Down Ladies fixtures and round-up

Saturday 3rd April @ 6:00pm
Senior League, Bryansford v Castlewellan (G. Tumelty), Rostrevor v Clonduff (B Andrews), Bredagh v Carryduff (C. Reynolds), Downpatrick v Saval (E. McElroy),
Intermediate League, Annaclone v Shamrocks (R. Barry), Bright v Ballymartin (G. Corrigan), Mayobridge v Bredagh (P. Gelston), Burren v Kilcoo (G. Brannigan),
Junior League, St Johns v St Michaels (M. O’Rourke), Saul v Drumgath (J. McMullan), Tullylish v Loughinisland (M. Devlin), Teconnaught v Aughlisnafin (O. Burke)

The Down Ladies Senior, Intermediate and Junior leagues get underway this coming Saturday 3rd April. Please note the earlier throw-in time of 6pm for all games.

In the Senior division, Bredagh will be looking to consolidate their position as top dogs with an opening day win against neighbours Carryduff. The Belles had a fantastic season in 2009 and they will be keen build on their resurgence. Carryduff skipped through the intermediate league and will relish the challenge that senior status presents. They are guaranteed to battle to the end but the Belles should have enough strength in depth to pick up their first two points of the season. Clonduff make the short journey to Petit Pairc to take on close neighbours Rostrevor. The yellows had a dismal season last term by their standards and they will want to set an early marker that they are back on track. Rostrevor managed to retain their senior status but they found the going tough for long stretches of the season, they will however be a year older and wiser but a shock win against such seasoned opponents is not expected. Downpatrick and Saval in Newry throws up an interesting pairing as both teams play very open, attack minded football. This is likely to be a close encounter but home advantage may just be enough to see Saval through. The big game is between Castlewellan and Bryansford and the competitive rivalry that exists will make this a fixture not to be missed. Both sides finished just behind Bredagh in the final league shake-up and they will been seen at the teams best placed to challenge for honours this term. The result of this game may set the tone for the season so the result will be pivotal not to mention the bragging rights that accompany such a fixture.
In the intermediate league, Annaclone relegated from the senior ranks take on a youthful Shamrocks outfit. Shamrocks after a late push finished joint 2nd in the league and they are capable of matching most teams. Annaclone are wily old campaigners and if their re-building has gone to plan they should be a force to reckon with in 2010. Ballymartin make the trek to Bright in a tough opening fixture for both sides. The points were shared between them last term with one win apiece and the closeness of the games should again be no different. Bright and Ballymartin have both made management changes and they will be keen to get off to a good start so it may come down to home advantage but I wouldn’t be surprised to hear of a lilywhite victory at the long whistle. Mayobridge take their first steps into intermediate football after waltzing through the junior ranks and they will find themselves up against a very capable Bredagh 2nd string. The sky blues have been going strong but it will be interesting to see how they cope at the higher grade. Bredagh will have their work cut out but they are more than able to hold their own. I expect Mayobridge to advance with both points with a few scares along the way. Kilcoo make the journey to Burren and they have big aspirations this term with promotion on their radar. They picked up the championship and came 2nd in the league last term so they know very well the path that lies ahead. Burren are re-building but figured strongly in the 2nd half of last season so they will be hopeful of a better start to this years campaign. Kilcoo probably hold a slight upper hand which is expected to see them safely home with both points.
In the Junior league, St Johns play host to St. Michaels and the Johnnies with home advantage would be expected to take both the points. St Michaels have a very young squad and are making progress but it may not be enough on this occasion. Drumgath travel to Saul and this game is likely to be very close with both sides evenly matched. Saul held the upper hand in the fixtures last season and with home advantage they will be hopeful of a good start along with the two points. Loughinisland made the drop from intermediate ranks and they face the long journey to Tullylish. The Island are slowly re-building and certainly made a good account of themselves last term with a limited squad. Tullylish are always there or thereabouts in the final shake-up and they will not under estimate the challenge that lies ahead though I think Loughinisland might just have enough experience in depth to sneak home with the two points but it won’t come easily. Teconnaught host Aughlisnafin and both sides made dramatic improvements last season. Games between them are normally close but Teconnaught may want to rectify their semi-final defeat to the Fin in their last meeting and with home advantage they should have enough to make it count on the score board.

Could all managers’ text the result to 07928657436 after the game