Big boys steer clear of each other

O’Neill’s Senior Football Championship Draw

THE large attendance of delegates at Owenbeg last Thursday evening witnessed the new format for the O’Neill’s senior championship first round.
The heavyweights steered clear of each other with none of the eight first round games raising any great discussion.
This year, the teams who lose their first game will get a second chance. That is in contrast with the previous group games which rarely provided any great excitement and in some cases there were ‘dead rubber’ games.
The reigning champions Newbridge probably got the toughest test in that they meet an up and coming Dungiven team. Odds on favourites Glen will meet Division Two team Banagher but they will not be taking any chances as Banagher have caused a few shocks in the past.
Slaughtneil may not be the force of a few years ago but with players like Shane McGuigan and Brendan Rogers in their ranks they are still a team to be feared. They will meet Kilrea, one of the long shots for the John McLaughlin Cup.
Second Division Drumsurn have a tough one against a strong Lavey team. Magherafelt, with a bagful of good young players did not cut much ice in the league, will not get anything easy against an improved Ballinascreen team.
The full draw for the games to be played on August 9-10 is: Banagher v Glen, Lavey v Drumsurn, Newbridge v Dungiven, Magherafelt v Ballinascreen, Swatragh v The Loup, Slaughtneil v Kilrea and Ballinderry v Bellaghy.

McFeely Group Intermediate Championship
This championship, which is generally very competitive, will be played in three groups of three.
Glenullin, who played in the senior league, are the favourites having been winners in 2022 and 2023. They have been drawn in the very tough Group D with Greenlough and Desertmartin.
Other fancied teams are Foreglen, Castledawson, Limavady and Greenlough. Group A Claudy, Lissan and Limavady, Group B Ballerin, Craigbane and Foreglen, Group C Castledawson, Eoghan Rua and Ballymaguigan. Group D Desertmartin, Glenullin and Greenlough.

Premier Electric Junior Football Championship
The new promotion system being introduced two years ago has left this championship looking a lot weaker than in the past.
The nine teams are divided into groups of three and looking at the contenders Slaughtmanus who survived comfortably in Division Two will be the favourites with Doire Trasna looking to be the next strongest team. Group A Ardmore, Doire Colmcille and Moneymore, Group B Drum, Magilligan and Slaughtmanus, Group D Sean Dolan’s, Doire Trasna and Glack.

Leadon Timber Frames Senior Hurling Championship
This has been a one horse race for the past dozen years and it is hard to see that changing as Slaughtneil look to be just far too good for the rest of the teams.
Kevin Lynch’s who have been doing well in the under age grades have not pushed on. This season the teams are divided into two groups of four.
They are Group A Lavey, Na Magha, Kevin Lynch’s and Slaughtneil. Group B Ballinascreen, Eoghan Rua, Swatragh and Banagher. Last year Slaughtneil won their fifth Ulster senior hurling title and lost by the minimum to Munster champions Sarsfields of Cork in the All Ireland semi final.