2026 Antrim Senior Football League Preview
The Antrim football leagues are set to kick off early in 2026! Division One action gets underway tonight Wednesday when Casements host the Johnnies while all the othrer games are set for Sunday, March 15th, launching a competitive schedule expected to conclude in late June. With a host of players missing from Division 1 because of county hurling and football commitments it is hard to call most of these games.
Here is a look ahead at the opening fixtures:
Wed 11th March
- Casement’s Portglenone v St John’s – The Division action gets underway tonight (Wednesday) at Kelly Park, Portglenone when the Casements take on St John’s. Casement’s enjoyed a strong 2025 campaign and are eager to build on that momentum under newly appointed manager Mattie McGleenan, who is joined by Niall Kelly and Donal Parkinson. St John’s, the reigning senior hurling champions, will be balancing their dual ambitions. The Corrigan Park men will certainly not neglect their football and travel to the South West looking for a fast start.
- Division One (Sunday, 15th March )
- Cuchullian’s Dunloy v St Brigid’s Reigning county champions Dunloy, begin their title defence at home in Pearse Park. They welcome a well-prepared St Brigid’s side who have been knocking on the door of a senior title in recent years, and the team that ran the champions closest of all in last year’s quarter final. Although both teams are short a good few players because of football and hurling county commitments this will be an excellent early measuring stick for the South Belfast men.
- Lamh Dhearg v Con Magee’s (Glenravel) Hannahstown’s Lamh Dhearg haven’t hit their desired heights over the past couple of seasons and will look to bounce back on their home turf. Glenravel, under new manager Pauric McKenna will still be in experimental mode but will travel up to Hannahstown hoping for a good start, but Lamh Dhearg will prove tough opponents.
- Patrick Sarsfield’s v St Paul’s An exciting all-city derby sees Sarsfields back in the top tier after several years away, playing host to St Paul’s. The ‘Paddies’ will be fired up for this visit, and a tight, competitive clash is expected—a draw is a very real possibility here.
- St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v O’Donovan Rossa Moneyglass makes a swift return to Division One following a brief spell in the second tier, welcoming Hugh McGettigan’s Rossa to Marian Hill. Managed by Loup native Padraig O’Kane, the hosts will be well-prepared, but Rossa will travel down confident in their chances of grabbing an opening victory.
- All Saint’s v St Gall’s St Gall’s have been building steady momentum in recent years. Backed by a strong management team of former players Sean Kelly, Terry O’Neill, and Colm Brady, they are primed to make an impact. Meanwhile, Ballymena’s All Saints, guided by ‘Baker’ Bradley, are also expected to be serious contenders in the race for silverware this season.
- Tir Na Nog Randalstown v St Mary’s Aghagallon Aghagallon hits the road to face Tir Na Nog at Whitehill. Expect a hard-fought contest, but home advantage might just give the Randalstown men the edge they need to secure the win.
- Erin’s Own Cargin v Kickham’s Creggan The standout fixture of the round. Last year’s beaten county finalists, Cargin, begin their campaign under new manager Dermot Carlin (assisted by Ronan Devlin, Niall Jackman, and Kevin Doyle). They host their bitter rivals, Creggan, who are still led by Joe Cassidy and Odhran McLarnon. Despite Cargin’s home advantage, this fierce derby is too close to call and a share of the spoils wouldn’t be a surprise.
