Division 4 FL: Buttevant look to move clear at the top

Since the start of the McCarthy Insurance Group Football League this season, there has always been a Division 1 or Division 2 fixture that gets the weekend rolling on a Thursday.

That isn’t the case this time around with Round 5 of the fixtures down for decision over the next few days. There are a number of games from down the divisions taking place this evening.

In Division 4, Buttevant will look to go two points clear at the top and also get back to winning ways when they host Bantry Blues with throw-in at 7pm. At the moment, the black and amber are joint leaders with Bandon.

The North Cork team won their first three games following victories over Adrigole, Glanmire and Nemo Rangers' second team, but fell to an away loss last time out against Bandon, 1-20 to 2-14.

The Premier Junior outfit are going for a third successive promotion this year, which would be unprecedented for Joey Hanlon’s charges.

Their opposition are two championship grades above them, but that doesn’t hold too much water around this time of year with teams missing players for various reasons.

After a turbulent start, losing the first three games, Bantry Blues edged out Nemo Rangers' second team on home soil nearly two weeks ago for a timely victory, 2-10 to 0-14.

Prior to that, the West Cork team, who have former Cork footballer Colm O’Driscoll coaching them, would have been disappointed with their performances. They lost away to Boherbue, 2-13 to 0-10 then at home to Adrigole, 1-12 to 1-10 before going under away at Glanmire, 2-10 to 0-10.

Moving down to Division 6 and it’s a battle between two teams looking to kickstart their campaign this evening.

Cullen welcome Na Piarsaigh to North Cork for a 7pm start time in a meeting between two Premier Junior sides.

The home team do have three points on the board after their four games, but technically they still haven’t won a game on merit after their opening game was a walkover against St Michael’s second team. Cullen won Division 7 last year and will be looking to push on again this year.

Na Piarsaigh are still yet to register any points and they also have a -47 scoring difference after just four games.

The decline of the black and amber when it comes to the big ball is worrying and sad in equal measure. They were in the top-tier of the Cork football championship in 2012. They were close to returning two years later, but they were beaten by Valley Rovers in the PIFC final.

The last few years have been tough for all concerned when it comes to football in the northside club. They have suffered back-to-back championship relegations. They will be hoping to firstly avoid that again in the Premier Junior ranks later this year.

Finally, there are two games taking place from Division 7 this evening.

Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels host Inniscarra (7.15pm) while Ballygarvan entertain Nemo Rangers' third team (7pm).

Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels are the leaders with four wins from four for the Avondhu Junior A side, but that will be tested against last year’s County JAFC winners Inniscarra, who are only two points behind.

Ballygarvan are in mid-table with four points, but have lost the last two games while Nemo have just the one point from four games.