ACFL Division 1

Creggan1-17 St. Brigid’s 2-8

County champions Creggan looked in a spot of bother when they trailed visitors, St. Brigid’s by a point at half time in this division 1 meeting at their Staffordstown Road ground but they staged a strong second half comeback to win comfortably in the end.

It was visitors St. Brigid’s who opened the scoring with a Conor McAleer point in the first minute with Kevin Small levelling matters for the home side in the third minute. McAleer edged the visitors in front once more before Jimmy McCann fired over to tie the contest for the second time.

Dominic McAteer edged the Kickham’s in front for the first time before Niall Lundy brought it all square for the third time but the Musgrave Park side were beginning to settle into a rhythm and struck with a great goal from Paul Bradley in the 13^th minute.

The home side responded through Kevin Small and Eunan McAteer but another excellent passing move saw Bradley through for a second goal in the 17^th minute and James Smith added a point to move the visitors six in front and they were looking good at this stage of the game.

Creggan finished the half strongly with Jimmy McCann 0-2 and Dominic McAteer on target to reduce the gap to three but they were opened up for the third time in the half when Bradley looked certain to complete his hat-trick but his fierce drive from close range cannoned off the crossbar and over for a point.

The home side found a late response and were rewarded for their efforts when Matthew Rogers scored a good goal at the other end to leave just a point between the sides as Eamon McAuley sounded the half time whistle.

Sean Duffin replaced Aidan Maguire in the Creggan side at the start of the second half and the county champions returned to the field a much more focused and determined side as the pushed up on their opponents to deny them space.

Within five minutes they had taken the lead as Matthew Rodgers, Kevin Small and Dominic McAteer fired over and with McAteer breaking up a number of attempted counter attacks by the opposition the Musgrave Park side were finding it difficult to put a meaningful attack together.

It was all Creggan at this stage as Rodgers and McAteer extended their lead and it took 19 minutes for the visitors to finally open their second half account when Conor McAleer pointed a free from 40 meters.

Tiernan McAteer announced his introduction as he split the posts following another timely McAteer interception with keeper Declan Heerey replying from another free for the visitors who were living on scraps at this stage of the game.

Their persistence nearly paid off however as they put an excellent move together and Patrick Finnegan looked in for a goal but his shot rebounded of an upright with substitute Marcus Lynch returning the rebound over the bar.

It was to prove to be their final score as Odhran McCann and Caolan McCann concluded the scoring with points for the Kickham’s to leave them comfortable six point winners in the end and the visitors left to rue those two missed goal opportunities.

The next round of the football leagues (Div One) continues as round eight is set to proceed on Wednesday evening.

By Geordie McGuckin

Division One (all games at 7.30 pm)

O’ Donovan Rossa v Gort na Mona

Having endured a poor return for their efforts previously in their campaign to date Gort na Mona gained a positive return last time out and a win over the visiting Aghagallon.

The Enright park residents will probably look to that result as a turning point in their season and they may well travel down to Shaw’s road to meet up with Rossa in a renewed positivity.

Rossa have also picked up the pace in recent times and a win over St Brigid’s at Musgrave park  following a home win over their close rivals St Johns previously underlines current wellbeing.

Rossa will start this one as firm favourites and although their visitors will arrive with a spring in their step a home win looks most likely.

Lamh Dhearg v Casement’s Portglenone

Lamh Dhearg had to dig deep to earn a draw up at Whitehill last time when a late, late Ryan Murray pointed free ensured they shared the points following a feisty affair.

The Hannahstown residents do seem to have picked up the pace of late and they will need to be at their best as they welcome the table topping Bannsider’s to Hannastown.

John Mc Keever’s Casement’s have been flying high this term and although they bowed the knee to the visiting Cargin last time out they were missing a few regulars in that one as a possible cause this does look another test in the making.

The Lamh’s with their ‘county player’s still available will start as slight favourites and although they will be asked questions aplenty by their visitors ground advantage may well prove the deciding factor with a home win possible.

Kickham’s Creggan v St Brigid’s

Although the reigning county champions may well have championship as their prime concern this year they are going well in the league at present with only a single defeat endured to date.

The Kickham’s men have lost the services of both Ricki Johnston and Jamie McCann for a while with both taking a sabbatical in the USA but they do have a strong panel to call on and will cope more than well until the ranks are filled again.

St Brigid’s, blessed with a strong youth based panel seem stuck somewhat in a rut at present and the South Belfast residents have only a couple of wins thus far in their campaign and this does look another big ask as they travel down to the South West and meet up with the reigning champions.

Creggan will start as firm favourites and unless the City men can regain lost composure a home win does seem the likely result.

Erin’s Own Cargin v St Mary’s Ahoghill

Cargin have picked up the pace of late after a couple of slip ups and despite Ronan Devlin striving to research the strength and depth on the bench of the Toome men they have picked up the pace.

In the event the new manager is sure to be more than pleased with the performances to date and it is more than likely such trend will continue as St Mary’s Ahoghill visit Toome.

Ahoghill have a couple of wins to date and indeed they have been more than unlucky losers in several defeats to date.

They did endure the sucker punch of a late goal against St Gall’s last time and strength of character will ensure they will travel up to Toome in a positive mood.

Cargin recorded a good win last time when they gained the points at the expense of Casement’s and they will return to their own abode this time in a positive frame of mind as St. Mary’s visit.

Ronan Devlin’s men will start as firm favourites and although Ahoghill will posts questions to those in green and white a home win does look the most likely scenario.

St Mary’s Aghagallon v Tir na nOg Randalstown

Aghagallon, last year’s beaten senior championship finalists have proved a little enigmatic in performances to date.

The St Mary’s men under the guidance on Edendork man Audi Hamilton this term lost out to basement club Gort na Mona last time and they will hope to put that result behind them this time as they welcome reigning Intermediate and division two league champions Tir na nOg.

Michael O’ Kane’s Randalstown men have started their division 1 campaign well with seven points to date and the Whitehill side have looked more than comfortable in with the big boys as they travel to Aghagallon.

The St Mary’s men may well have an eye on the championship with intentions fixed on going one better in 2022 but they will start this one as firm favourites.

A home win looks likely but they can take nothing for granted as their visitors will come asking questions.

St Gall’s v St Enda’s Glengormley

St Gall’s needed a late winner and a 59^th minute major to ensure a full return of the points from their visit to Ahoghill last time and Paddy Mc Shane’s men will look for a similar result again as they return to their Milltown home to welcome St Enda’s to the Lower Falls.

The home side are in the midst of team building at present while St Enda’s have four wins to date and occupy a snug mid table berth at the present time and they will travel to Milltown hoping for another win.

The Hightown residents will have the assistance of their county panellists in this one and that will aid their cause.

This does look a close affair and the possibility and a draw cannot be ruled out.