'A wrong they have to right' for Lissan against Ballymaguigan in Derry Junior Championship

Lissan are looking to be third-time lucky as they square off against Ballymaguigan in this weekend's Derry Junior Championship semi-final at Owenbeg.

Their two losses to the current holders of the competition have the club as underdogs, particularly after the last time the two clubs faced off, Ballymaguigan won 4-10 to 1-10, but Lissan are relishing the tag.

Manager Michael Kerr is confident they can upset the odds come throw in on Sunday at 1:45 pm.

He said: “With it being the semi-final, it is anybody’s game, and with it being up at Owenbeg, any team can win or lose there.

“It is a big pitch, and we are glad last time out we got a big win over Glack.

“We are the underdogs, and we always seem to do well when we are in that position.

“We saw Ballymaguigan against Magilligan, and they struggled for a while. If we get our matchups right, I think it could be 50/50.

“They have beaten us twice so far this year, so it is a wrong we have to right, and the players know that.”

Lissan suffered relegation this season after a playoff defeat to Ballerin, and Kerr admitted it was disappointing.

However, he and his team are looking to bring stability and continuity to the side, something they have lacked in the past few years, to allow the youthful team to grow.

He said: “At the end of the day, Lissan isn’t a massive club, but a bit of belief for these boys; they have had four managers in the last few seasons, and when we came in this year, myself, Ciaran Moore, and Andy McCann, the meeting at the start of the year was about bringing belief and continuity to the team.

“There was a setback with relegation, but there is belief and fight in the side ahead of the semi-final.

“Winning the championship would be a bonus for us, but we are planning long-term and bringing the club back up to intermediate, building upon our work this year.”

Lissan are looking to add a fourth junior championship to their proud club history after their victories in 1998, 2007, and 2008.

They understand it is a difficult task ahead of them this weekend, but with the club all singing from the same hymn sheet, the foundations for success are being laid.

Kerr said: “We are young managers coming in with a fresh approach, and we are confident in what we have done so far while working with a group of lads that are incredibly coachable.

“It is a really proud club and positive set-up. We have had incredible support from those in the background, including the chairman and treasurer, to name but a few.

“It would mean everything and would be a fantastic reward for some lads in the club who have been pushing hard at senior level for this club since they were 17, and they have a proper good young squad around them to push on, and that is the reason why we are in a semi-final.”