Soccer returns with bonanza of derbies

5 August 2015

THE new soccer season kicks off on Saturday.

Leading the charge for honours in the Amateur League’s Premier Section are Drumaness Mills, Kilmore Rec, Ardglass and newly-promoted Downpatrick FC.

Dessie Campbell, who led the Mills to a league and Clarence Cup double two seasons ago, remains in charge at Meadowvale and although he has lost Colin Manley to Knockbreda and Adam Neale to Dundela, he has enticed Philip Rogan back to the club.

Michael Savage has returned to Ballynahinch Olympic, but the Mills boss still hopes to parade a few more new faces on the opening day of the season.

The Mills start off with a short trip to Rosconnor Road to play Downpatrick and three days later travel to Robert Adams Park to face Kilmore Rec in another derby. They entertain Immaculata on August 15 before another home game against Albert Foundry on Tuesday, August 18.

Their first cup action of the season takes place on Saturday, August 22, when they host Dunloy in the first round of the Irish Cup.

It’s all change over at Robert Adams Park where former Malachians and Islandmagee boss Gerry Goodall has replaced Neil Obank in the Kilmore hot seat.

Things are a bit uncertain at the club as Johnny Cheevers and Matty Hardy have yet to declare their intentions for the season. Definitely away are Karl Lewis, who has signed for Ballynahinch Olympic, Conan Russell, who has joined Drumaness Mills, Joe McKinney, who has moved top Comber Rec and Daniel Smyth, who has gone back to Ardglass.

On the plus side, manager Goodall has picked up the McGarritty brothers from Ballynagross, Matt, Ciaran and Michael, and is hoping to give youth a chance with Callum Dougan and Jack Montgomery impressing in pre-season friendlies.

Kilmore open with a home game against Crumlin United and then entertain Drumaness Mills on the Tuesday night. They travel to take on Islandmagee on August 15 before facing Ardglass away on Tuesday 18.

Stevie Deegan is back in charge at Ardglass and he has added club stalwart Barry McEvoy to his back room team.

McEvoy brings a wealth of experience to the job as he has served the club as manager on several occasions and few can match his knowledge of the Amateur League scene.

The club have lost Ricky Kerr and Stephen Galbraith to Downpatrick and Ryan and Eoin Curran to Celtic Bhoys, but hope to hang on to Ian Kearney when he returns from working in England at the end of October. They have also attracted back Mark Feenan from Ballynagross and Daniel Smyth from Kilmore Rec.

Ardglass open with a home game against Islandmagee before taking on Downpatrick away on Tuesday night. A trip to Malachians on August 15 is followed by a home game against Kilmore Rec and on Saturday, August 22, they are away to Saintfield United in the first round of the Irish Cup.

Joe McMahon and Kevin Trueman have been busy enhancing their Downpatrick squad for the new season back in the top flight.

All of last year’s squad, with the exception of Chris Mullan, are back on board and Stephen Galbraith, Ricky Kerr, Stephen Douglas, Ciaran Evans, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Stevie Chapman have been added to the camp.

Downpatrick open with a cracker against Drumaness Mills and three days later entertain Ardglass. They face Ballynure Old Boys at home on August 15 in the first round of the Steel and Sons Cup and then take on league champions Ards Rangers at Drome Park on Tuesday, August 18.

Killyleagh YC, Comber Rec and Dromara Village will be playing their football in Division 1A this season with all three targeting a return to the Premier Section.

It is all change at the Killyleagh Showgrounds where the YC will play outside the Amateur League’s top flight for the first time in 36 years.

Ricky Graham is the fourth manager in as many seasons since Dee Heron stepped down. Graham took over half way through last season and while unable to prevent Killyleagh slipping out of the Premier Section, he impressed club officials sufficiently to be asked to rebuild the team.

Graham, who played, coached and managed at Dromara Village for 25 years, retains Brian Strain on his coaching staff and has added two members of the famous six-in-a-row title winning side, brothers Colin and Mark Murray, to assist him on the touch line.

