Derry Junior Championship round up: Magilligan upset Junior League champions Slaughtmanus

Derry’s Premier Electric Junior Football Championship threw in last weekend. 

Results across the weekend went as expected on the script, except in Magilligan.

The 2016 Junior Championship champions got their campaign off to the perfect start by shocking this season’s Junior League champions. 

Much was expected of Slaughtmanus coming into this game, but the Tamnaherin side were pitiful and a shadow of themselves with their performance. 

Magilligan took full advantage of this, beating Slaughtmanus 1-10 to 1-7 at home with James Payne in clinical form on Friday night. 

James McQuillan and his Slaughmanus squad won’t panic, as they have time and the games to finish in the top four and qualify for the quarterfinals, and it may be the wake-up call they needed for them to achieve the junior double this season. 

Magilligan’s winning start to Group B was accompanied by wins by local neighbours Glack and bookies favourite Craigbane. 

Glack ran out seven-point winners over Drum, beating them on a scoreline of 0-16 to 1-6 on Thursday night.

Intermediate League side Craigbane ran out 3-11 to 1-9 winners over Doire Colmcille on Saturday. 

Meanwhile, in Group A, Moneymore occupy the top after their victory over Sean Dolans on a scoreline of 3-15 to 1-2.

Ardmore failed to field a side, gifting two points to Ballymaguigan as they look to retain their Junior Championship title. 

Ballerin managed to overcome Doire Trasna in what was set to be a tight and feisty affair after their game on the final day of the season, which was abandoned, handing the league and automatic promotion to Slaughtmanus, denying Ballerin the glory.

And the south Derry side came out victors on a scoreline of 1-7 to 0-6, courtesy of a penalty just before halftime.

Clubs will reflect upon this first round and analyse how to improve or maintain their start to the championship.