Three-way battle for Play-Off place excites Bangor, Institute and Annagh bosses
Bangor manager Lee Feeney is hoping to inspire the Seasiders to a Promotion Play-Off place
Annagh United boss Ciaran McGurgan has his sights on a third straight Promotion Play-Off for the club
The final evening of the Playr-Fit Championship will see a three-way battle for the right to play Ballymena United in the Promotion/Relegation Play-Off.
With just one point separating Annagh United, Bangor and Institute, all three have a realistic chance of nabbing the Play-Off spot on what promises to be a fascinating Friday night of football.
To add an extra layer of intrigue to the mix, Annagh and Bangor clash at the BMG Arena. With both teams tied on 67 points, the winner will earn the right to play Ballymena in the two-legged Play-Off.
Institute will be hoping that Annagh and Bangor play out a draw. In that situation, Stute – who are on 66 points – will claim the Play-Off spot if they defeat already-promoted Portadown at Shamrock Park.
If Annagh and Bangor draw but Stute fail to beat the Ports, the Seasiders will take the Play-Off spot by virtue of goal difference.
Bangor boss Lee Feeney said: “Annagh are on an unbelievable run of form and they have the momentum behind them.
“They are a hugely experienced side and they have been in this position the past two seasons, so they know how to handle it. We’re going to have to handle to occasion better than they do as there will be a lot of tension on the night.”
If Annagh defeat Bangor, it will be the third time in three years that the Tandragree Road club have made the Play-Offs, losing to cross-town rivals Portadown in 2022 and Dungannon Swifts in 2023’s much-delayed showdown.
It would also be a remarkable achievement, as Annagh have won each of their last four games to put themselves in this position. Manager Ciaran McGurgan said: “People aren’t talking about Annagh. Everyone talks about other clubs, which suits us down to the ground.
“The Team of the Year came out last week, and not one Annagh player is on it. We could potentially finish second, and we don’t have a player in that team. That’s disappointing, but we flip it as a positive.”
Institute boss Kevin Deery knows that his side need a favour at BMG Arena to stand a chance of making the Play-Offs. But regardless of what happens on Friday night, the former Derry City coach can chalk it up as a good 2023/24 season for Stute, who narrowly avoided relegation in the 2022/23 campaign.
He said: “We’ve got 66 points. It’s a big turnaround for a team that didn’t accumulate that in two seasons. We’ve had a great return in terms of what the players have given us. We can only be positive about them.”
Regardless of the result at Shamrock Park, there will be a party atmosphere as champions Portadown will be presented with the Playr-Fit Championship trophy at the full-time whistle.
Elsewhere, Dundela host Harland and Wolff Welders in the east Belfast derby. The Duns – on 67 points – can still finish second but cannot participate in the Play-Offs as they will not be awarded a Promotion Licence. Those licencing decisions will be announced on Friday morning.
In the bottom six, already-relegated Knockbreda will host Newington, Ballinamallard United will play Ballyclare Comrades at Ferney Park, while Ards will travel to Dergview.
The Dergs will play either Armagh City, Rathfriland or Ballymacash Rangers in the Championship Promotion/Relegation Play-Off.
PIL champions Limavady United have already secured promotion to the Championship.
