McCarthy Insurance Group FL preview: St Finbarr's look to maintain positive start
St Finbarr's Ian O’Callaghan on the move against Newcestown. Picture: Noel Sweeney
St Finbarr’s will look to maintain their positive start at the top of the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 Football League this weekend.
It’s the fifth round of fixtures across the seven divisions in what is another busy few days, with just four more games remaining for the majority of clubs in the regular league season after this weekend.
The Barrs, reigning Division 1 League winners and Premier SFC champions, entertain Carbery Rangers in Togher on Sunday in what should be a fascinating battle. Brian Roche’s side are unbeaten with two wins and two draws, but their visitors sit just two points behind.
St Finbarr's are joint-top with Cill na Martra.
After opening with two defeats, Carbery Rangers appear to have turned a corner as they chase a third successive victory — and a major scalp — against St Finbarr’s.
Knocknagree are upwardly mobile on five points as they welcome struggling Douglas to Duhallow on Sunday. John Fintan Daly’s charges have enjoyed a positive spell, helped by back-to-back one-point wins in recent weeks over Clonakilty and Nemo Rangers.
Douglas haven’t got going so far, losing all four of their games and carrying a -28 scoring difference. They conceded five goals in their heavy home defeat to Carbery Rangers last time out.
The third Division 1 encounter this weekend is the meeting of Newcestown and Clonakilty tomorrow in Newcestown. The home side have played just three games to date but have amassed four points. They are always difficult to beat on their own patch and held St Finbarr’s to a draw there a fortnight ago.
Clonakilty sit on five points but have picked up just one point from their last two outings. They will be keen to get back on track as soon as possible.
In Division 2, leaders Carrigaline will be fancied to make it four wins from five when they host O’Donovan Rossa tomorrow. Michael Meaney’s team are pushing hard for an immediate return to the top tier.
Elsewhere in that division, there’s a very tasty Muskerry derby between local rivals Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh and Uibh Laoire on Sunday. Both sides are near the top of the table, with Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh on four points and their neighbours two points ahead.
In Division 3, Bishopstown and Kanturk — both on six points — lock horns on Sunday.
Division 3: Mallow v Newmarket, 8pm.
Division 4: Macroom v Adrigole, 7.30pm.
Division 6: Dromtarriffe v Cullen, 7.15pm.
Division 7: Mayfield v Passage West, 7pm.
Division 1: Newcestown v Clonakilty, 12 noon.
Division 2: Carrigaline v O’Donovan Rossa, 4pm.
Division 4: Nemo Rangers v Glanmire, 3pm; Kilmurry v Buttevant, 7pm.
Division 6: Kilmacabea v Glanworth, 6pm.
Division 7: Carbery Rangers v Donoughmore, 3pm.
Division 1: St Finbarr’s v Carbery Rangers, 10.30am; Knocknagree v Douglas, 10.45am.
Division 2: Ballincollig v Dohenys, 10.45am; Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh v Uibh Laoire, 11.30am.
Division 3: Rockchapel v Kilshannig, 10am; Bishopstown v Kanturk, 11am; Aghabullogue v Fermoy, 10.30am.
Division 4: Aghada v Kiskeam, 11am; Gabriel Rangers v Boherbue, 11.30am.
Division 5: Bantry Blues v Millstreet, 11am; Kinsale v Mitchelstown, 10.30am; St Vincent’s v Ilen Rovers, 11.30am.
Division 6: Glenville v Argideen Rangers, 10.30am; Cobh v Aghinagh, 11.30am; Na Piarsaigh v Kildorrery, 10.30am.
Division 7: Ballygarvan v Nemo Rangers, 11am; Castlemagner v St James’, 10.30am.
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