Another full round of Football Fixtures in the mid-week slot with a full programme scheduled for Wednesday evening in all three divisions.
Wed 21st
Division One (all games at 7.15)
St Brigid’s v St Paul’s
St Paul’s had a poor start to the present season and it was not until round eight that they recorded their first win when they proved too good for the visiting Cuchullian’s.
They had earned a draw when they finished on terms with the visiting Randalstown men earlier in the season but more is required if they are to climb out of the drop zone.
St Brigid’s claimed their first league title last term and the South Belfast residents have been going well this year and are part of a group of four on 12 points in joint second place at present.
They did start this year’s league race well before losing at Creggan and shared the points with Casements and Lamh Dhearg and they now find themselves four points behind Cargin who top the table.
St Paul’s have shown improvement of late and have been competitive in most of their games but this looks a tough ask with a home win anticipated.
St Mary’s Ahoghill v Lamh Dhearg
St. Mary’s have found the going tough this year but a good win away to Tir na nOg last day out will have boosted their confidence.
The Cloney side sit on 4 points after a hard earned win away to St. John’s earlier in the season.
Lamh Dhearg sit in a mid-table berth but the men from Hannahstown will travel with confidence following a good win away to the in-form St Galls last time out and a draw at St Brigids in their previous game and they look to be hitting form at just the right time.
Lamh Dhearg will start this one as favourites but the home side will give it everything and their visitors will have to work for a positive result.
Con Magees Glenravel v Casement’s Portglenone
An all South West encounter as Portglenone travel to meet Glenravel in what may well be a close encounter and could draw a good attendance to Fr. Maginn Park.
The Glensmen sit on 7 points at the moment and they came very close to halting the positive run of Cargin when they paid a visit a few weeks past and they will look forward to the visit of Portglenone.
John Mc Keever’s Casement’s took a while to get it together this term but a good run which stretches back to mid-April tells its own tale.
This one is likely to see a good attendance to the Glenravel venue and may well end with honours even with a draw possible.
O’ Donovan Rossa v Tir na nOg
Rossa have struggled this season with only one win over St. Mary’s Ahoghill in round 2 while their visitors, Tir na nOg have 2 draws to their credit so a lot will rest on this one for both sides.
Much will depend on just how strong Wednesday night’s opponents can field with both side missing key players in recent games.
Tir na nOg looked on course for their first win last day out when they over turned a 14 point deficit to lead St. Mary’s Ahoghill but were stunned by a late Colla McDonnell goal that earned Ahoghill a vital win.
Home advantage could play its part in a game that could go either way and a share of the spoils is possible.
St John’s v Erin’s Own Cargin
St John’s took a time to get it together this term but have come good of late and the Corrigan men are undefeated in their latest three outings with victories over Rossa and Aghagallon and a draw with Con Magees.
They play hosts to Cargin in this one seeking to halt the league leader in their unbeaten run.
Games between these old adversaries are by tradition close fought affairs and this one may well follow in the same direction with little likely to separate the contestants but Cargin should record another win.
Cuchullian’s Dunloy v All Saint’s Ballymena
Dunloy have mixed the good with the bad this season and have been without key players in most of their games.
Wins away to St. John’s and at home to Kickham’s Creggan and draws with Tir na nOg and Lamh Dhearg would suggest that they are formidable opponents on their day and they have a good record against the Ballymena side.
All Saints have had a good season with only two defeats in 8 starts and will hope to put last day’s loss to Cargin behind them at Pearse Park but they will have to be at their best if they are to overcome Cuchullian’s.
St Gall’s v St James Aldergrove
Both side recorded big scores last day out but both ended on the losing side with St. Gall’s going down to Lamh Dhearg and St. Brigid’s defeating St. James in Crumlin.
Prior to that defeat to lamh Dhearg St. Gall’s were going well and home advantage may give them the edge in this one but they should be wary of an Aldergrove side who have turned in some great performances this year.
