Clubs will be forced to contend without county stars like Ryan Jones this weekend
SFL Division One Preview
With the county side still involved in the NFL, with the Division Three decider against Armagh on Saturday week at Croke Park, CCC has decided to use one of the quota of starred games for this coming Sunday’s league programme.
Derrygonnelly v Ederney.
A tie between two of the sides who enjoyed winning starts first time out. Both however will be missing a clutch of key personnel, the Harps perhaps the more affected. Ederney made hard work of dispatching new boys Maguiresbridge but Derrygonnelly simply brushed aside a poor Lisnaskea side. Harps will find this game a tougher test but should come through.
VERDICT: Derrygonnelly
Devenish v Erne Gaels.
A derby clash here and of course that will mean sharper intensity all round. Devenish will have learned little from their win over a skeleton St Patrick’s side in round one and they will have quite a number of absentees for this game, Thomas Treacy, Barry Mulrone and Martin O’Brien not available. The loss of those influential figures will certainly diminish them but they should still claim the bragging rights here.
VERDICT: Devenish
Lisnaskea v Belcoo
Belcoo have made a positive start with an encouraging home win over Tempo. They face a Lisnaskea side who put in a poor performance in their meeting with Derrygonnelly so the prospects look good for the O’Rahilly’s. On the other hand there will have been some soul searching in the Emmet’s camp and they should come into this game in a determined frame of mind..
VERDICT: Draw
Maguiresbridge v St Patrick’s.
The ‘Bridge lost to Ederney but their performance indicated they will be no pushovers this summer. After just one season in the top flight and that over half a decade ago, the ‘Bridge will be bent on making their mark in this division. They face a St Pat’s side who will presumably have a full strength panel to call on this time. But the Donagh men face a tricky test here and if the ‘Bridge are indeed to retain their newly won status this is the kind of home tie they must win.
VERDICT: Maguiresbridge
Tempo v Roslea.
Both these sides will be depleted due to county duties. Tempo fell to Belcoo and that will give this home meeting with Roslea a tighter edge. The Maguires won’t want to have a second straight defeat to undermine them so early on. But Roslea remain the team to beat, they have chalked up an away win already at Belleek and they look to have a panel which is that bit better able to cope with county player absenteeism.
VERDICT: Roslea