Groups finalised for cup matches

THE North East Football League have announced the make-up of the eight groups which will be used to decide on qualification for the knockout stages of its various cup competitions.

The league reaffirmed at its committee meeting last Tuesday that no league divisions will be competed for this year, and that final positions from the 2019 season would be used to determine clubs’ league status for the 2021 campaign, which is due to kick off next March.

This year’s fixtures will begin on the week ending August 10th and continue until the end of November, and if necessary into December.

To mark the league being in existence for 40 years, an extra open knockout competition called the 40 Year Commemorative Cup will be offered to all club first teams irrespective of their grading. The Reserve Cup will also be played as usual, and participation in these two competitions will be optional, with a deadline for entries of July 31st.

Teams finishing in the top two positions in Groups A to D will qualify for the Tully Bookmakers Cup quarter-finals, with the third and fourth-placed sides forming the last eight in the Kilmessan Shield and the two bottom sides going into the Fitzsimons Cup quarter-finals.

There will be a similar format for Groups E to H, with teams qualifying for either the Gerry Reilly Cup, O’Neill Shield or Jimmy Mangan Cup quarter-finals depending on their finishing positions.

Teams finishing outside of sixth place in each group - they are all made up of either eight or nine teams - will not qualify for any of the seeded competitions. Group A: Muirhevna Mor, Bay, Bellurgan Utd, Albion Rovers, Ardee Celtic, Torro Utd, Glenmuir Utd, Abbey Celtic.

Group B: Rock Celtic, Carrick Rovers, Square Utd, Kingscourt Harps, Redeemer Celtic, Drogheda Town, Bailieboro Celtic, Newtwn Utd. Group C: Parkvilla, Duleek, OMP Utd, Chord Celtic, Kentstown Rovers, Oldcastle Utd, Trim Celtic 2nds, Kells Celtic.

Group D: Boyne Harps, Trim Celtic, Athboy Celtic, Enfield Celtic, Donacarney Celtic, Johnstown, Trim Town, Virginia.

Group E: BJD Celtic, Navan Tn Cosmos, Ardee Celtic 2nds, Glenmuir Utd 2nds, Virginia 2nds, Athboy 2nds, Electro 2nds, Oldcastle 2nds. Group F: Fordrew Rovers, Torro 2nds, Carrick 2nds, Square 2nds, Newtown 2nds, Slane Wdrs, Kells Celtic 2nds, Castle Villa, Robinstown 2nds.

Group G: Bohermeen Celtic, Kilmessan, Kentstown 2nds, Millmount Celtic, Donacarney 2nds, Albion 2nds, Rossin Rovers, Park Celtic Summerhill.

Group H: OMP 2nds, Parkvilla 2nds, Robinstown, Chord Celtic 2nds, Lourdes Celtic, Albion 3rds, Johnstown 2nds, Enfield 2nds.