Blue Riband Cup Quarter Finals
Creggan Swifts v Brandywell Celtic (Brooke Park)
What a game there is in prospect here with two teams who are in excellent form of late.
Brandywell Celtic should have taken three points from Premier Division leaders Clifton Villa last week, and with Matt Harkin scoring four goals in the last two matches they will be confident they can cause an upset here as well.
Creggan Swifts have plenty talent of their own, and with the prolific PJ Ward leading the line, and Darren McCready protecting the defence, they have the tools at hand to book their place in the final four.
Prediction: Semi spot for Swifts.
Westbank United v Bentley (Lisnagelvin No 2)
Westbank United have improved their form after a poor run of defeats in the league, and they will see this as a golden opportunity to progress in this competition.
Their main problem could be one of complacency, as they come up against a Bentley team odds on for relegation at the bottom of the league table.
As everyone knows, anything can happen in a cup competition, and United will be hoping that their firepower up top of Brendan McDaid and Johnny Hume is enough to get them over the line.
Prediction: United bank final four place.
Premier Division
Foyle Harps v Clifton Villa (Prehen No 6)
Clifton Villa have finally caught up on rearranged fixtures, and they find themselves one point ahead of Creggan Swifts.
With Swifts in cup action, Paddy Tracey’s team have the chance to extend that gap, but it won’t be easy.
Villa were poor in their draw with Brandywell Celtic at the weekend, and with star man Darren Harkin sustaining a rib injury playing GAA, he could potentially miss out on this game.
John Joe McGilloway will be on his toes to stop any Harps counter attacks, and Villa know every game is must win now.
Prediction: Villa extend gap to four.
Hatmore Harps v Strabane Athletic (Clooney Park West)
Neither of these teams have much to play for, but it’s Strabane who are more in need of a victory to get themselves closer to Rosemount above them.
Harps have failed to find consistent form over the course of the season, and that has ultimately been their downfall.
Athletic will be disappointed with their draw last week to Bentley, but with Joe Breslin in form they will be confident of getting some goals here.
To win they have the tough task of stopping Sean O’Connell, Mark Mukendi and Cormac Carlin.
Prediction: Victory for Harps.
Sion Swifts v Rosemount (Strabane)
These are two teams going in opposite directions, with Rosemount needing a win to kick start a run of form.
Aaron Rogan is the source of their creative play, but his team need to improve on a 5-3 defeat to Brandywell Celtic to get anything from this trip to Strabane.
Sion Swifts are far from out of danger, but they gave them survival hopes a serious boost with a 3-2 win over Du Pont on Saturday.
Cameron, Carlin and Doherty are all threats but the question is, will they be enough against an attacking Rosemount team?
Prediction: Share of the spoils in Strabane.
Championship
Foyle FC v Newton Heath (Templemore Central)
Despite sitting fourth in the table, Newton Heath are actually the only team who can stop City Colts, who are five points ahead of them.
If they are to do that then they have to treat both of their final games as a must win, and hope that Colts lose their last match this weekend.
Artigarvan are adrift at the bottom of the Championship, but Foyle certainly wouldn’t mind a few final wins to try and climb the table.
If they stand a chance of getting anything from this, they must stop Andy Dunn and Conor Doherty – Newton’s two key players.
Prediction: Newton stay hot on Colts’ heels.
City Colts v Ballymoor (Lisnagelvin No 4)
The noise that greeted each of City Colts’ five goals last Saturday showed just how much this title means to them.
That comprehensive win over Trojans kept them in cruise control at the top, and now they are one game away from the trophy.
Ballymoor have little to play for but they know they could have a serious say in the title race if they can cause an upset here.
Gavin McShane got a brace in the last one and he could get another few here.
Prediction: Colts to become champions.
Phoenix Athletic Colts v Tamnaherin Celtic (St Columbs No 2)
Tamnaherin are now out of the title race with only one game left and a five point gap between themselves and the top.
It’s a disappointing end to a season that looked like it would bring great success for Celtic early on.
They threw away a 1-0 lead against City Colts two weeks ago to only earn a share of the spoils, and this is a chance to get back to winning ways.
Leonard and McDermott are the source of goals for Phoenix, but Tamnaherin have plenty of their own – with Stephen Duffy a key part of the Celtic machine.
Prediction: Tams finish on a high.
Trojans v Maiden City (Prehen No 4)
Maiden City are another that have come so close, but will not be crowned league champions this year.
Despite that they will be keen to finish their season with a comprehensive win, and they will have a good opportunity on Saturday.
You have to feel for Trojans who last week faced leaders City Colts, and now face another team who will be in a merciless mood.
Jarlath Canning is key for City, while for Trojans D’Andre Chen has been in impressive form, and he will be their out ball in this game.
Prediction: Maiden City secure win.
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