Goals from James Gallagher after 7 minutes and another from Fiontan O’Boyle, following a defensive mistake in the 23d minute saw Glenavy lead their hosts, Gort na Mona by 7 at half time in this IFC Group 2 opener at Enright Park on Wednesday night.
Gort na Mona had played second fiddle for the greater part of the opening half but were still in contention thanks to the long distance kicking of Shane Scullion and Tarlach Enright who both raised the orange flag.
Enright accounted for 7 of his sides total in the opening half with visitors Glenavy always in control and James Gallagher added 0-3 to his opening goal with their other goal scorer, Fiontan O’Boyle 0-2, Fergal Henry 0-3, Michael Johnston, Paddy Gallagher and Conor Hamill all raising white.
Gort na Mona needed a good start to the second half but instead it was the Chapel Hill side who exerted their authority again on the restart with James Gallagher 0-2, Fergal Henry 0-2 and Owen Gallagher adding 5 unanswered points by the 9th minute.
Jack Thompson raised Gort na Mona’s first flag of the second half with 11 minutes gone but this was quickly negated by a Fergal Henry fisted point at the other end.
Manus McMullan hit a second point for the men from the Mona Bye-Pass but again St. Joseph’s responded through a Fiontan O’Boyle point and a Fergal Henry free and it looked all over with 9 minutes of normal time remaining.
A fisted goal by the towering Christopher Carson after 23 minutes gave the home crowd something to cheer about and when Tarlach Enright pointed from distance to raise another orange they had closed the gap to eight with five minutes remaining.
It would be as close as they got however with Glenavy replying through a Fergal Henry free and a point from Owen Gallagher with Enright putting the gloss on a fine individual display with his third 2 pointer of the evening.
A great start for Glenavy who move top of Group 2 as St. Teresa’s and Naomh Comhghall played out a draw in their opening game on the Glen Road. Glenavy now meet St. Teresa’s at Chapel Hill on Saturday and a win there would put them in a strong position for qualification.
In the other game in the group, Naomh Comhghall entertain Davitt’s at Dunsilly and will feel they need a win after throwing away a four point lead with only minutes remaining against St. Teresa’s.
Gort na Mona: 1 Jack Ireland, 2 Darren Cahill, 3 Michael Savage, 4 Sean Campbell, 5 Tiarnan Morton, 6 Ciaran Donnelly, 7 Padraig Mulvenna, 8 Caoimhin Magee, 9 Dessie McClean, 20 Jack Thompson, 11 Christopher Carson, 12 Brendan Burns, 13 Shane Scullion, 14 Matthew McConnell, 15 Tarlach Enright
St. Joseph’s: 1 Matthew Lawlor, 2 Timmy Honeyford, 3 Ryan Malley, 4 Johnny Phillips, 5 Pearse O’Neill, 6 Conor Hamill, 20 Ruairi Forester, 8 Ciaran Loney, 9 Michael Johnston, 10 Owen Gallagher, 11 Fiontan O’Boyle, 12 Patrick Gallagher, 13 Finn Shannon, 14 James Gallagher, 15 Fergal Henry
Referee: Richard Leahy
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Intermediate Football Championship – Group 1 – Round 1
Wednesday 30th July
Report by Niall Kelly from Pairc Éanna
Naomh Éanna 0-13 Naomh Padraig 0-11
A trio of points in the dying embers of this engrossing encounter from Sean Murray, Conor Eastwood and the talismanic Stephen O’Connor helped salvage an opening win for St Enda’s at Hightown on Wednesday evening. With the visitors six to the good at half time after a dominating first half performance, the forecast wasn’t looking overly promising for the hosts. However, they emerged from the changing rooms for the second half a totally rejuvenated and hungrier side and produced a commanding display of football in the second half to seal the win. Three consecutive two-point efforts in the opening exchanges of the second period provided the fulcrum for their comeback, aided further by the fact they limited their opponents to a solitary score. There can be little doubt that the influence of Stephen O’Connor had a huge sway in proceedings as the Naomh Éanna centre forward contributed a total of 0-09 to his side’s 0-13 and was composure personified in front of the uprights.
