JUST one group has its quarter-final qualifiers decided in the Antrim Senior Football Championship heading into the final round of matches, with half of the competition’s last-eight spots up for grabs.
That group in Group 1, where Lamh Dhearg and Dunloy lead the way with two wins apiece ahead of their meeting in Ballymena on Sunday.
Neither side has been tested so far with both enjoying comfortable wins over Aldergrove and St Enda’s, who meet at Corrigan Park on Sunday.
Things aren’t so clear elsewhere, however, with three teams still in the mix for the top two spots in Group 4.
Despite winning their first two matches, St Brigid’s aren’t guaranteed a place in the quarters, with the Division One champions needing at least a point from their encounter with Aghagallon – the second part of a Corrigan Park double-header on Sunday.
A St Brigid’s defeat throws the group wide open, with Aghagallon joining the south Belfast side on four points and Creggan expected to do the same when they face winless St Gall’s at Lamh Dhearg on Saturday.
That would take things to scoring difference, with St Brigid’s currently leading the way on plus-nine, ahead of Creggan on zero and Aghagallon on minus-one.
The other two groups only have one available quarter-final spot, with reigning champions Cargin already through in Group 2 and Portglenone qualified from Group 3.
Both sections will see head-to-head clashes for those spots, with west Belfast rivals O’Donovan Rossa and St John’s meeting at Lamh Dhearg on Sunday in Group 2 and Moneyglass and Ahoghill playing in Portglenone on Friday night in Group 3
Rossa and St John’s both recorded their only victories against Randalstown, while losing heavily to Cargin, who play Randalstown in their final group match at Dunsilly on Friday night.
In the all-south-west Antrim Group 3, Moneyglass and Ahoghill both went down to Portglenone, while recording their only victories against last year’s intermediate champions Glenravel. Portglenone put their unbeaten record on the line against Glenravel in Ballymena on Sunday.
Group One
Sunday, September 1
St Enda’s v Aldergrove (Corrigan Park, 1pm); Dunloy v Lamh Dhearg (Ballymena, 1pm)
Group Two
Friday, August 30
Randalstown v Cargin (Dunsilly, 6.45pm)
Saturday, August 31
St John’s v Rossa (Lamh Dhearg, 5pm)
Group Three
Friday, August 30
Moneyglass v Ahoghill (Portglenone, 6.45pm)
Sunday, September 1
Glenravel v Portglenone (Ballymena, 3pm)
Group Four
Saturday, August 31
Creggan v St Gall’s (Lamh Dhearg, 3pm)
Sunday, September 1
Aghagallon v St Brigid’s (Corrigan Park, 3pm)
