The top two in the Four Lanterns Ulster Senior League clash on Sunday as Cockhill Celtic welcome Fanad United to the Charlie O’Donnell Sports Grounds (2pm).
Defending champions Cockhill have taken Fanad’s mantle as the kingpins of the USL and will look to lay down a marker against Arthur Lynch’s men this weekend.
In December, Fanad – thanks to goals by Tony McNamee and Oisin McMenamin – defeated Cockhill 2-0 at Traigh-A-Loch; a result that really strengthened Fanad’s credentials as title contenders.
Fanad have maintained their charge, although a recent 1-1 draw against Bonagee, when McNamee scored a last-minute leveller, was a damaging blot upon the copybook.
Fanad, though, shook their heads clear and overcame Milford United 2-1 in the Knockalla Caravans Senior Cup and then hammered Swilly Rovers 7-0 in the League.
Fanad, the record 14-times USL champions, have certainly undergone something of a renaissance since Lynch has taken charge. Questions remain of whether they can last down the home straight, but Sunday’s is an important one for them as they look to stay in touch.
The sides are locked on points, although Cockhill do have a game in hand.
Cockhill duo Peter Doherty and Malachy McDermott were part of the Ulster/Munster selection that overcame Leinster/Connacht 1-0 in the Regions Cup play-off at the weekend while Jimmy Bradley was also on the squad.
Cockhill have won the last five USL titles, but recent departures by Garbhan Friel and Mark Coyle have weakened the hand somewhat.
Still, Gavin Cullen possesses the likes of Doherty, McDermott, Bradley, Mark Moran, Ronan Doherty and the ever-green Paul McKinney.
But Fanad haven’t been found wanting of late and McNamee and McMenamin have added a real sense of guile and purpose to their ranks, with Davitt Walsh, Matthew Crossan, Shaun McElwaine and Seamus Friel give them a solid, experienced feel.
The bottom two, Bonagee United and Swilly Rovers, meet at Dry Arch Park on Saturday evening. Bonagee will have been buoyed by Saturday’s 4-1 win over Clonmany Shamrocks in the Knockalla Cup.
There will be plenty of intrigue, too, about the meeting of Finn Harps Reserves and Derry City Reserves.
RESULTS
Four Lanterns Ulster Senior League
Sunday
Cockhill Celtic 3 Swilly Rovers 0
Knockalla Caravans Senior Cup, First Round
Saturday
Bonagee United 4 Clonmany Shamrocks 1
Sunday
Buncrana Hearts 3 Derry City Reserves 2
Kildrum Tigers 0 Greencastle FC 4 (reversed to Chapel Lane)
Glenea United 0 Letterkenny Rovers 1
Cootehill Harps 1 Finn Harps Reserves 2
Castlefin Celtic 0 Glengad United 5
FIXTURES
FAI New Balance Intermediate Cup Quarter-Final
Sunday, February 25, 2pm
Letterkenny Rovers v Home Farm Referee – Marty McGarrigle; Assistants – Marty Quinn, Packie Coll
Four Lanterns Ulster Senior League
Saturday, February 24, 6pm
Bonagee United v Swilly Rovers Referee – Packie Coll; Assistants – Marty McGarrigle, Marty Quinn
Sunday, February 25, 2pm
Cockhill Celtic v Fanad United Referee – Michael Connolly; Assistants – Garvan Taggart, TBC
Finn Harps Reserves v Derry City Reserves Referee – Vincent McLoughlin
Table | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | ||
Cockhill Celtic | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 34 | 7 | 27 | 19 | ||
Fanad United | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 33 | 12 | 21 | 19 | ||
Letterkenny Rovers | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 15 | * | |
Derry City Reserves | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 21 | 11 | 10 | 13 | ||
Finn Harps Reserves | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 21 | 29 | -8 | 12 | * | |
Bonagee United | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 29 | -22 | 2 | ||
Swilly Rovers | 9 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 43 | -36 | 1 | ||
* Letterkenny Rovers awarded 3-0 win after Finn Harps didn’t field | ||||||||||