In yet another tale of two halves, it was Naomh Padraig who maintained a stranglehold of proceedings for the first thirty minutes. Indeed, they made their intentions known straight from Seamus Shannon’s throw in as the towering Adam Patterson commandeered possession of the size 5 and bustled his way forward before despatching well from close range.
St Enda’s responded well though through O’Connor and his cultured right foot had reversed arrears with two superbly taken frees. However, this would be pretty much all the hosts could muster in front of goal in the first period as they lacked the same potency and poise in front of the posts that their counterparts had in abundance.
St Patrick’s were winning the battle in the middle third and their physicality and guile was coming up trumps. A flowing move involving Colm Burns and Che Smyth was finished off superbly by Eoin Dixon to level matters with ten minutes on the clock. The Kirkwoods Road side were purring nicely now and an incisive high ball in from Brendan McGarr was latched on to by Dixon again who doubled his tally to give his side the lead.
McGarr was at the heart of everything positive from Lisburn and his distribution would prove pivotal once more as another pinpoint long-range pass paved Jude Rafferty in on goal and despite a goal looking the more likely, he had to settle for a point as there was just a little too much loft on his close-range effort.
The hosts desperately sought to assert themselves on the game but couldn’t quite get to grips with the intensity and purpose of the men in blue. The few opportunities they did manage to create seemed to drop short or go the wrong side of the sticks.
Lisburn were in no mood to relent though, and it was Ben McMullan who was next to get his name on the scoresheet thanks to a marauding run which he then added the gloss to. McGarr then demonstrated that his shooting could certainly match his range of passing as he converted a monster two-point effort from range.
St Enda’s managed a reply with their next attack though thanks to that man O’Connor again form the placed ball on the twenty second minute. They looked to capitalise on this and bridge the gap further as the whistle approached but were perhaps a little too patient in their probing approach as Lisburn gained yet another turnover to launch a sweeping counterattack which McGarr finished with a beautifully angled effort. Che Smyth then followed this up instantly to open his account for the evening to leave the score at half time 0-03 to 0-09 in favour of the visitors.
Whether it was the hairdryer treatment or calming words of wisdom that the St Enda’s players were in receipt of during the interval from management, it certainly had the desired effect as they transformed into a different team for the second half. There was a spring to their step and more purpose to their attacks right from the outset. It was of course Stephen O’Connor who got them stirring, steering an outrageous two point effort from the outside of his boot over the bar. Perhaps inspired by his team-mate, Conor Eastwood then took responsibility on to his shoulders as he fired over another two pointer from range. Buoyed by these crucial scores, the hosts began attacking with a greater pace and precision and suddenly it was Lisburn on the back foot.
O’Connor would pounce yet again as he converted his second two point effort, this time from the placed ball, and suddenly the sides were level with twenty minutes still to play. Shell-shocked by the blitz they were under, Lisburn frantically sought respite with a score of their own but lacked the same authority in front of the posts as they had in the first as their wide count began to grow.
St Enda’s then edged into the lead midway through the half and yet again it was their trusty number 11 who did the damage. Brushing off tackle after tackle, O’Connor negotiated himself just enough space to curl over to the delight of the home fans.
With the game now approaching the business end, it was anyone’s guess who would emerge the victor as both went hammer and tongs to gain the ascendancy. With only five minutes remaining, it looked as though the pendulum may have swung in Lisburn’s favour as goalkeeper Ruadhan McKenna converted a long range free off the deck from outside the arc as they edged ahead once again.
However, an inspired finish from St Enda’s would prove the difference. Substitute Sean Murray angled his effort to perfection to level matters with only two minutes of normal time remaining before the hosts seized possession of the resulting kick-out. Conor Eastwood was then on hand to double his tally and regain a slender lead in the process.
