Leadon Timber Senior Hurling semi-finals

Slaughtneil v Swatragh, 4-45pm Saturday

IMPROVING Swatragh face a monumental task against Granaghan Parish neighbours Slaughtneil who are favourites to win their 13th title in a row.
Swatragh’s only title came in 2012 when they shocked Banagher at Celtic Park, winning by 2-10 to 1-7.
Since then there has just been one winner and that was Slaughtneil who were never seriously tested in the dozen winning games.
Until 2015 the Ulster club title was the preserve of Antrim teams, mainly those from the Glens but Slaughtneil broke the mould by beating Cushendall in the Ulster final.
The signs were coming the previous year when they lost to Loughgiel by a point after extra time.
In short, they have won five of the last ten titles. Last year Swatragh shocked Kevin Lynch’s in the county intermediate final and went on to contest the Ulster final only to lose to Carey of Antrim by a point.
They have been putting a huge amount if work into their hurling. A couple of recent results caught the eye.
Their reserves beat Kevin Lynch’s in the championship and their under 16 team also beat Lavey in the championship.
While they have yet to register a goal in their three games to date the hlders have been averaging an amazing 28 points per game.
They have brilliant finishers in Derry captain Cormac O’Doherty and rising star Shea Cassidy.
Swatragh are a solid unit who will give their all but they do not find scoring as easy as the champions.

Ballinascreen v Kevin Lynch’s, 2.45pm Sunday

Kevin Lynch’s will be strong favourites to face Slaughtneil for the fifth time in seven years when the final comes around.
They learned a harsh lesson last year when Swatragh turned them over with two late goals.
This year they look to be a more composed and organised team. That was evident when they ran Slaughtneil to four points in the group stages, scoring 1-20 in the process.
Some half of their team are Derry senior regulars and a few played the previous year. They have some very skilful players like Darragh McGilligan, Corey O’Reilly, Richie Mullan and Conor Kelly.
If these players at their best it could be a difficult day for the St. Colm’s.
Last season Ballinascreen won the Ulster junior title and reached the All Ireland semi final. In that run they improved game after game.
They may be minus midfielder Marty Bradley who came off injured in their last game and they do not have many other players who can fill that role.
Paul Cleary, Eamon Conway, Reece McSorley and Noel Rafferty are the key players.
If Kevin Lynch’s can keep up their recent form they have every chance of staking a lace in the final two weeks hence.

Junior Semi Finals

Banagher v Na Magha, 3pm Saturday

Brian McGilligan’s Banagher will be the hottest of favourites to reach the final.
Last year they lost to Slaughtneil in the senior final which was a major surprise. Slaughtneil won comfortably in that game.
In their last game the St. Mary’s suffered a two point defeat at home to Ballinascreen and that dropped them to the junior grade.
Na Magha have shown signs of improvement under Paddy Lally but they are not strong in the art of scoring and depend largely on the free taking of Deaglan Foley.
Banagher’s experience and the scoring ability of Darragh Cartin and Shane Farren should see Banagher safely thrrough.

Lavey v Eoghan Rua, 1pm Sunday.

Like the other semi final there is a clear favourite and that is Lavey.
Eoghan Rua are having a winless season as they strive to keep hurling alive along the north coast. They have to be admired for their persistence.
Their cause has not been helped by the loss of Ruairi Mooney who is out with the dreaded ACL.
There was a time when Lavey dominated Derry hurling and football at the one time but they keep battling on.
Eoghan Rua have not won a game this season but in recent outings they have been posting quite a few goals but unfortunately conceding too many soft scores at the other end.
Teenager Rian Collins has been one of the stars of the championship. In football terms he is the holder of minor All Ireland, Hogan and MacRory Cup medals.
The sprinkling of youth in the Erin’s Own ranks should pave a path to the final.