Football Championship previews
While the Antrim Football Championships are still officially at the Group stages, for some it is do or die this weekend and for a number of sides in action, it marks the beginning of knockout.
Northern Switchgear Senior Football Championship
Group 1
Saturday 2-00pm
Reigning champions, Dunloy have already secured their quarter-final slot and a win for Rossa over Tir na nOg on Saturday at Lamh Dhearg would see them join them.
It’s not quite as clear cut as it looks however and if Tir na nOg were to win that one and Con Magee’s were to gain a victory over the reigning champions in Ballymena then both of them would move onto three points and score difference could come into play for the remaining quarter-final place.
Tir na nOg v Rossa Saturday 2-00p Saturday (Lamh Dhearg)
Dunloy v Con Magee’s 2-00p Saturday (Ballymena)
Group 2
Sunday 1-30pm
Is definitely knockout in the SFC where the meeting of All Saints and Creggan in Randalstown on Sunday will mark the end of the road for the losers.St. John’s have already booked their place in the quarter-finals with wins over the previous two and the Kickham’s are firm favourites to join them but a draw would see Baker Bradley’s side grab the second knockout place.
The other Group 2 fixture sees the ‘Johnnies’ take on Belfast rivals St. Paul’s at Lamh Dhearg with a quarter-final spot already secured while the Shaw’s Road side will have nothing but pride to play for.
Creggan v All Saints Sunday 1-00pm (Whitehill)
St. Paul’s v St. John’s Sunday 1-00pm (Shaw’s Road)
Group 3
Sunday 4-00-pm
Cargin top Group with two wins from two starts and their fate is very much in their own hands as they take on St. Gall’s in Glenavy on Sunday. The Milltown side would need to beat them by 8 points to qualify after suffering a heavy loss to St. Brigid’s last time out but that seems unlikely.
Erin’s Own will be without Tomas McCann, through injury but should have enough strength in depth to book a quarter-final spot where they are likely to be joined by St. Brigid’s who take on St. Ergnat’s in Ahoghill and should win that one.
St. Gall’s v Cargin Sunday 4-00pm (Glenavy)
Moneyglass v St. Brigid’s Sunday 4-00pm (Ahoghill)
Group 4
Sunday 4-00pm
It’s another do or die scenario in Group 4 where Aghagallon face Portglenone in Toome on Saturday. A Portglenone win would see them through where they are likely to be joined by Lamh Dhearg who should have too much for Sarsfields at Davitt’s.
An Aghagallon win in Toome by seven or more would see them joined by Lamh Dhearg if he Hannastwon side defeat Sarsfield’s but Portglenone should have enough to see them through to join the ‘Lamh’s’ in the quarter-finals
Portglenone v Aghagallon Saturday 5-30pm (Toome)
Davitt’s v Lamh Dhearg Saturday 5-30pm (Davitt’s Pairc)
OB Construction Intermediate Football Championship
Group 1
Things look a little clearer in the IFC with St. James, Aldergrove heading Group 1 with three wins from three and St. Teres’as and Gort na Mona in joint second with 2 points each from 2 starts. Davitt’s have 1 win from 3 starts so St. James look certain to qualify but with 2 rounds to play the race for second looks to be between the ‘Gorts’ and St. Teresa’s
Gort na Mona v Naomh Una Saturday 5-30pm
St. James v St. Teresa’s Saturday 3-00pm
Group 2
St. Enda’s and Ahoghill are setting the pace in Group 2 with 4 points each from 2 starts and are closely followed by Glenavy who have 4 points from 3 outings.
Naomh Eanna travel to Glenavy on and a win there would put them in a strong position while a win for St. Joseph’s would keep them very much in the qualifying race.
St. Mary’s Ahoghill arte the other strong contenders in Group 2 and can put themselves in a strong position if they can overcome Naomh Comhghall in Antrim on Saturday but Barry Burns’ side have been playing well but not getting the results their efforts have deserved.
Naomh Comhghall v Ahoghill Saturday 2-00pm
St, Joseph’s v St. Enda’s Sunday (1-00pm)
P Graham Tarmac Junior Football Championship
Group 1
Laochra Loch Lao have made a few sit up and take notice with their exploits in this year’s JFC with wins over Pearses and St. Malachy’s in Group 1. The Irish language side have recorded big scores in both their games, 1-20 and 2-19 respectively and join Division 3 league winners, Rasharkin on 4 points from 2 starts.
The sides meet in Rasharkin on Sunday and this game should decide the Group winners and St. Mary’s will have to be at their best if they are to overcome the West Belfast side but home advantage might just swing it their way.
Pearses v St. Malachy’s Friday 7-45pm Cliftonville
Rasharkin v Laochra Loch Lao Sunday 3-00pm
Group 2
Eire Og top Group 2 and a win over Ardoyne at Cliftonville on Saturday would guarantee them top spot but they face a tough challenge from a Kickham’s side that would join them on 4 points if they win this one
Waiting in the wings are Cardinal O’Donnell’s and the MacRory Park side will move onto 4 points themselves and they look likely to do so when they travel to Cloughmills to face a St. Brigid’s side in their first year in league and championship football.
The above scenario would leave Eire Og, Ardoyne and O’Donnell’s on 4 points each and score difference would come into play but Eire Og have their fate very much in their own hands.
St. Brigid’s Cloughmill’s v O’Donnell’s Saturday 3-30pm
Ardoyne v Eire Og Saturday 5-30pm