With the game into time added on, Naomh Padraig pushed bodies forward in a last gasp attempt at salvaging something. As is usually the case, such an approach leaves you vulnerable to the counter and that is exactly what materialised and it seemed appropriate that Stephen O’Connor would rubber stamp the win with the final score of the game.
All in all, both teams deserve credit for a thoroughly entertaining display. This one had the feel and heart of a Championship game. Blood and thunder, heavy hits and above all the passion for victory. Despite the loss, St Patrick’s should be proud of their performance. Admittedly, the second half perhaps got away from them a little, but they proved in the first half exactly what they are capable of and will look to maintain this level of performance over the sixty when they meet Rasharkin on Saturday. For the hosts, their level of resilience will give them a springboard for their next game. The first half may certainly have fallen short of their expectations but the grit and determination displayed to get over the line in the second, will surely stand them in good stead.
Teams:
Naomh Éanna:
O Kennedy; J Lewis, D McNulty, C Browne; S McBride, K Jennings, E O’Hare; P O’Hare, F O’Connor; Z Kyle, S O’Connor (0-09) – (0-05 & 2 t.p,) O McKenna; P Doran, M Morgan, C Eastwood (0-03) – (0-01 & 1 t.p)
Substitute Scorer:
S Murray (0-01)
Naomh Padraig:
R McKenna (0-02) (1 t.p;) J McMullan, T Burns, L McCutcheon; J McMullan, B McMullan (0-01,) S Burns; B McGarr (0-03) (0-01 & 1 t.p,) A Patterson (0-01;) C Burns, C Ewing, J Morgan; J Rafferty (0-01,) C Smyth (0-01,) E Dixon (0-02)
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Intermediate Football Championship (Group One) Round One
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass 2-15 Patrick Sarsfield’s 0-12
Moneyglass opened their championship account on a positive mode recording a nine point win over the men from Sarsfield’s in a game which was most watchable in the opening period in a close fought affair that included finishing of quality with the home side led throughout by the excellence of Tyler Cassidy.
The Paddies had secured victory over St Ergnat’s on their last visit to Moneyglass to secure the league title and with a place secured in the top division next term probably arrived in a positive mode but there was to be no slip up in this one for the home side.
Moneyglass, no doubt well prepared for this one were quicker out of the start traps, with a Callum Duffin point earning early advantage and settling post game nerves. But the Paddies with Conor Moley leading by example in the centre were quick to settle and a couple of superbly struck two pointers from Brian Healey had them in front 0-05 to 0-04 just into the second quarter.
Mid-fielder Moley, having led the Sarsfields charge in the opening quarter, was forced out of action with a leg injury just into the second quarter, a bad blow for the Stewartstown Road men. His abscence was soon evident as the home side took control, standing firm in the defensive and with Aiden Mc Erlean adding a couple of two pointers and Tyler Cassidy, Tiernan Mc Cormick Colm Duffin, Paul Duffin, Colm Duffin raising white flags apiece the home side enjoyed advantage 0-11 to 0-08 at the end of the opening period.
The first half, having seen a treble of ‘two pointers’ despatched, was still much in its infancy without the services of the stricken Conor Moley when Garry Lennon despatched a long range effort between the St Ergnats posts to reduce the deficit, but the home side were quick to make reply as Seanaghan Duffin, well served by precision based Tyler Cassidy, planted the leather in the visitors’ net to put the home side four clear on 1-11 to 0-10, and they looked in control.
A point from the hard grafting Colm Duffin saw the home side increase their advantage and minutes later the Paddies were to be reduced in number when their medfielder received a red card which left them with a mountain to climb.
With Moneyglass leading the way on 1-13 to 0-10 thing got even better when they increased their advantage further via points from Sean Boyd and Paul Duffin to move eight clear.
However the home side were not allowed to down tools and take it easy on route to the finish line as the Paddies kept battling, with the excellent Brian Healy seeking to inspire by example.
