Rectory men favourites to go straight back up in 2014

Basically, if a first XI wins Qualifying 1 this year (e.g. Newbuildings or Ballyspallen), then they will go into a shoot-out against the Championship’s bottom side for a place in next year’s senior ranks.

Going on last season’s standings that would leave the likes of Killyclooney or Sion Mills very vulnerable but what it is certain to do is keep the whole pot boiling all the way through the summer.

At the other end there are two potential promotion spots available - one automatic and the other via play-off - and that too ensures that action should be thick and fast over the next five months.

Picking a favourite is difficult given the competitive nature of the division however at first glance it could well develop into a three-way race.

Glendermott, just relegated in September will be very hopeful of bouncing straight back and the fact that they have kept almost the entire squad together is a massive boost.

Better still Roy Silva is rejoining them as well and the capture of the Sri Lankan looks to be a real statement of intent from Bonds Street. Silva, Gordon Montgomery, Bob Robinson, Charlie Elder, Alan Johnson and company looks like a side capable of winning the title and given their experience in the top flight they will be many people’s choice.

Wherever Glendermott finish however I would hazard a guess that Drummond won’t be far away.

Stevie Moore has not only held on to Ricky McDaid and Chris Moore but he has also added Johnny Martin from Coleraine, Kyle Morrow from Creevedonnell and Craig Hartin from Ardmore as he bids to build on joint second place last time.

Drummond really flexed their muscle at times last season and if they can just keep that necessary consistency they will go very close.

Making up what might be the top three are St Johnston who go into the new campaign with exactly the same squad as the one that only fell at the final hurdle in 2013. I

an Macbeth is back as skipper and with their core of youngsters now a year wiser the Saints look to have arguably the best balanced side in the league. They too have suffered from a lack of consistency at times but you still have to suspect that with the same team as last time they are likely to be banging the door down again.

Burndennett will feel that they can push on as well and they may do, however they need to be able to put out their best side every weekend.

Many eyes will be on Ross McCay to see how he has benefited from his winter training schedule and I’d expect Burndennett to cause sides plenty of problems. Only time will tell however whether or not they can break into the top three.

Similar comments apply to both Bonds Glen and Creevedonnell, neither really getting into the mix last time and neither making enough inroads in the winter transfer market to change that this time.

The Bee Gees will be missing Gihan Dilruk, their talisman over the past four or five years and without him it is very difficult to see them getting into the race while Creevedonnell’s winter has seen them lose Gary Neely, Ellis McGarrigle, Kyle Morrow and fringe players Ciaran McDermott and Chris McDonald.

As well as that, Stephen Scroggie could miss the first month having only just had plaster removed from his leg last week.

To be fair, Mo Hanware is back as their overseas player and will be determined to put an injury plagued season last time behind him. Hanware’s side have also added Bonds Glen youngster Michael McBeth to their ranks but it definitely looks like a season of consolidation this time around.

My guess is Glendermott and Drummond split only by a hair’s breadth at the top with Killyclooney’s escape possibly leaving Sion Mills very vulnerable at the bottom.

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