There’s a huge gap between top and bottom in the Division 2A league. Some teams will be happy with their season, while others will be concerned.
Certain teams competing at midtable will have their work cut out for them in the new year, as they battle to break into the top four and guarantee safety.
Sarsfields:
An opening day defeat to Clan na Gael were the only points Sarsfields dropped this season as they sit top of the pack in Division 2A.
Of their six outings to date, they came out on the winning side in five of those ties, leaving them ahead of second place by two points.
In terms of championship, the High Moss club will be unhappy with how their season panned out after defeating Culloville in the first round.
They didn’t reach the pace of the game against Tullysaran and crashed out of the competition at the quarter final stage.
Tullysaran:
Currently sitting second in the league table, Tullysaran will be eyeing up a promotion spot in the new year.
Like Sarsfields just above them, they’ve lost just one league game this year, winning four of their five.
They got past An Port Mor in the first round of the championship with a point to spare before giving the performance of the championship against Sarsfields.
Their semi-final against St Paul’s didn’t go to plan despite two early goals, but Tullysaran will be excited to get back into the action next year.
Clan na Gael:
For a couple of years now Clan na Gael have been targeting an Intermediate Championship and they finally got there this season.
They were by far and away the best team on show during the championship and were deservingly crowned champions.
Tullysaran were the only side to defeat the Clans this year during the league, but the Lurgan club won’t be too concerned.
With promotion now in the bag, Clan na Gael may use the remaining league games as preparation for the 2021 season.
Shane O’Neill’s:
The Shane’s will want to get back to winning ways when football returns and keep themselves in the top four of the division.
They currently rest in fourth place, just above Whitecross, although on the same points and will not want to get dragged into a relegation fight.
Shane O’Neill’s were unlucky to be drawn against championship favourites Clan na Gael in the opening round this season.
If it’s any consolation, they gave the Clans their toughest test of the championship and they will once again be one of the front runners next year.
Whitecross:
2020 is not a year that Whitecross will look back on too fondly, as they won just three of their seven games.
They started brilliantly in the league, sitting top after two early wins, but their momentum was shattered by a defeat to Sarsfields.
Ballyhegan upset the odds in the championship as Whitecross were caught completely cold in the opening round.
Whitecross will be pushing hard to break into the top four to guarantee they stay in the division for another year.
St Paul’s:
The Lurgan team didn’t experience a great league run, but their form flipped once championship season came calling.
They currently sit in sixth position, with relegation a serious threat and they’ll hope to improve in the new year.
They were impressive in the championship however and reached the decider where they came up against a superior Clan na Gael side.
They showed promise in their wins over Tir na nOg, Carrickcruppen and Tullysaran to reach the showpiece.
Tir na nOg:
Not a great year for the Tir na nOg side, who won just one of their six league games throughout the campaign.
That win keeps them above the bottom spot and level on points with St Paul’s, but they will hope to improve for the remainder of the league.
They look in real trouble in dropping out of the division and will have to fight off relegation in the new year.
The championship followed a similar pattern, as the Portadown men where knocked out early by St Paul’s.
Culloville:
A double relegation is certainly on the cards for Culloville, after dropping out of the Senior Championship last year.
They experienced quite a difficult league campaign as they were unfit to pick up any points throughout 2020.
They put it up to Sarsfields in the opening round of the championship, but it wasn’t enough to get something from the game.
They would appear to have enough quality to remain in the top bracket of the Intermediate league and will hope for a turn of fortunes in the new year.
