Football Championship semi-Finals previews
Football Championship features prominently this week-end as the semi-final stages of all of the grades are down for decision on what is to be a busy time for players and spectators alike from Friday evening through to Sunday.
Senior Football Championship (Semi Finals)
Saturday 28th September(semi-final)
Casements Portglenone v Lamh Dhearg (Toome) at 4.00pm)
The first semi-final of the senior football championship will ensure a big gathering in Toome with Casement’s, last year’s senior league winners facing Lamh Dhearg who were last crowned senior champions in 2017.
The Hannahstown side defeated Creggan in what was a close hard fought quarter final but there is a question mark over this one going ahead as scheduled following an appeal by the Creggan club.
Lamh Dhearg really had to dig deep to get past a very good Kickham’s side and in the event they looked to the depth of their experienced players to get them across the line following extra time.
It was close throughout with the Hannahstown men looking on their way out of the championship as the final whistle approached but they were led back into contention by experienced campaigners Paddy Cunningham and Declan Lynch to earn a draw.
Extra time proved just as close and vigorous as the 60 minutes previous with nothing at all between the contestants but when the Kickham’s had a man sent off in the final minutes, the resultant free was despatched between the posts by Paddy Cunningham and the Lamh’s had gained the day.
Casement’s started the Group stages well and the 2023 division One league winners came through the group stages as expected, but John McKeever’s men had to dig deep to gain a place in the last four.
Portglenone have plenty of talent at their disposal including Dermot Mc Aleese, Oisin Doherty, and the Delargy brothers and have been more than well served by new signing, Enda Lynn this term.
They did seem on the way to a comfortable victory over St. John’s in the quarter-final side but the Whiterock side had other ideas and a late Conal Quinn goal forced the home side to dig deep to cross the line with a one point victory.
A close one is in prospect in this one and although Casement’s will enter the fray as slight favourites the Lamh Dhearg have been impressive this term and they will look to their experienced players, Decky Lynch, Paddy Cunningham Michael Herron, Conor and Ryan Murray and Terry McCrudden to see them through to another final.
Sunday 29th September (semi-final)
Erin’s Own Cargin v St Brigid’s (Dunsilly) at 4.00pm
Possibly the lead attraction in a week-end of attractive fixtures as the reigning champions, Cargin lock horns with the reigning league champions, St. Brigid’s at Dunsilly which is certain to draw a big crowd to the Antrim venue.
The Toome men, in search of three in a row are unbeaten in this year’s campaign and Ronan Devlin’s charges have been impressive to date.
They coasted through their preliminary group and recorded a resounding win over St Mary’s Ahoghill in the quarter-final.
St Brigid’s made the breakthrough this year when they collected their first division 1 league title and moved through Group 4 of the championship qualifiers unbeaten but were pushed all the way before overcoming Dunloy in a tight quarter-final in Toome.
The South Belfast men looked in complete control at the half way stage when they led the Cuchullian’s by nine points.
Dunloy staged a strong second half comeback however and when they reduced the deficit to the minimum at one stage an upset looked likely.
In the event St Brigid’s regain the initiative and a late goal ensured their progress to Sunday’s semi-final.
This is certain to attract a big attendance to Dunsilly where a close game is anticipated and although the reigning champions will start as firm favourites, St. Brigid’s recent league success could give them the belief to push Cargin all the way.
Intermediate Football Championship
Saturday 28th September (semi-finals)
St Paul’s v All Saint’s Ballymena (Hightown) at 2.00pm
St Paul’s with three senior titles gained back in the 70’s face All Saints Ballymena in the first of the Intermediate semi-finals at St. Enda’s on Saturday in a game that could go either way.
St Paul’s have descended down the ranks since those lofty days of the 70’s but have made great strides in recent years which included promotion from division 2 in 2024 as league winners.
The Shaw’s Road side have reached the final of the Minor championship again following their success in the same competition back in 2023.
All Saints enjoyed a good division 1 league campaign where they finished in third place but have been a bit hit and miss in their championship campaign to date.
After defeating Gort na Mona in their opening Group game they travelled to the Bear Pit where they lost by a late pointed free to Sarsfield’s but a facile victory over a depleted Davitt’s in their third outing kept them in contention.
They travelled to Chapel Hill on day four where they recorded a victory over Glenavy with a strong finish and a couple of Ronan Mc Killop points saw them record a 1-12 to 0-11 win over the home side and a place in Saturday’s semi-final.
St Paul’s have looked good in their championship campaign to date and the Shaw’s road side will go into this semi-final full of confidence.
St. Paul’s earned their place in Saturday’s semi-final with an impressive away win over St. Mary’s Rasharkin, a home win over Naomh Padraig, Lisburn and a draw away to a St. Teresa’s side who are in the second semi-final.
This one could be mighty close and All Saints will need to be at their best if they are to overcome the challenge of a St. Paul’s side who have scored freely throughout this year’s campaign and will fancy their chances on Saturday
Patrick Sarsfields v St Teresa’s (Davitt Park) at 4.00pm
Sarsfield’s meet St Teresa’s at Davitt’s Park in the second semi-final and like the St. Paul’s v All Saints game, this one looks too close to call.
St Teresa’s have looked the part in a division 2 league campaign where they finished second to St. Paul’s with only a point separating them at the end of a good campaign for both sides.
They have carried that good form into the championship with wins over Ardoyne and Naomh Padraig and a draw with St. Paul’s but face a big challenge when they take on Sarsfield’s in Saturday’s semi-final.
Sarsfield’s had a mediocre league campaign but the Stewartstown Road side always seem to save their best for the championship and this year has been no different.
Resounding wins over Gort na Mona and Davitt’s in their opening two games and a narrow victory over All Saints on day 3 saw them top the group and installed as favourites to go on and lift the title.
They suffered their only defeat of the Group 2 campaign when they travelled to Glenavy on day 4 but had a number of players missing and had already qualified and will probably start Saturday’s semi-final as favourites but will be pushed all the way by the Glen Road men.
Junior Football Championship
Friday 27th September
St Comgall’s v Na Piarsaigh (Dunsilly 2) at 7.00pm
It has been a great year for the Antrim town men under Barry Burns and they will look to make 2024 even more memorable if they can add championship success to their division 3 league success.
A place in the final is the objective in this one as they line up against Pearses in this semi-final at Dunsilly.
Pearses have enjoyed a good 2024 and qualified for Friday night’s semi-final with a win over Eire Og at Fennell Park in the quarter-final.
The North Belfast men will be all out to gain a place in the Junior final but St Comgall’s will start as firm favourites and they are fancied to claim the final berth.
Saturday 28th September
St Agnes v St Malachy’s (Pairc Naomh Una) at 3.00pm
St Agnes and St Malachy’s have both enjoyed a good 2024 season to date and both will have eyes on a place in the Junior Championship decider but St. Agnes have been the form side in this year’s Junior Championship.
The Aggies have really struck form in this year’s knock-out campaign and assisted by home advantage they will hope to continue that good form as the men from the Markets visit.
St Malachy’s have enjoyed a good season to date and recorded a win over the Aggies in the league and they will travel with a place in the Junior Final uppermost in their mind.
Wins over Pearses, Laochra Loch Lao and O’Donnell’s saw St. Agnes top Group 1 and if they can carry that form into Saturday’s semi-final then I would expect them to advance to the decider.