IFA C'ship One: Stute in Lurgan hoping to keep promotion play-off hopes alive

Institute travel to take on Lurgan Celtic this afternoon hoping to strengthen their IFA Championship One promotion play-off hopes (kick-off 3.00pm).

With six games to go, Kevin Deery’s in-form side are in sixth place and three could see them in third place, if results elsewhere go their way.

Under normal circumstances, the runners-up would face the Premiership’s 11th placed side for the right to play in the top tier the following season.

But second-placed H&W Welders, Armagh (third) and Lurgan Celtic don’t have the licence required for Premiership football, so none of them will be elligible for promotion regardless of where they finish.

Current leaders Ards are odds-on to clinch the title and automatic promotion leaving just Larne, who are just a single point ahead of Institute, the only other serious contender for the much sought-after play-off spot.

With the two due to meet each other at Inver Park on Tuesday week, a win is vital for Stute this afternoon.

Institute may have an Intermediate Cup final clash against Ards to look forward but it is not surprising manager Deery (pictured) has a return to the Premiership as his top priority.

Last six fixtures for each are:

Institute

Today (9th April): - Lurgan Celtic (away) Saturday (16th April) – Loughgall (home) Tuesday (19th April) – Larne (away) Saturday (23rd April) – Ards (home) Tuesday (26th April) – Lisburn Distillery (away) Saturday (30th April) – Ballyclare Comrades (away)

Larne

Today (9th April) – Armagh City (away)] Tuesday (12th April) – Donegal Celtic (home) Saturday (16th April) – Harland & Wolff Welders (away) Tuesday (19th April) – Institute (home) Saturday (23rd April) – Bangor (away) Satuday (30th April) – Lisburn Distillery (home)