The identity of the two sides which will be making the jump to the Super League next season should be known around 2pm this Sunday. As the Premier A League heads for its final round of games this Sunday, Conn Rangers, Ballyheane, and Snugboro United are all still in with a shout of making the step up.
Conn Rangers are currently still on top of the table on 28 points, Ballyheane are one point further back on 27 points, with Snugboro United another point back in third place. Last weekend Conn Rangers could have booked their place in the Super League for next year with a win over Ballyheane in Quigley Park, but had to settle for a point. They were lucky to even get that after Chris Maughan’s late penalty for the home side came back off the bar.
This weekend for the second week in a row Conn Rangers will be squaring off against one of the top three, when they host Snugboro United. For both sides the results they need are simple, a win for Conn Rangers will see them take the title and promotion, a draw and they will be guaranteed promotion at least. Snugboro United need the win, nothing else will do. Even if the Boro do manage a win all is not lost for Conn Rangers as Ballyheane will still need to get at least a draw to pull level on points with them.
As for Ballyheane, they know that it is in their own hands and a win will send them up no matter what happens in the other game. Any result other than that and they are relying on results falling their way in the Conn Rangers v Snugboro United game. But it might not be that easy for Ballyheane on Sunday, when they take on Ballinrobe Town at the Green.
Ballinrobe Town themselves are still battling for survival in the Premier A for next season. Swinford are already down and out. Clew Bay United and Bangor Hibs are locked together on 13 points with Ballinrobe Town a point better off on 14 points. Clew Bay United are away to the already relegated Swinford on Sunday, with Bangor Hibs facing a nothing to play for Castlebar Celtic B side, and if both Hibs and United win their games and Ballyheane see off Ballinrobe Town, it will be the Premier B for Town for next season. Even a draw for both of the sides behind Ballinrobe Town and a loss for them, will put all three sides level on points on the final day and play-offs on the cards.