But the home side had the upper hand and a superb Tyler Cassidy delivery was finished to the back of the net neatly by a Sean Boyd finish to put the icing on the cake of a notable performance and the perfect start to their championship campaign. The final whistle saw scenes of great celebration for the men in blue as they wrapped it all up on a scoreline of 2-15 to 0-11.
Sarsfields, having secured the league title with a victory secured at Moneyglass, now face an uphill struggle but as they have shown in their successful legue campaign they are more than capaple of turning things around. They face another tough task on Sunday next when they take on St Enda’s at the Bear Pit, a St Enda’s side who started their campaign with win against St Patrick’s Lisburn at Hightown last night.
Moneyglass having lost out in their battle to claim the league title have announce firm intention on travelling forward on the championship trail and impressed in this one with their youthful squad. They now have a two week lay-off before facing Naomh Eanna in Hightown on Sunday 17th August.
Referee – Conall Roberts
Moneyglass
Jimmy Mc Laughlin, Matthew Mullan, Zac Mc Caughan, James Mc Cormick, Tiernan Mc Cormick (0-02), Paul Duffin (0-02), Conleth Mc Cann, Kevin Mc Cann (0-01), Seanaghan (1-02) Duffin, Sean Boyd (1-03), Adam Mc Erlain (1 0 2*), Conor O’ Kane, Conor Boyd, Colm Duffin (0-02), Tyler Cassidy (0-02)
Subs
Callum Murray
Feargal Duffin
Callum Oisin Hamill
Sarsfields
Michael Brady, Liam Mitchell, Pearse Murray, Philip Mc Peake, Caolan Mc Donnell, Christopher Loughran, Conor Moley (0-01), Cormac Murray, Gerry Lennon (0-02)Thomas Skillen (0-02), Conor Laverty, Brian Healey (0- 7*) , Michael Brady, Caolan Mc Donnell, Pearse Murray
OB Construction Antrim Intermediate Football Championship, Group 2
St Teresa’s 2-13-1-16 St Comgall’s
Kevin Herron reports from Pairc MhicDhomhnaill/ÚiDhoctairtigh
ST TERESA’S rallied in injury time to ensure they claimed a point in their 2-13-1-16 draw with St Comgall’s in the opening round of the OB Construction Antrim Intermediate Football Championship at Pairc MhicDhomhnaill/ÚiDhoctairtigh on Wednesday evening.
It was a clash that saw last season’s Intermediate runners-up host the winners of the Junior Championship with St Comgall’s hoping to make a mark on their return to the Intermediate scene.
St Teresa’s made a lightning start with Anton Taylor claiming a two-pointer within the opening 60-seconds, he popped over the second score of the game and Eoghan Hamill perfectly lined up a further point for the hosts.
Conor O’Rawe fires over a St. Teresa’s point
Miles Devine got St Comgalls off the score with a point from a tight angle and that was the catalyst for their first purple patch that saw them claim a further five scores unanswered.
A converted free from Ryan Clarke followed and Ruairi Griffin then fisted over to reduce the deficit to the minimum.
The Antrim town outfit levelled when Tom Patchett swivelled and shot over and after St Teresa’s were caught with a two-man infringement, Patchett kicked the resulting free to edge his side ahead.
Devine doubled his tally in the aftermath to double Comgall’s advantage (0-6-0-04), however quickfire points from Niall McCann and Ryan Mallon drew the hosts level.
St Comgalls regained the lead when Ruairi Griffin doubled his tally for the half and they would push the lead to three by the 20th minute following a sensational Michael McCabe attempt that curled over at the near post and a converted Ryan Clarke free.
A much needed two-pointer from Sean Maguire narrowed the deficit and after Paul Johnston was felled John Mallon restored parity again.
Both sides traded further points before the break with McCabe conjuring another angled point and Anton Taylor replying with the last kick of the half to ensure the sides were tied at 0-10 apiece.
Like the opening half, St Teresa’s made a fast start and lead for the second time through a Pierce O’Rawe score from inside the arc, things got better when Sean Maguire played the ball to Taylor and he slipped a pass into the path of Eoghan Hamill to steer home the opening goal of the evening and make it 1-11-0-10.
