Fixtures and Previews (Wed 12th and Sat 15th March)
A new season on the way and the opening round is scheduled for Wednesday evening when All Saints will play hosts to the men from Corrigan when St Johns take the road down to the South West while the remainder of the opening phase is on Saturday afternoon 15th March
Wed 12TH March (8.00pm)
All Saint’s Ballymena v St John’s
The opening game in the league programme 2025 looks to be one to watch as Liam Bradley’s men welcome St John’s to Ballymena and this one is likely attract a good attendance to the Ballymena venue.
The Ballymena side have enjoyed a good run in the Ulster Club league, played over the winter period but are likely to be short quite a number for Wednesday night’s fixture.
All Saints have a strong panel and it is likely to be severely tested by the Whiterock side but ground advantage may well nudge the home side to victory.
Saturday 15th March (all games 4.00pm
St James Aldergrove v Casements Portglenone
Aldergrove struggled for results last term but they can be relied upon to get it together on their own Crumlin sward and they will look for such positivity as they play hosts to Portglenone in this opening day contest with John Morrison and Bill Geoghan installed in the management role.
Casement’s have mixed it with the best in the recent past and with John McKeever assisted by Tony Convery, Scotchy Hagen, and Tommy Hagen on the sideline and Glen star Emmett Bradley lending a hand in training they will hope to be in the mix for honours.
The home side will give it everything and although the Portglenone men will start as favourites they may well be asked questions by the Crumlin men.
Lamh Dhearg v Tir na nOg
Lamh Dhearg are never far away in the race for honours, especially at Hannahstown and they will start this opener as favourites as the Randalstown based Tir na nOg visit.
Tir na nOg retained the services of Aodhan Jackman as trainer and the former Fermanagh man has brought improvement within the ranks of the Whitehill side.
Lamh Dhearg will start as favourites and ground advantage may aid them to victory but Tir na nOg could ask questions to the home side.
St Paul’s v Kickham’s Creggan
It’s been a while since St Paul’s last played in the top grade after languishing in division 2 for a time and they will be hoping to retain their recently acquired division 1 status.
The Shaw’s Road club have reaped the rewards from their work in the juvenile ranks and this is a red letter day for them as they play hosts to Creggan in a top division affair.
Creggan have retained the services of Joe Cassidy and the Kickham’s men will be in the hunt for the big prizes again and they will travel up to the city in search of victory and although the home side will give it a lash, a win for the visitors looks likely.
St Brigid’s v Con Magee’s Glenravel
St Brigid’s collected theior first senior league title last term and they will be striving to retain it again this term with an eye also on the championship as they await the arrival of Con Magees for their first outing in league fare 2025.
The Con Magee’s have regained senior status in the recent past and will strive to retain it but this trip to Belfast looks like a tough assignment and although the South West men will most certainly give it everything, a home win looks the most likely return.
Cuchullian’s Dunloy v St Marys Aghagallon
Dunloy are back in the top grade and although the dual club will possibly find the going tough but they will give it their all with Aghagallon asking the questions in this opening fixture.
St Mary’s did prove a trifle unpredictable last term but they are certainly not lacking in man power or ability and they are more than capable of standing toe to toe with the best.
Dunloy are more than capable of mixing it with the best in the top grade and although their visitors in this one will ask questions the Cuchullian’s may well provide the answers.
St Mary’s Ahoghill v Erin’s Own Cargin
St Mary’s Ahoghill have appointed Eamon Brady in the management role this term after Chris McGlone decided to stand down and the new man in charge faces a tough ask in his first challenge as the reigning county champions visit Clooney in round one.
Cargin have retained the services of Ronan Devlin in the management role with Fabian Muldoon and Kevin Doyle making up the management team.
Cargin have already seen action in ‘friendlies’ and in O’ Cahan Cup with more than a few of their youngsters seeing action and some are certain to make debuts in the upcoming season.
A win for the visitors is probable in this one but Eamon Brady’s men will provide a test for the Toome men.