Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship (all games 7.15pm)
A MEETING of Belfast's big two is always a keenly-contested encounter, but when Rossa host St John's in Group Two of the Antrim Senior Football Championship tonight (7.15pm, streamed live) both clubs' future in this year's competition will be at stake.
Stephen Beatty's last-gasp equaliser in the meeting between the teams three weeks ago rescued a point for Sean Fleming's Rossa who will have taken a lot of confidence from their performance that night against a Johnnies team that has had their number in recent years.
A decisive result either way will see the victors join Lámh Dhearg in the knockout stages, whilst a draw may be enough for Rossa who take on the already qualified Red Hands next week.
The first meeting ebbed and flowed with Rossa building a good lead before a Matthew Fitzpatrick goal brought the Johnnies to life after having a first-half penalty saved, but Fleming is not expecting tonight's game to be a replica of the first.
"It will be tight and a bit like the last game that could have went either way, but I don't expect not to be the same game as the weather will be different," he said.
"The first game was a nice night, dry pitch and both teams were a lot fresher as it was the beginning of the Championship campaign. It was out first outing and we hadn't played hurling at that stage, whereas St John's had the one game against Lámh Dhearg.
"But now, we've had two games in football in hurling and they've had three and two. To be fair, both clubs are working off the same panels as they have a big per centre of their players, like ours, who are dual players.
"Not that it will detract from the intensity and effort from both, but just a bit different as it is a do-or-die game for both. I know if it's a draw it gives us a second chance against Lámh Dhearg so St John's will be coming up knowing they have to win."
John Kelly's St John's are very much in the last chance saloon following two defeats to Lámh Dhearg that leave them on the brink of elimination.
Victory is their only way to the quarter-finals, whilst Rossa will know they are in the same position so this is a de facto knockout clash between these old rivals.
Games such as this are simply about the result and whilst a performance to match would be nice for the Rossa manager, he is only concerned whether his players can get over the line against a team that carry a huge attacking threat through the aforementioned Fitzpatrick, Patrick McBride and Domhnall Nugent.
Fleming will assess the fitness of several players who have been carrying knocks during what has been a hectic schedule over two codes, but says the team that takes the field will have just one thing in mind.
"This is what Championship's all about - laying it all on the line and hopefully you get out what you put into it," he added.
"Maybe that hasn't been the case for Rossa over the last few weeks, but tomorrow night is just all about the result and that's the same for both teams.
"It's a while since Rossa beat St John's in the Senior Football Championship and we'll be hoping to change that tomorrow night."
Group One
Kickham's, Creggan v Casement's, Portglenone
With two wins from two, Creggan are sitting pretty on top of Group One and they host a. Portglenone side this evening whose progression to the knockout stages hangs by a thread.
The Bannsiders came up three points short against Creggan on home turf so will be keen to return the favour this time. Even one point would help them breathe slightly easier in what is their final group game given they are level with Ahoghill who have their second game against Kickham's still to come, but Portglenone do have a superior scoring difference.
Creggan have made a good start to their challenge this year and will have their sights on challenging for the title, so will not want to lose their winning momentum, especially at home, and whilst this game could be tight, the hosts are taken to edge it.
Group Three
St Mary's, Aghagallon v Erin's Own, Cargin
The heat is off both of these teams as they have both secured their place in the knockout stages, so the only issue to be resolved is who comes first and second.
A fifth win out of five for Cargin will confirm the defending champions finish top of the tree in this, the only four-team group in the round robin stage.
Damien Cassidy has been able to rotate his team a little and introduce some new faces with Sean go O'Neill impressing when given the opportunity but he may wish to get the job wrapped up this evening against Kevin Murray's Aghagallon who know they could pip the defending champions to top spot with victory here and a good win in their final game.
St James', Aldergrove v St Brigid's
This is something of a dead rubber for these teams who know they will not be advancing any further in the competition.
Aldergrove came up having won the Intermediate grade last year but have found the going tough, suffering two heavy defeats to Cargin and one to Aldergrove who they play next week, but they did fare better against tonight's opponents at Musgrave Park, going down by just five with Seamus McGarry prominent.
St Brigid's have won back-to-back U21 titles in recent years and have a youthful team that could well turn into a solid senior group isn the years ahead and perhaps will be a little disappointed they couldn't have got something from either of the Aghagallon games to keep them in the hunt, but as it is, they will go into this game keen to put further consolation points on the board and ought to do so.
Group Four
St Gall's v Gort na Móna
This game will not go ahead with St Gall's claiming the points following a positive Covid-19 test in Gort na Móna last week. The Turf Lodge club initially confirmed there would be no club activity for two weeks, but will return at senior level for Sunday's Intermediate Hurling Championship, a couple of days earlier. This means that St Gall's have qualified for the knockout stages with Naomh Éanna who they face next week to decide who comes first and second in the group.
