Derry Junior Football Championship weekend roundup: Quarter Finals confirmed

The final round of the competition's group stages at the weekend determined the Derry Junior Football Championship quarterfinals.

Seven of the eight places had been decided before a ball was kicked at the weekend, with the final place coming down to a shootout game between Glack and Doire Colmcille. 

The two teams knew the winner would take all in this game, and this was seen in the opening exchanges as it was spikey and ill-tempered throughout. 

Colmcille looked like theory would secure the knockout place at halftime as they held a four-point advantage with the score 1-3 to 0-2 in favour of the city side at the interval. 

However, Glack would rally in the second half, kicking seven unanswered points in dreadful playing conditions to run out 0-9 to 1-3 winners. 

The only other match contested in Group B was between Craigbane and Magilligan.

The visitors knew they had already secured top spot in the group last time out with their last gasp victory over Slaughtmanus, whereas Magilligan knew a victory would secure second spot in the group ahead of the quarterfinals. 

Craigbane didn’t take the game likely and continued their perfect championship record this campaign as they secured a 3-9 to 1-5 victory. 

Magilligan may rue the result as it took them from second in the group to fourth, which means they will now face Ballymaguigan in the quarterfinal, a side that has a perfect championship record this campaign while also being the current holders of the competition. 

Slaughtmanus were gifted two points to move them to second in the group as Drum conceded the game. 

In Group A of the championship, the most enticing game was Moneymore against Lissan, as the visitors could have improved their standing in the group. 

However, it was not to be as Lissan, recently off their intermediate relegation playoff defeat to Ballerin, came out with a point to prove. 

The hosts dominated proceedings as they triumphed 5-12 to 1-6 against Moneymore. 

Conditions in Creggan were terrible as the rain lashed ferociously. 

Sean Dolans had already been eliminated from the championship, but in the first half they fought bravely to be trailing 1-3 to 0-2, a half that witnessed a sending off a piece as two players attempted to strike each other off the ball in the build up to a Ballerin point. 

Ballerin made their quality pay as they secured the win midway through the second half with two quick-fire goals, bringing to an end any spirited Dolans fight. 

The final score was 3-8 to 0-4.

Ardmore saw out their forgetful season with another defeat, this time at the hands of rivals Doire Trasna. 

Both clubs had been eliminated from the competition already, and it was a dud game, but the hosts would have been hopeful to secure their first win of the season. 

It wasn’t to be for them as Trasna put them to the sword with a 2-11 to 0-3 win to finish their promising season to a close, with the Waterside team pondering about what could have been after a fine league campaign, only for a disappointing championship.

The quarterfinals will see Ballymaguigan face Magilligan and Lissan play Glack in Owenbeg on Friday, September 20. 

While the Craigbane will square off against Moneymore, and Slaughtmanus will tussle with Ballerin in the other two quarterfinals on Sunday, September 22.