THERE’S stipulations in seven out of the eight fixtures this coming weekend in the RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta SFC.
The only dead rubber is the meeting of Ardara and Naomh Conaill at Pearse Park on Sunday, with the hosts already consigned to last place in Group 2 and their guests having confirmed top spot.
The first differential between two sides who are level on points is the head-to-head record between those involved. If that meeting was a draw, then overall score difference is used and then – if needed – whoever has scored most over their respective three games.
If there are three teams level on points, the head-to-heads do not come into play. First of all, score difference is used and if that can’t provide a split, whoever has scored most over their course of their three games will gain the higher place.
Group 1
Results to date: Gaoth Dobhair 1-8 Glenswilly 1-10, Malin 1-13 MacCumhaill’s 0-16; Glenswilly 3-9 Malin 1-8, MacCumhaill’s 2-8 Gaoth Dobhair 1-15.
Fixtures: Glenswilly v MacCumhaill’s, Gaoth Dobhair v Malin – both Sunday 6pm.
| P | W | L | D | F | A | Pts | |
| Glenswilly | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 22 | 4 |
| Gaoth Dobhair | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 29 | 27 | 2 |
| MacCumhaill’s | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 30 | 34 | 1 |
| Malin | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 27 | 34 | 1 |
With two wins from two and having already won the head-to-head with the only team that can join them on four points, Gaoth Dobhair, Glenswilly have already wrapped up Group 1.
MacCumhaill’s must win at Pairc Naomh Columba to have any chance and even if they do, they’ll have to hope for a favour in the other game – in the form of Malin winning at Gaoth Dobhair.
Gaoth Dobhair are favourites to join Glenswilly in the last eight, although Liam Bradley’s side know an away win at Magheragallon will be enough provided MacCumhaill’s fail to win at Glenswilly. That’ll bring score difference into the equation with Malin (-7) and MacCumhaill’s (-4), who drew at Connolly Park in May.
Group 2
Results to date: Ardara 0-7 St Eunan’s 2-11, Naomh Conaill 2-14 Dungloe 1-8; St Eunan’s 0-8 Naomh Conaill 2-12, Dungloe 2-7 Ardara 0-12.
Fixtures: St Eunan’s v Dungloe – Saturday 6:30pm, Ardara v Naomh Conaill – Sunday 2pm.
| P | W | L | D | F | A | Pts | |
| Naomh Conaill | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 18 | 4 |
| St Eunan’s | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 25 | 2 |
| Dungloe | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 32 | 2 |
| Ardara | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 19 | 29 | 0 |
Seeing as Naomh Conaill have already defeated both Dungloe and St Eunan’s, it means their head-to-head will still be superior than the winners of Saturday’s clash at O’Donnell Park.
Similarly at the bottom, Ardara have lost to the only two teams they can join on two points – St Eunan’s and Dungloe.
Therefore, it’s a straight fight for second place on Saturday, with Dungloe’s inferior points difference, -8 to -2, meaning they must win in Letterkenny. A draw or a home win will be enough for St Eunan’s to confirm second sport.
Group 3
Results to date: St Michael’s 2-11 Cloughaneely 0-7, Glenfin 2-9 Four Masters 3-9; Four Masters 2-5 St Michael’s 3-12,Cloughaneely 1-11 Glenfin 1-12.
Fixtures: Glenfin v St Michael’s, Four Masters v Cloughaneely – Sunday, 2pm.
| P | W | L | D | F | A | Pts | |
| St Michael’s | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 18 | 4 |
| Four Masters | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 29 | 36 | 2 |
| Glenfin | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 30 | 32 | 2 |
| Cloughaneely | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 21 | 32 | 0 |
St Michael’s have been as impressive as anyone thus far but still have not confirmed top spot, as Glenfin and Four Masters can still join them on four points.
That said, Eddie Harkin’s team are on +20 on points difference, while both their chasers are in negative equity -Four Masters with -7 and Glenfin have -2 but lost the head-to-head with the Donegal town side. A Glenfin success over the Dunfanaghy residents can pip first position but only if Four Masters fail to beat Clouganeely.
Cloughaneely know a win over Four Masters coupled with a victory for St Michael’s in Glenfin will give them a chance to press their case for the runners-up spot, with points difference then coming into play. The Falcarragh-based team are -11 on points difference right now so would need to win by at least three points to jump Four Masters before tuning into matters in Glenfin.
Group 4
Results to date: Termon 1-11 Killybegs 0-12, Kilcar 2-13 Naomh Muire 0-8; Killybegs 2-4 Kilcar 1-15, Naomh Muire 0-15 Termon 1-12
Fixtures: Kilcar v Termon, Naomh Muire v Killybegs – Sunday, 2pm.
| P | W | L | D | F | A | Pts | |
| Kilcar | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 18 | 4 |
| Termon | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 29 | 27 | 3 |
| Naomh Muire | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 23 | 34 | 1 |
| Killybegs | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 22 | 31 | 0 |
Termon are in perhaps the most precarious position of all this Sunday. A victory for Paddy McDaid’s side at Kilcar will win the group, a draw will be enough for second place, while a loss means they’re opening the door for Naomh Muire.
With Killybegs, who are already eliminated, coming to the Banks, Gary Boyle’s Naomh Muire team know a win will take them onto three points and they will be keeping their fingers crossed for a favour from Towney in the form of a home win. Kilcar need a draw or a win to confirm top spot.
But Killybegs will be gunning for the points as a victory on the road will spare their participation in the relegation play-off.
Then, as Termon and Naomh Muire drew last weekend, points difference will come into play. Termon are currently +2 to Naomh Muire’s -11.
Tags:
