Antrim players look to shine as St Gall's take on Portglenone

And a prospective new boss could certainly do a lot worse than take in Sunday’s highly-attractive senior tie between St Gall’s and Portglenone at Hannahstown (3.30).

A raft of players with inter-county experience will be on duty, among them current Antrim goalkeeper Chris Kerr.

“There is still a lot of talent within the county and I think further evidence will be provided over the course of the championship,” says Kerr.

The St Gall’s stalwart will link up with experienced players such as C J McGourty, Sean Burke, Mickey Pollock, Jackson McGreevey and Andy McLean as the Milltown outfit bid to contain a Portglenone side that contains several seasoned county players among whom are Niall McKeever, Dermot McAleese and Niall Delargy.

Also on Sunday, St John’s, a former giant within Antrim, will take on Aldergrove (Lamh Dhearg 1.30) while St Mary’s (Aghagallon) will face St Teresa’s at Glenavy (7.00).

In Down, the senior football championship is gathering pace and there are two important ties in Round 2A on Saturday with the Turley brothers Peter and Damien the backbone of an RGU Downwpatrick side that will face Warrepoint at Castlewellan (3.30).

Castlewellan, meanwhile, face a stiff test against Saval at Pairc Esler, Newry (5.00).

But it’s the second match at the Newry stadium which really catches the eye with Clonduff facing Longstone in an enticing Round 2B match-up (6.30).

Clonduff will have current Down skipper Darren O’Hagan in their ranks as well as the vastly experienced Aidan Carr while Longstone will look to the Polands, Mark and Conor, for inspiration.

On Monday night, a Pairc Esler double bill in Round 2A looks set to create huge interest given that reigning champions Kilcoo will take on Ballyholland (8.15) and Burren will meet Mayobridge (6.45) – matches, indeed, that might well provide a pointer as to just which team might eventually be crowned champions.

Kilcoo will be fortified by the presence of Darragh O’Hanlon, the Johnston brothers Ryan and Jerome and Paul Devlin while Burren can look to their Mourne county aces Kevin McKernan, Gerard McGovern, Donal O’Hare and Conaill McGovern.

Also on Monday night, Glenn will face Loughinisland in Round 2B at Newcastle (8.15).

On Sunday, Ballygalget and Ballycran will cross swords in the Down senior hurling championship at Portaferry (5.00) while on Monday night there will be two qualifying ties in the county hurling championship when Kevin Lynch’s (Dungiven) take on Lavey at Owenbeg (8.00) and Swatragh meet Ballinascreen at Celtic Park (8.00).