Antrim Senior Football Championship
THREE top footballing sides - St John's, St Paul's and St Teresa's - have already exited the Antrim Senior Football Championship and four more will be on the scrap heap by Saturday evening, when this season's quarter-finals will be completed.
Without a shadow of a doubt, the meeting of St Gall's and Cargin on Friday evening is the glamour tie in games which run from Thursday to Saturday. Protagonists at various stages of the Championship and league battles over the years, including last season's final, it is perhaps unfortunate one of the big two will exit the event early.
When it comes to the Championship, eight in-a-row winners St Gall's have brushed aside all challenges, including the Toome side, in three of those deciders, as well as semi-final encounters.
Failing to perform on the big occasion has cost Cargin dearly in the past and perhaps meeting at the quarter-final stage this year could be something of a blessing in disguise. At present, the country side tops the Senior Football League, albeit by a single point, from their great rivals who still have a game in hand, but one of their two defeats (1-13 to 1-10) was at the hands of the Milltown men earlier in the season.
This game at Ahoghill will attract a huge following. In many people’s minds, it is the final at an earlier stage and, with ground advantage and without a final tag around their necks,the Erin's Own side must have a great chance of halting the St Gall's steamroller.
While there will be battles of major proportions all over the pitch between players of the highest calibre, the performances of two individuals could play a big part in the outcome. Similarly built, similarly skilled and playing a similar type of football, Cargin's Tomás McCann and the champions' CJ McGourty have proved match winners in the past, and it would be surprising if they don’t again have the final say in what should be a super game.
As to the outcome, perhaps a toss of a coin is the best method of picking a winner, although Cargin, with new manager John Brennan back at the helm, must have a great chance this time. St Gall's, on the other hand, ooze confidence at Championship time and, with 13 titles secured since they made the breakthrough in 2001, it will take a superhuman effort to dethrone such a confident array of talent.
On Thursday evening at Moneyglass, Creggan and Ahoghill get the quarter-finals underway in what again looks like a close run thing. The St Mary's lads already have a game under their belts - they were 1-13 to 1-10 winners against St Paul's in a preliminary round tie, and this could prove important as Kickham's start from cold.
If league form is anything to go by, then Creggan should win handily. Away at Ahoghill, they won by 11 points and, at home, had a nine-point victory, with St Mary's only able to score a total of nine points in both encounters. Tenacity is Ahoghill's middle name and, despite winning just five of their 16 league games, it is worth noting they held both Cargin and St Gall's to a single point in league encounters and can obviously lift their game the greater the occasion.
Creggan start favourites and their big, strong side, in which the Johnsons among others play a vital part, should have the edge against the Graham and O’Connell-powered St Mary's outfit.
Rossa against Aldergrove is a slightly lower key affair, but not in the eyes of the sides involved. While both have had a struggle in the senior league, they looked well matched and should put on a good show at Hannahstown on Friday evening.
With just 10 league points secured by the Belfast side and six by Aldergrove, who stare relegation in the face after a rather bumpy Division One campaign to date, it is unlikely either will break much delph in this year's event. There is a very fine line between the sides, Rossa winning by four points at home and Aldergrove recording a three-point home success. Perhaps the Hannahstown venue will give Rossa the edge and a semi-final clash with either Portglenone or Lámh Dearg.
Creggan on Saturday evening, then, is the venue for the Casement's against Hannahstown show down, with both sides well warmed up after preliminary round ties. The south-west side beat St Teresa's handily enough,1-14 to 0-9, but Lámh Dhearg against St John's was truly a very tough test, which they survived,1-12 to 2-7.
Lámh Dhearg have had a very strong league run and still cannot be ruled out for honours, although their fate depends on the fortunes of others. More importantly, they have already beaten the south-west outfit, 1-13 to 0-11, and must begin favourites. Casement's will prove a tough nut to crack, especially with Niall McKeever back at his brilliant best and the Delargy brothers' contribution in defence and attack is something Lámh Dhearg will have to factor in.
Still, they look to have the fire power to deal with the Bannsiders. The Murrays - Conor and Ryan - Michael Herron, Gerard Slane and Karl Maxwell could prove a handful, suggesting Lámh Dhearg should book their semi-final place.
