Clans within a point of safety

Killeavey’s draw against Whitecross has sealed the South Armagh side’s fate and with the Sarsfields safe before last Sunday’s encounter, Mullaghbawn now pose the only remaining threat to the Clans who will need just one point from their remaining two games to be certain of consolidating their top flight status.

Mullaghbawn will require full points from their remaining two games to force a play-off should the Clans fail to pick up any further points.

A converted Stefan Campbell penalty and a goal from the effective Ronan O’Hara neutralised two Richard Stevenson strikes and although the Clans raced to what looked like a comfortable lead, little quarter was given in a pulsating last 15 minutes with both sides pushing for victory.

There is little doubt that should the Clans survive, their fast maturing team will give a good account of themselves next season.

The Blues struggled for most of the season as a result of injuries to both Ronan Austin and Steven O’Hagan, and young Paul McKenna could blossom into a decent midfielder.

Sarsfields manager Patsy Donnelly, with one eye on next week’s Championship Final, rested some of his key players for last Sunday’s clash and gave county minor players Paul McGeown and Colin Stevenson the full sixty minutes.

Although the St. Peter’s tie against Clann ireann was called off at the weekend, Ballyhegan’s win over Madden on Sunday sees the Freecrow side relegated considering that wins in all their remaining games would accumulate a total of 13 points, a tally which would be insufficient to secure their divisional status.

Meanwhile, in Division Three ire g’s defeat to Collegeland, depending on upcoming results, could see the Craigavon side faced with an end of season play-off to avoid relegation. The gs sit on14 points along with Lissummon, just in front of Beleeks who are on 12 points with one game less played.