Derry Junior Football Championship weekend preview

Premier Electric Junior Football Championship

Doire Trasna v Moneymore

Saturday - 2:30 pm - Doire Trasna

For Doire Trasna, it is now or never.

The Waterside team have failed to win so far in the championship, and this has put them in an unenviable position of needing to win their remaining two group games with results going their way in other fixtures or they will be eliminated. 

Moneymore travel to the city knowing that they will secure their progress to the quarter finals with a victory. 

The south Derry side have enjoyed their fixtures this championship against city clubs, having secured victory over Sean Dolans in the opening round before humbling Ardmore in the third round. 

Moneymore will look to make it three from three against the city side, and they will be confident knowing all the pressure is on Trasna.

Sean Dolans v Lissan

Saturday - 3:30 pm - Sean Dolans

Sean Dolans also know they must secure victory if they wish to progress to the knockout round. 

The Creggan side have done well to this point in the championship to put themselves in this position of having a chance after an important victory over Ardmore and a draw with Doire Trasna. 

Little was expected of them coming into the competition, but they have battled hard and deserve to be in this situation. 

Lissan were gifted a win midweek as Ardmore conceded the fixture, placing them in a favourable  position of knowing a win over Sean Dolans secures their place in the quarter final.

Lissan impressed to this point with a dazzling display over Trasna before edging Ballerin out in a tight affair. 

Lissan will be confident of a win but must remain wary of a determined Sean Dolans looking to upset the odds and give them a fighting chance of progression. 

Ballerin v Ballymaguigan

Sunday - 5:30 pm - Ballerin

This will be a real test for Ballerin. 

Ballerin will still be hurting from how their league season ended with the title slipping out of their hands. 

The hosts face the current reigning champions of the junior championship wanting to make a statement ahead of their likely progression to the quarter final. 

Meanwhile, Ballymaguigan will be looking to carry on the form that has seen them secure five wins from five. 

The visitors know there is a target on their back and will not be complacent on Sunday. They are also knowledgeable that a victory will secure the top spot in Group A, giving them a perceived easier tie in the quarter final.  

Slaughtmanus v Craigbane

Friday - 8:15 pm - Doire Trasna

The most enticing match of the weekend in the junior championship this weekend was fittingly being hosted at Celtic Park, but a late change saw the game moved to Doire Trasna.

Both clubs will look at this as the perfect test of their title credentials. 

Slaughtmanus, the junior league champions, have not lit up the championship thus far, suffering a shock defeat in the opening round to Magilligan before an expected victory against Doire Colmcille followed by an unconvincing win at home to Glack in the last round. 

A win here would be the perfect confidence boost for the Every Road club, but a performance is needed to convince many neutrals that they are worthy of being discussed as potential champions. 

Meanwhile, Craigbane impressed this season in the intermediate league before taking the step down to compete in the junior championship. 

They came in as one of the favourites and have justified that tag with their performances thus far, with a 100 percent record after three games. 

But this will be a sterner test than those that came before, but should they carry on their form into this fixture, they should earn the victory. 

Magilligan v Glack

Sunday - 1 pm - Celtic Park

The opening of a double header in Celtic Park on Sunday afternoon should expect a feisty match between two local rivals. 

Magilligan know a win would mathematically confirm their place in the quarter final, and they would love this confirmed before their final round fixture against Craigbane. 

Meanwhile, Glack will feel unlucky not to be in a better position, as they will rue missed chances not to earn a victory last round at Slaughtmanus. 

Glack play Doire Colmcille in the last round, and they will want their quarter final qualification in their own hands. 

Anything could happen in a local derby, but Glack need the win to control their championship destiny. 

Drum v Doire Colmcille

Sunday - 2:45 pm - Celtic Park

This is a do-or-die game for Drum.

If the seven-time junior championship winners suffer their fourth defeat of this competition, then they will be eliminated.

Only a win will keep their hopes of progression alive before needing another win in the final round. 

Doire Colmcille don’t need a win, but if they suffer defeat, then their qualification for the quarter final is in serious jeopardy. 

The city side know that a Magilligan victory will make their final round game with Glack a straight shootout, but they would like to be in the commanding position of coming into that fixture securing their first win in this championship, providing a major confidence boost to this impressive young side.