Dylan Murdock, Naomh Comhghall gets out in front of Pierce O’Rawe, St. Teresa’s
There was a sense of deja vu when St Comgalls capitalised on a malfunction from Mark Smalls 36th minute kick-out and Tom Patchett went for placement after being slipped through- finding the bottom corner.
A two-pointed James McCabe free put his side back in the driving seat and McCabe then landed a 45’ after Small did well to divert Ryan Clarke’s low shot around the post.
Midway through the half a fisted Griffin point stretched the lead and a second 45’ of the half from James McCabe had St Comgall’s well placed for victory by the 52nd minute.
The hosts were in a spot of bother and without a score since Hamill’s early second half goal, but the ever reliable Anton Taylor ended a 20-minute scoreless period with his fourth score of the night.
St Comgall’s re-established their four-point lead when McCabe fed Tom Patchett and he sold two dummies before popping the ball over to give his side a 1-16-1-12 lead with minutes remaining.
It was an advantage they would hold until two minutes into added time when St Teresa’s set-up a grandstand finish.
They won a free within distance of the posts and after St Comgall’s concentration lapsed, Niall McCann rocketed his first time free to the net to make it 1-16-2-12.
Tom Patchett celebrates after scoring St. Comgall’s goal
St Teresa’s immediately sought a leveller at the very least and when Ryan Mallon picked out substitute Paul McGoldrick in space, McGoldrick opted for a fisted point to square the game up.
Neither side were able to claim a winning score in the dying embers as they settled for a point apiece at the conclusion.
ST TERESA’S: M Small, P Glennon, P Johnston, A Dugan, C O’Rawe, E Connolly, R Mallon (0-1), C McGoldrick, P O’Rawe (0-1), J Mallon (0-1f), S Maguire (1×0-2pt), D McCann, E Hamill (1-1), N McCann (1-1), A Taylor (0-5, 1×0-2pt). Subs: P McGoldrick (0-1) for P Glennon (24), P Maguire for E Hamill (57).
ST COMGALL’S: M Emery, S Og Gribbon, E Lynott, S HInfey, D Murdock, J McCabe (0-4, 1×0-2ptf, 0-2 45’), M McCabe (0-2), L Higgins, J Henry, R Griffin (0-3), M Devine (0-2), A McGaw, T Patchett (1-03, 0-1f), L Phinn, R Clarke (0-2, 0-1f). Subs: L McAleer for D Murdock (51), A McHugh for A McGaw (57). REFEREE: Kevin Parke (Naomh Eanna)
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The Football Championship gets under way tonight (Wednesday) with the Intermediate series getting the 2025 campaign up and running and four games scheduled for tonight’s programme.
The Junior and senior follow at the week-end with games on Friday Saturday and Sunday.
Wednesday 30th August
Intermediate Football Championship (Group One)
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v Patrick Sarsfield’s
(Moneyglass) 7.30pm
The opening game in the IFC looks likely to be a close fought affair bringing together the top sides in the second grade with the league winners Sarsfield’s travelling to Moneyglass hoping to build on their last visit in the league where they clinched the title with an away win..
Moneyglass were division two contenders for most of the season but that win for Sarsfields swung it firmly in their direction and St. Ergnat’s will be looking for a different conclusion to this meeting.
The Paddies gained a 1-17 to 1-14 win in that one and with the Division Two league title clinched they will travel to the South West on a quest to get their Intermediate Championship campaign off to a positive start.
This one is certain to attract a good attendance where ground advantage and a vociferous home support may aid St Ergnat’s to an opening day win but it is likely again to be close.
St Enda’s v St Patrick’s Lisburn (Hightown)
IFC Hightown – Wednesday 7-30
Glengormley based St Enda’s improved in the latter stages of their division 2 league campaign and could be running into form just at the right time as the Intermediate Championship gets underway.
