Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship
THE 'Group of Death' in the Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship could have some certainty come close of play tomorrow evening.
With St John's leading the way in Group One thanks to their handsome first round win over St Gall's, they make the short trip to Hannahstown to face Lámh Dhearg (6pm, live stream available) knowing another two points will stamp their ticket into the quarter-finals.
The Johnnies have looked a little more expansive in their approach this year but will be tested to the full by the Red Hands who will know defeat could leave them in serious danger of crashing out before the business end, so this is a game that is expected to go right to the wire.
A draw at defending champions Creggan in the opening round was a decent result for Lámh Dhearg who were seconds from a huge win after Conor Murray thumped home a late goal, but Ruairi McCann's pointed 45 at the death leaves the group delicately balanced.
Kickham's are at a rebuilding St Gall's (2pm) and will be expected to bank the win that would eliminate the hosts with a game to spare and put themselves on the brink of qualification.
In Group Two, it is must-win for St Brigid's as they host Moneyglass (2pm) having come away from Portglenone empty-handed in their opening fixture, in contrast to the St Ergnat's side that benefited from a pair of Dermott McErlaine goals in the second half to overcome Ahoghill.
Should the South West side prevail and Portglenone emerge victorious at their neighbours from Ahogill in the 6pm game, then both victors will be through to the last eight.
It's not quite that simple as the 'Biddies' will take much from their opening defeat as they performed well for long stages against the group favourites before falling away last, while Ahoghill have made a habit of taking down Casement's on home turf in recent years.
Groups Three and Four have three teams apiece, so Aghagallona and Cargin get respective byes this weekend having won their opening games.
In Three, Gort na Móna know defeat at home to Tír na nÓg (2pm) will see their season end having lost out to last year's runners-up in the opening game when the Randalstown side sat it out.
It's an identical scenario for Naomh Éanna in Group Four who lost to Erin's Own a fortnight ago, so a loss at home to O'Donovan Rossa (2pm, live stream available) who enter the fray for the first time in the competition will see them eliminated.
A draw in either game would leave both teams in play, but hoping for a result in their favour in the final round.