He has built his side around John Murray, the last survivor from the 2002 Steel Cup-winning side and has brought in new blood in Jamie O’Connor, brothers Chris and Andy Cochrane and Scott Grieves, along with the return of Alastair Coburn, Peter Strain, Ryan Blaney and Nicky Hagan. Players leaving the Showgrounds include goalkeeper Andrew Wallace (Derriaghy) and Jordan Kennedy (Ards Rangers).

They open with a home game against Barn United and three days later face Comber Rec in the first of their derby games. A trip to St Patrick’s Young Men on Saturday, August 15, awaits them in the Steel and Sons Cup, followed three days later by a trip to Abbey Villa in the league. They then face Bryansburn Rangers in the Irish Cup on Saturday 22.

Phil and Graham McDonagh remain in charge at Comber Rec and they face a warm welcome when they return to Bells Bridge to take on Dromara Village in their first league game.

They are away to Killyleagh on the Tuesday night before entertaining 1st Bangor on August 18. A tough nut awaits them when they entertain Windmill Stars on Saturday 22 in the first round of the Irish Cup.

Over at Dromara, Gerard McMahon has added Daniel Flynn and Johnny McCarron from Lurgan Celtic and Jamie Collins and John McLoughlin from Craigavon, but he has lost the services of long serving Mark Drake.

Dromara open with a mouth-watering clash against Comber Rec and three days later are away to Rathfriland in another derby. They then take on Queen’s in the Steel and Sons Cup before entertaining Dunmurry Rec on Tuesday 18.

Ballynahinch United, Ballynahinch Olympic, Newcastle and Portaferry are in Division 1B with all four looking to move into 1A.

Keith Hamilton is still in charge at Ballynahinch United, but he couldn’t have asked for a tougher opening game as his charges take on Ballynahinch Olympic in their opening game.

This is followed by a trip to Rathfern Rangers on the Tuesday night and a visit to Ballywalter on Saturday on August 15. They then face Valley Rangers in the first round of the Irish Cup at Millbridge on Saturday 22.

Quite a few changes at Olympic with Niall Murray and Barry Reid replacing Stevie Ward and Paul Sloan as managers. Karl Lewis, Mickey Savage and Gavin Rogan have been added to last year’s squad with Philip Rogan heading back to Drumaness Mills.

Olympic then face Newcastle in the league on August 11 and then meet them again on August 18 in the first round of the Irish Cup. In between, they entertain UUJ in the league on Saturday, August 15.

Newcastle, who were pipped at the post for promotion last season, open their campaign with a visit to Donard Hospital before travelling to take on Ballynahinch Olympic on the Tuesday night.

On August 15 they face Crumlin Star in the Steel and Sons Cup before their second game against Olympic on the Tuesday night in the Irish Cup.

Portaferry start the new season without top scorer Michael Doran who has signed for Bangor FC, but manager David Fitzsimons has retained everyone else. He has also appointed former player and Ballycam Celtic star Bobby Joe Sims, who has been learning his trade as the successful manager of Kirkistown FC, to his back room staff.

The Ports start with a home game against Rosario and follow that up with another home game against Ballywalter on the Tuesday night. A trip to Sirocco awaits them on the 15th before they travel to Rosario on the 18th.

Saintfield United will be carrying the flag in Division 1C and manager Willie Hawkes will be hoping to push on from last year. He has added Comber’s Jason Kidd to the squad and hopes to give teenagers Adam Childs and Oliver Duff a run in the first team.

The Saints start with an away game at Bangor Amateurs before taking on Dunmurry Young Men away on the Tuesday night. They entertain Newington Rangers on the 15th before taking on Dromore Amateurs, also at home. A nice wee Irish Cup tie awaits them on the 22nd when they entertain Ardglass.

Saintfield United will be carrying the flag in Division 1C and manager Willie Hawkes will be hoping to push on from last year.

Meanwhile, Temple Rangers, who are playing in Division 2B and Castlewellan and Ballynagross, who are in Division 2C, don’t start their campaigns until the beginning of September with the Newcastle League starting on August 15.

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