St Patrick’s have made forward strides over the past couple of years and having gathered a 12 point haul in the league this term and they do seem set on a forward march at present.
St Patrick’s will travel to Glengormley looking to build on a descent league campaign and this one could be mighty close but home advantage could edge it in the way of the Hightown side.
IFC Group Two
Gort na Mona v St Joseph’s Glenavy
Wednesday – 7.30pm Enright Park
St. Joseph’s Glenavy finished their league campaign with a good win over St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass and could be running into a bit of form as the Champioship gets underway.
The sides played out a 1-14 to 1-14 draw at Enright Park in the league back in March and despite a poor division 2 league campaign Gort na Mona could again put it up to their visitors on Wednesday night and this may well be a close one but Glenavy will enter the fray as favourites on present form and they may well gain the day.
Last year’s beaten finalists, St. Teresa’s will be hoping to go one better this year and should open with a win when they entertain Naomh Comhghall Antrim.
Naomh Comhghall gained promotion from Division 3 last season and consolidated their position in division 2 this term and that will have been seen as success for the Antrim town side.
Manager Barry Burns will be hoping to collect a few scalps in the Intermediate championship however and Naomh Comhghall will travel to Belfast hoping to get their campaign off to a winning start but St. Teresa’s greater experience should see them off to a wining start.
Friday 1st August 7-30pm
Junior Football Championship Group 2
Pearses v Wolfe Tones
Pearses recorded a massive victory in the league over Friday night’s opponents back in June and should start their JFC campaign with a win over Wolfe Tones.
JFC Group 2 – Friday 7-30
Laochra Loch Lao v Eire Og
Laochra Loch Lao pushed St. Agnes close in the race for the league title and with home advantage at Colaiste Feirste should prove too good for Eire Og.
SFC Group 3 Ballymena 7-30 Friday
All Saints v Kickham’s Creggan Quinn Park
These sides met last Wednesday night in the division 1 league final at Dunsilly with Creggan emerging winners to claim the title. Only two points separated them on that occasion but Creggan were minus a number of players likely to start at Quinn Park while All Saints will welcome back the suspended Kavan Keenan.
Creggan have a good record over the Ballymena side in recent years and should start their Group 3 campaign with an away win
SFC Group 2 Friday – (August 1st)
Casement’s v Con Magee’s Glenravel – (Kelly Park) 7.30 pm
This all South West encounter sees Portglenone and Glenravel meet at Kelly Park in the opening round of the championship which should attract a good crowd.
Both the contestants enjoyed a positive league campaign with the home side finishing in 5th place but this will count for little in the championship.
Casement’s will start as favourites and ground advantage may well give them the edge but the Glensmen will travel confident of giving it their best shot but home advantage should swing it in favour of Casement’s.
Sat 2nd August
Senior Football Championship (Group 1)
Saturday (Toome) 6.00pm
Cargin v Tir na nOg
Reigning senior champions Erin’s Own Cargin begin their 2025 campaign as they play hosts to the men from Whitehill in a game in which they will start as firm favourites.
Ronan Devlin’s men lost to All Saints in the league semi-final but were short quite a number of regulars and are likely to be stronger for the championship opener.
Tir na nOg struggled in the league this term but with the threat of a relegation play-off out of the way they can now turn their attention to the championship.
They gave the Erin’s Own men a run for their money when they visited in the league and are sure to give it a real lash in Toome on Saturday.
Cargin have endured more than a few injuries this term but they do have a strong ‘bench’ at their disposal and should earn an opening victory.
.SFC Group 2 Saturday 7-00pm – Crumlin
St. James v O’Donovan Rossa (Crumlin)
This does look like a close game in prospect as St James Aldergrove play hosts to a Rossa side which has struggled to get it together in the league but should field stronger in the championship and this one could go either way with home advantage possibly edging it St. James way.
IFC Group 2 Round 2
Glenavy v St. Teresa’s
Saturday – 2-00pm – Chapel Hill
The Intermediate Football championship continues at pace with both sides having been involved in an opening round game on Wednesday night and at the time of writing those results were not known.
