghagallon play hosts to St. John’s and a close one looks in prospect.
The Johnnies added a brace of points with a good win over the visiting Con Magees last time out and that will raise morale as they travel to Aghagallon.
The points in this one will be fully contested and in what looks a most watchable affair ground advantage may tip the balance in favour of the St Mary’s men.
St Mary’s Ahoghill v Tir na nOg
An all South West encounter as Tir na nOg travel to Clooney to cross swords with St Mary’s and a close hard fought affair is likely as the respective dual clubs clash.
Tir na nOg have fared the better in their league programme to date and with nine points on board they are well ahead of their hosts who have three in the bag.
Current ratings would suggest a win for the visitors looks likely but Ahoghill should never be taken for granted on their own sward and a home win is possible.
Division Two (all games (7.15pm)
St Teresa’s v St Pauls
St Teresa’s lead division 2 with 12 points from an unbeaten six starts and the Glen Road side are on course for a place back with the big boys at this juncture as they play hosts to St Paul’s.
St Paul’s had no game last week when Ardoyne failed to field but most of them travelled to the Glen Road to run their eye over this week’s opponents as they recorded an impressive win over Dunloy.
They can’t have been anything other than impressed but they will travel in search of a victory which would see them climb the table but the home side will start as favourites and they should gain the day.
Kickham’s Ardoyne v Michael Davitt’s
Ardoyne have struggled to get it together this season and the Kickham’s await their first league win as they play hosts to Davitts in this one.
Michael Davitt’s have six points from their programme to date with a couple of wins and a similar number of draws and they will travel as favourites to gain another brace.
The home side will certainly give this one a lash but a win for Davitts looks probable.
Patrick Sarsfield’s v St Patrick’s Lisburn
St Patrick’s Lisburn have shown progress this term following a poor 2024 campaign and with seven points to date they remain in a top three position.
Sarsfields have gained a similar number of points as their visitors but ground advantage may well ensure a full return for the Paddies;
Cuchullian’s Dunloy v Gort na Mona
Last year’s beaten senior championship finalists are obviously hindered by their dual status but are a match for most and sit in mid-table and will fancy their chances in this one as Gort na Mona visit Pearse Park.
The Gorts have struggled this term with just a single win in the first round over Ardoyne and will need to show improvement in this one if they are to challenge Cuchullian’s with a home win likely.
St Joseph’s Glenavy v St Mary’s Rasharkin
St Joseph’s Glenavy welcome the current Junior Champions, St Mary’s Rasharkin to Chapel Hill with the home side well placed in their current campaign.
Glenavy currently hold a good second place behind the front running St Teresa’s and the may well retain it with a full return of points likely from this one.
Division Three (all games at 7.15)
Wolfe Tones v St Malachy’s
Both Wolfe Tones and St Malachy’s have struggled in the current campaign and improvement will be required if they are to climb up the table.
The Mals have a single victory to date while north Belfast based Wolfe Tones await their first win.
St Comgall’s Antrim v St Agnes
St Comgall’s, with Barry Burns at the helm remain undefeated to date and they will start this one as firm favourite as the Aggies visit Antrim.
The visitors have a three point haul to date and improvement is required this time as they take the road to Dunsilly.
Cardinal O’ Donnell’s v Patrick Pearse’s
Cardinal O’ Donnell’s are unbeaten thus far in the league and share top spot with St Comgall’s with the Pearses men a couple of points behind and a home win will ensure clear ground created.
Laochra Loch Lao v Eire Og
Eire Og sit on seven points and are just a single point ahead of Laochra Loch La and this one could go either way.
