Penultimate weekend in the McCarthy Insurance Group Football Leagues

THE second last weekend of the McCarthy Insurance Group Football Leagues have arrived with so much still to sort out.

Let’s get straight into it. Nemo Rangers will book their spot in the Division 1 league final if they can get the better of Carbery Rangers in Rosscarbery on Sunday. Robbie O’Dwyer’s side are at the summit with eleven points from seven games but crucially are two points ahead of St Finbarr’s and Cill na Martra respectively, with both having played a game more than Nemo.

After a positive start to the season, things have gone south for Carbery Rangers and will be seeking to avoid a fourth straight loss here. Seamus Hayes’ charges occupy the final relegation place with bottom side Ballincollig already down and have completed their league programme. Ross have five points, a point behind Éire Óg and Douglas. A win would mean everything for the West Cork side as they try to rediscover their early season form.

Second placed Carrigaline will make the league final if they defeat Castlehaven away from home. The other side of the coin, if the Haven were to win, they would go level on points with Carrigaline heading into the final weekend. This one has the potential to be a cracker with both sides going for a win.

There’s a lot on the line for Éire Óg as they host Newcestown. The Ovens side are third from bottom with only a point separating themselves and Carbery Rangers. Jim O’Sullivan’s Newcestown are nicely nestled in mid-table on eight points in their first season back up in Division 1.

Douglas are also in need of valuable league points when they welcome St Finbarr’s to Douglas tomorrow. A point above the drop zone, Brian Collins’ side know if they can manage to nail down a victory against their rivals, it could go a long way to securing safety.

This is the Barrs final match of the season and simply have to win if they want any chance of making it to the league final and an opportunity to defend the title they won last season.

The picture should become a lot clearer on Sunday afternoon. The fact the leaders Nemo have eleven points which would normally be enough to make the top two, down to Castlehaven in mid-table, are separated by three points illustrates how exciting this Division 1 campaign has been. But the smart money would be on Nemo and Carrigaline to have enough to make the league final.

The full fixture list from all of the divisions are below. The other six divisions were covered in detail in Wednesday’s and Thursday’s paper as we near the end game of the league season.

MCCARTHY INSURANCE GROUP FOOTBALL LEAGUE FIXTURES (at the time of writing) 

FRIDAY

Division 4: Bantry Blues v Aghabullogue, 8pm.

Division 5: Glenville v Dromtarriffe, 8pm.

SATURDAY 

Division 1: Douglas v St Finbarr’s, 7pm.

Division 3: Mallow v Nemo Rangers, 3pm.

Division 4: Boherbue v Glanworth, 5pm.

Division 5: Adrigole v Ballydesmond, 6pm; Kinsale v Kilmurry, 7pm.

Division 6: St Nick’s v St Michael’s, 3pm.

Division 7: Urhan v Argideen Rangers, 8pm.

SUNDAY, 11.30am UNLESS STATED 

Division 1: Carbery Rangers v Nemo Rangers; Castlehaven v Carrigaline; Éire Óg v Newcestown.

Division 2: Clonakilty v O’Donovan Rossa; Clyda Rovers v Valley Rovers; Dohenys v Knocknagree; St Michael’s v Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh, 12.30pm.

Division 3: Aghada v Kanturk; Bishopstown v Kilshannig; Newmarket v Macroom.

Division 4: Bandon v Iveleary; Glanmire v St Vincent’s; Ilen Rovers v Naomh Abán.

Division 5: Buttevant v Millstreet; Na Piarsaigh v Mitchelstown.

Division 6: Mayfield v Kildorrery; Gabriel Rangers v Cobh, 12.30pm.

Division 7: Castlemagner v Canovee; Cullen v St James’; St Finbarr’s v Ballyhooly.