St Mary’s Aghagallon v Kickham’s Creggan
St Mary’s have been unpredictable this season and the absence of their county players is making life more difficult and it is unclear if those players will be available on Wednesday night.
This looks like another tough assignment for the men on the Armagh border as Creggan pay a visit.
Creggan have enjoyed a good season to date and sit in second place in the league and they will travel to Aghagallon in a positive mood and they could gain a win over the home side but it may well be a close one.
Division Two (all games at 7.15pm)
Michael Davitt’s v St Enda’s
Davitt’s are struggling to get it together this term and have only one point from a draw with Glenavy to date as they play hosts to the men from Glengormley.
They showed improvement last day out before losing to league leaders Sarsfields at the Bear Pit and will hope to carry that improved form into Wednesday night’s meeting with St. Enda’s.
St Enda’s have 3 wins to date but have lost on four occasions and they suffered a heavy defeat as Moneyglass visited Hightown last time.
The Glengormley side will travel as firm favourites to return home with the points but if Davitt’s are at strength then they could get something from this one.
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v St Patrick’s Lisburn
Moneyglass have impressed to date having amassed a whopping 169 points to date to lead Sarsfields on score difference at the top of the table.
They eased past St Enda’s last time out and they will welcome the visiting Lisburn this time cast as firm favourites.
St Patrick’s have enjoyed a good season to date and currently sit in fourth place, just three behind their hosts in this one but lost to St. Teresa’s last day out.
St. Ergnat’s are the form side in division 2 at present and while Naomh Padraig are capable of pushing them hard a home win is the prediction.
Gort na Mona v Patrick Sarsfield’s
The Paddies have passed all the tests presented to them this term and have kept in step with St Ergnat’s with only score difference seperating them as they travel over to Gort na Mona.
The Gorts have struggled to get their best foot forward in the league to date and they sit nine points in arrears of the pace setting duo of Moneyglass and Sarsfields.
Points are required if the Gorts are to bridge the gap between themselves and their visitors in this one but that may well prove difficult with an away win the likely result.
St Teresa’s v St Joseph’s Glenavy
St Teresa’s remain on the heels of the league leaders, only three points in arrears and they will hope for a full return of points from this one as Glenavy pay a visit.
Glenavy currently hold a mid-table slot and they need a win if they are to remain in touch with the pace setters as they travel to meet St Teresa’s on the Glen Road.
This one has all the ingredients of a close one with ground advantage possibly tipping the balance to St Teresa’s.
St Mary’s Rasharkin v St Comgall’s Antrim
Both the contestants in this one are former residents of division three as Rasharkin play hosts to St Comgall’s at Dreen with a close fought contest likely.
Naomh Comhghall recorded their second win when they defeated Gort na Mona at Dunsilly to add to a previous win over Davitt’s at the same venue and will travel with confidence.
St. Mary’s have a long injury list in their camp at present and this one could go either way but ground advantage may prove the difference and a tentative vote goes the way of Rasharkin.
Division Three (all games at 7.15 pm)
Laochra Loch Lao v Eire Og
Laochra Loch Lao are riding high in division 3, just three points behind league leaders St Agnes and they should gain another win to keep them in touch with the ‘Aggies’.
Wolfe Tones v St Agnes
Wolfe Tones remain bottom of the ratings at present, well in arrears of the top rated St. Agnes and barring unforeseen circumstance the league leaders will add a couple more points to their credit.
Cardinal O’ Donnell’s v Patrick Pearses
O’ Donnell’s remain within reach of league leaders St Agnes, just three points in arrears and the MacRory Park side should gain another couple of points from this one to ensure they remain in touch at the top.
Kickham’s Ardoyne v St Malachy’s
Only a single point separates this duo with the St. Malachy’s on 7 points and Ardoyne on 6 but Ardoyne have home advantage and recorded a good win last day out. There might well be little between Wednesday’s opponents with a draw possible.