ACFL Division 1 Final
Kickham’s Creggan v All Saints Ballymena
Dunsilly 7-00pm
Kickham’s Creggan and All Saints, Ballymena meet in the ACFL Division 1 final tonight (Wednesday) at Dunsilly in a fixture that both camps could probably have done without at this stage of the season.
Tonight’s opponents meet again in the opening game of the Senior Football Championship in Ballymena in 10 days-time and both clubs will have their primary focus on that competition.
Both sides are drawn in what some have dubbed the ‘Group of Death’ with St. Galls and Lamh Dhearg and a win at Slemish Park on the 1st August would set up either side with a strong chance of qualification from Group 3 but there is tonight’s league final to get out of the way first.
There is a growing feeling within the county that the top-four competition should be scrapped with last year’s winners, St. Brigid’s withdrawing from their semi-final meeting with Creggan, handing the Kickham’s a place in the final.
Their opponents, All Saints came through a tough semi-final against an understrength Cargin just five days ago, that one going to extra time and then penalty kicks against the reigning county champions.
It’s a quick turnaround for the Ballymena side who lost Kavan Keenan to a straight Red card and were already short a number of players through injury and they would hope to have back for the championship clash in 10 days-time but tonight’s fixture will come too soon for them.
Creggan have had a chance to clear up niggles due to their period of inactivity due to the St. Brigid’s withdrawel but are unlikely to take any chances with players less than fit.
Never the less there is a league final to play and a trophy to play for and neither Joe Cassidy nor Liam Bradley will want to pass up the opportunity of silverware at this stage of the season.
All Saints have suffered heavy defeats at the hands of the Staffordstown Road side in the league over the last two years and a win here would be a major confidence booster for the Ballymena men.
Creggan will start tonight’s final as firm favourites to claim the title and claim the bragging rights over neighbours Cargin for now but All Saints have made steady progress over the past two years under ‘Baker’ Bradley, ‘Honda’ Mullan and Gerard O’Callaghan and should give it a real rattle.