The last round of the football league, Division One is scheduled for Wednesday 2nd July with the top four at conclusion to participate in semi-finals, and a final game to determine Division One league champions 2025 and the bottom four will complete in a similar play off.
Divisions Two and Three are almost finished as the respective winners of those divisions are decided but promotion and relegation remains to be decided.
Wed 2nd July
Division One (7.15 pm)
Kickham’s Creggan v St James Aldergrove
Kickham’s Creggan have enjoyed a very positive season and with 22 points to date have earned a place in the knock out competition in search of the division 1 title and they have gained the highest points difference on their travels.
Aldergrove have played well this term and this is reflected in their snug mid table berth with 14 points banked from their assignments.
Ground advantage will most certainly combine with current form to strongly suggest the Kickham’s men will start as firm favourites and they will most likely gain the day.
St John’s v St Paul’s
St John’s took a long time to get going in the league but recent improvement has moved the Corrigan residents onto 9 points but they need a win from this one to ensure they are not involved in the bottom four play-offs.
St Paul’s also took a time to get their act together on league matters but the Shaw’s road residents hit form in mid-season and such ensured a finishing total of 11 points and retention of division 1status.
Should Aghagallon, who are also on 9 points, beat All Saints in their final game then St.John’s would also need a win to avoid being involved in the play-offs and they should have enough to get the win.
Casement’s Portglenone v Lamh Dhearg
Portglenone have enjoyed another good season but they will finish out of the top four despite acquiring 19 points to finish 5th in the league tables.
Lamh Dhearg also enjoyed a good league campaign and although they have not gained a top four spot they have banked 15 points to date.
A good game is in prospect and although it may well be a close one ground advantage may nudge the verdict in favour of John McKeever’s men.
O’ Donovan Rossa v St Brigid’s
Having struggled for most of the season Rossa have only 6 points and are already condemned to a place in the bottom 4 play-offs.
St Brigid’s have enjoyed a good season and have already qualified for a top four play-off place but they will travel to Rossa intent on picking up another win.
Con Magees Glenravel v Cuchullian’s Dunloy
Glenravel have enjoyed a good season to date and currently have 11 points and the Glensman are secure of status and a place in the top division in 2026 as they play hosts to Dunloy in their final game.
Dunloy have enjoyed a good season thus far and with a strong panel available the dual club will anticipate making their respective mark on both hurling and football championships this term.
This may well be another close one but again ground advantage may well prove as a decider with Glenravel given the nod.
Tir na nOg v Erin’s Own Cargin
Cargin, with just one defeat this season, when they lost to St Brigid’s will take their place in the play off to determine the ultimate winners of the league title and will travel to Whitehill to meet Tir na nOg with the home side set to compete in the play-offs to determine the relegation issue.
Lady Luck has turned her back on the Og’s this term and having finished in the top four last term they will be disappointed that their quest for points this season has only amounted to six.
Cargin with their place in the top four assured will have eyes firmly fixed on retention of championship and it remains to be seen if Ronan Devlin’s charges will field at full strength or if they decide to look to their extended panel.
St Mary’s Ahoghill v St Gall’s
Ahoghill looked to be on the road to recovery lately despite a poor return of points as the season neared conclusion when three good performances in sequence hinted strongly at recovery but the wheels came off the wagon in the last few rounds and they have just six points.
St. Mary’s meet St Gall’s and the Cloney side are more than capable of gaining the points against a St. Gall’s side who started the season well but have dipped in form recently.
St Mary’s Aghagallon v All Saint’s Ballymena
Aghagallon endured a poor enough season and have struggled without their county contingent and sit with St. John’s on nine points. They really need a win in this one as they entertain top four side, All Saints and even that may not be enough to avoid a playoff place for survival if St. John’s beat St. Paul’s.
All Saint’s Ballymena have enjoyed a good season and sit in third place in the league with 22 points and their greater need could see them edge this one if the Ballymena side are not at their best.
Aghagallon will hope to finish their league campaign on a positive note and if such is the case the St Mary’s men may well bank another couple of points and hope St. Paul’s can do them a favour at Corrigan.
ACFL Division 2 Round Up
Sarsfield’s entertain Naomh Padraig at the bear Pit in their final game with the league title already secured following their win over previous league leaders, Moneyglass in Moneyglass on the 22nd June.
St. Ergnat’s failed again in their final game to St. Joseph’s Glenavy but will finish in second place and that should earn them a place in the promotion-relegation deciders later in the year.
ACFL Division 3 Round Up
St. Agnes claimed the division 3 league title with a win over closest rivals, Laochra Loch Lao at Pairc Naomh Una so their final game away to Pearses is academic but the Aggies will want to finish on a high.
Laochra Loch Lao have proved worthy challengers and the Irish language side will finish second regardless of their final game result against St. Malachy’s but should gain the win.