Eight First Round games in New Look Championship format

There will be a lot less games but a lot more action as the Competitions Control Committee move away from the tedious group stages which will see the number of games reduced by over fifty per cent. 

Last year Newbridge came from nowhere to claim their first title since 1989. This year they are one of the favourites having just completed the remarkable feat of winning all three adult leagues with just a couple of defeats. Two of the fancied runners Magherafelt and former All Ireland champions Glen have not been impressive in the league, while Slaughtneil, who last took the title in 2020, began to shape up when their county players returned.

Lavey were unlucky not to beat Glen last year and are a team on the rise. Outside of the aforementioned five, Dungiven’s slick young team under James McNicholl might cause an upset or two. Swatragh and Ballinascreen have done enough to be respected but like any championship the no hopers outnumber the high hopers. The CCC decision to lump so many games over one week and seven of them at Owenbeg in two days is a bit surprising.

Other counties tend to spread the games over week days and weekends, giving followers better opportunities to see more of the action. There is just one of the first round games in mid week.

Lavey v Drumsurn – Owenbeg, Wednesday 7:15pm, Referee Harry Tohill
Tough one for Drumsurn, who’ve mixed good results with more bad in the intermediate league. They ended a long winless streak with wins over Ballerin, Craigbane and Desertmartin. Lavey had a good league apart from a shock defeat by Castledawson and seem to be timing their run.

Drumsurn lost players to retirement and emigration but retain a core in Dara and Ruairi Rafferty, Cahir Mullan, Tiernan Woods and Turlough McHugh. Lavey have county men Patrick McGurk, Niall Toner, Ryan Mulholland, with backing from Conor Mulholland, goalkeeper Louis Regan and Ryan McGill. They’ll be strongly fancied.

Swatragh v The Loup – Owenbeg, Saturday 1:00pm
Interesting tussle between two unpredictable teams. The Loup had a big league win over a near full-strength Glen (1-18 to 4-7). Glen’s four-goal concession is a concern. Swatragh were hammered by Ballinascreen but had secured their league position and rested players ahead of the hurling championship.

Swatragh slight favourites with Sean Kearney and Cathal Murray’s pace and midfield strength.

Steelstown v Faughanvale – Owenbeg, Saturday 2:45pm
These two drew in the league. Both play heads-up football and can score across the field. Steelstown, with Division One secured, rested players vs Ballinderry but will be full strength now. They have four Derry seniors – Gilmore, McMonagle, McCarron, Baker – plus scorer Callum Derry and veteran Ryan Devine.

‘Vale were unlucky in last year’s intermediate final and held their own in senior league. Steelstown’s stronger attack could see them through.

Slaughtneil v Kilrea – Owenbeg, Saturday 5:30pm
Slaughtneil may have slipped from their 2014–2020 dominance but remain dangerous. Lost narrowly to Glen the past two years. Still have Rogers, Shane and Chrissy McKaigue, Karl McKaigue, and Paul McNeill.

Younger players like Jack McCloy, Cathal McKaigue and the O’Mianain brothers add balance. Kilrea, led by James Kielt, had a solid league and pushed Slaughtneil last time. Emmet’s look stronger in key areas.

Magherafelt v Ballinascreen – Owenbeg, Saturday 7:15pm
Will show where Magherafelt stand after an underwhelming league and unsettled lineouts. Manager Gavin Devlin (now also Louth manager) can now manage both teams. Conor McCluskey returns from injury as Danny Heavron retires.

Young talent makes team selection tricky. Liam Donnelly has boosted Ballinascreen with former Derry minors. Could be very tight.

Banagher v Glen – Owenbeg, Sunday 1:00pm
Tough task for Banagher, back in senior football, but they relish upsetting odds. Glen, with an All-Ireland and two Ulsters in four years, are overwhelming favourites. Rory Kavanagh’s side focused on the championship, despite looking jaded in the league.

Wing back Cathal Mulholland is in Australia, but the core remains: Glass, McFaul, Doherty, with McDermott and McGuckian adding pace. Banagher’s blend of youth and experience (Armstrong, Feeney, O’Neill, Moore) won’t be enough against Glen’s strength.

Ballinderry v Bellaghy – Owenbeg, Sunday 2:45pm
Historic rivalry. Ballinderry won their league clash despite being short-handed. Still without Gareth McKinless but boosted by Niall O’Donnell’s return. Neither likely to win the title but will give their best.

Bellaghy have 21 Derry titles (last in 2004); Ballinderry have nine (last in 2013). Bellaghy have quality in Declan and Paul Cassidy, Chambers, Diamond, McShane, but lack depth and youth development. Damian Cassidy’s team has the edge but could be caught by Jarleth Bell’s young Shamrocks.

Newbridge v Dungiven – Owenbeg, Sunday 4:30pm
Potential game of the round. Newbridge are holders; Dungiven suffered a second-half collapse to Swatragh last year. Newbridge, league winners with one loss in fifteen, are stronger than last year and have Paudie McGrogan back.

Six Derry U20s and three seniors boost their chances. Dungiven have a sharp attack (Fionntan Murphy, the McGonigles) and young defenders Sean McKeever, Patrick O’Kane. Newbridge’s all-round strength and scorers (Oisin Doherty, Sean and Eamon Young, Conor Doherty) should see them through.