It’s back to the football this weekend and what a mouth-watering programme we have in store with semi-finals in Junior Intermediate and senior grades.
NORTHERN SWITCHGEAR SFC Semi-Final
Dunloy v St. Brigid’s
These two heavyweights enter the ring on Saturday evening at Dunsilly in a repeat of last year’s quarter-final when Dunloy narrowly defeated St. Brigid’s in Toome. The Musgrave Park side will look to a series of bad misses late in that game and will feel they can avenge that defeat.
Dunloy, as we know went on to beat Erin’s Own, Cargin in the final and will be keen to retain their title and if they are at full strength then they look capable of winning this one but St. Brigid’s, if they can maintain their best form for the full 60 plus minutes will have something to say about that.
NORTHERN SWITCHGEAR SFC Semi-Final
O’Donovan Rossa v Erin’s Own Cargin
Rossa return to the venue of their biggest victory in recent year’s where they defeated strong favourites, Casement’s, Portglenone in this year’s quarter-final, two weeks ago after extra-time.
Rossa will have been buoyed by that result and will feel that they can take another major scalp when they meet championship specialists, Erin’s Own Cargin on Sunday and at full-strength can push the Toome side close.
Cargin have been in fine form in this year’s championship with wins over St. Brigid’s, St. Gall’s and St. Ergnat’s to top Group 3 before brushing aside the challenge of neighbours and league winners, Kickham’s Creggan in Ballymena in the quarter-final.
Erin’s own kicked a series of 2 pointers for fun that night and on that form could prove too much for Rossa but the Jeremiahs will feel that they are capable of causing another upset.
THIS WEEK’S ACTION STARTS HERE
Thursday 7-30pm Dunsilly
U16A Final
Dunloy v St. Brigid’s
To kick this week’s programme off we have an U16A final between St. Brigid’s and Dunloy at Dunsilly on Thursday night and this one looks hard to call. St. Brigid’s had only a point to spare in their semi-final win over Naomh Eanna while Cuchullains defeated a descent All Saints in the other semi-final at Quinn Park.
There were two goals between the sides in that one and Dunloy went on to lift the U16A Hurling crown with a win over Loughgiel in the final at Cloney and might just add the football trophy to their portfolio.
Friday 7-00pm Dunsilly
OB CONSTRUCTION IFC Semi-Final
St. James Aldergrove v St. Mary’s Ahoghill
Both these sides dropped down from Division 1 and SFC last year and both have been performing well in division 2 and Intermediate Championship this season. Aldergrove topped Group 1 with an unblemished four wins from four starts with Gort na Mona finishing second with one defeat which came at the hands of the Crumlin side.
Ahoghill finished second in Group 2 with their only defeat coming at the hands of Group 2 winners, St. Enda’s Glengormley who have been tipped as favourites in some quarters after winning division 2 of the ACFL.
St. Mary’s defeated St. James’ in the league back in April in Crumlin but this is unlikely to have any bearing on Friday night’s result and there is not likely to be much between them with Ahoghill given a tentative nod.
Saturday 2-00pm Bear Pit
SFC Relegation Play off
Sarsfield’s v St. Paul’s
Sarsfield’s lost last day out to St. Ergnat’s in Moneyglass and really need to win this one if they are to avoid the drop to Intermediate Championship. This is St. Paul’s first game in a three-way playoff and if they were to win on their neighbours pitch on Saturday they would not have to play Moneyglass but a win for the ‘Paddies’ would keep their survival hopes alive and leave St. Paul’s entertaining St. Ergnats next weekend.
Saturday 4-00pm Glenavy
OB CONSTRUCTION IFC Semi-Final
Naomh Eanna v Gort na Mona
Naomh Eanna have already completed one half of the league and championship double and will start as favourites against a Gort na Mona side who they defeated on their way to the league title. I covered Gort na Mona’s final Group game at Davitt’s last weekend and they were mighty impressive and the Glengormley side would do well not to treat them lightly but they should have enough to edge this one and keep their double hopes alive.
Saturday 4-00pm Dreen
P GRAHAM TARMAC JFC Semi-Final
St. Mary’s Rasharkin v O’Donnell’s
Another side aiming for a league and championship double, St. Mary’s Rasharkin have home advantage by virtue of topping their Group. That will see St. Mary’s start this one as favourites but they will face a stern challenge from a dogged O’D’s who drew with them in the league and finished only two points behind them in the league table.
Sunday 2-00pm Cliftonville
GRAHAM TARMAC JFC Semi-Final
Ardoyne v Eire Og
Only 4 points separated these sides when they met at Sunday’s venue on the last day of the Group stages with Ardoyne winning that one and they will be confident that they can repeat that result but Eire Og have impressed this year and are likely to give the hosts a run for their money