Glenavy finished their league campaign with a win over Moneyglass and could edge this one.
IFC Saturday Kirkwood Park 6-00pm
Naomh Padraig v Rasharkin
Naomh Padraig will face a St. Mary’s Rasharkin side who finished bottom of division 2 following an injury ravaged season and who will be playing their football in division 3 next year.
The men from Dreen will be keen to finish their season on a positive note but Naomh Padraig should have enough to win this one.
Junior Football Champioship Group 1
Sunday 2-00pm
St. Agnes v Ardoyne
St. Agnes already have a league title under their belts and will start as favourites to complete the double. They face an Ardoyne side who were the only team to beat them in the league when they met at Fennell Park.
Naomh Una reversed that result back in June at Sunday’s venue on their way to the league title and will start as favourites but this one could be close.
JFC Group 1 – 2-00pm Sunday
St. Malachy’s v O’Donnell’s-Cherryvale
This one could be mighty close but St. Malachy’s enjoyed a much stronger league campaign and on that form should get off to a winning start in Group 1
Cuchullian’s Dunloy v St John’s
SFC Group 1 Sunday 4.00pm (Dunloy)
Although it took St John’s a while to get it together in their league campaign the Corrigan side came strong in the latter stages to banish any thoughts of relegation.
Cuchullian’s fared more than well in the league, finishing in mid-table and they have been touted as potential senior championship challengers for a time as they play hosts to the experienced Johnnies.
Ground advantage will ensure Dunloy will start this one as firm favourites but although St John’s did not impress in the league they are more than capable of improvement and they will travel with confidence.
SFC Group 3
Sunday – 2-00pm Hannastown
Group 2
Lamh Dhearg v St. Gall’s
Lamh Dhearg and St. Gall’s cross swords in the opening game in Group 3 in Hannastown in a game that is sure to be keenly contested and could go either way. Only a point separated these sides in the league table with St. Gall’s finishing on 16 and Lamh Dhearg a point behind on 15 and there is likely to be little between them in this one with a draw not to be ruled out.
.
St. Mary’s Aghagallon v St. Mary’s Ahoghill
Saturday 6-00pm – SFC Group 4 – Pairc Na Gael
It’s been an extremely difficult season for St. Mary’s Ahoghill and they dropped out of division 1 after a long spell in the top division. With falling numbers the Cloney side have decided to rebuild in division 2 next season but will be keen to give it one final bash in the SFC as they travel to Pairc Na Gael to face their namesakes, St. Mary’s Aghagallon.
The Aghagallon side have struggled this season themselves but looked to be running into a bit of form when they entertained All Saints in their final league game and with home advantage should win this one.
SFC Group 4 – Musgrave Park – Sunday – 4-00pm
St. Brigid’s v St. Paul’s
St. Brigid’s have their sights firmly fixed on a first Senior Championship win and this seemed to have been confirmed when they withdrew from a league semi-final meeting with Creggan last weekend.
They entertain a St. Paul’s side who gained promotion from division 2 last season and have acquitted themselves well in the higher grade, finishing well clear of the relegation zone.
With home advantage St. Brigid’s should have enough to get their Group 4 campaign off to a winning start but they are likely to face a battling challenge from the Shaw’s Road side.
IFC Group 1- Round 2
Sarsfield’s v St. Enda’s – 2-00pm – Sunday -2-00pm – Bear Pit
League winners Sarsfields should have enough to edge this one if they survive Wednesday night’s meeting with Moneyglass without any major setbacks but they will not get it all their own way against an improving St. Enda’s.
IFC Group 2 – Round 2
Naomh Comhghall v Davitt’s
Dunsilly – 2-00pm Sunday
Davitt’s make their championship bow against a Naomh Comhghall side who opened their campaign away to St. Teresa’s on Wednesday night and depending on that result, the Antrim town side look capable of repeating their league win over the Falls Road side at the same venue earlier in the season but it could be close.
