Derry Championship braces for unforgiving weekend at Owenbeg
Slaughtneil look to bounce back from their Magherafelt shock
The first round of the O’Neills Derry Senior Football Championship took place last weekend, with a number of standout performances whetting the appetite for what promises to be another fiercely competitive campaign.
The competition is renowned as one of the most competitive club championships in the country, thanks largely to its almost straight-knockout format. An eight-game opening round sends the 16 teams down either a winners’ or losers’ path. The winners enter Round 2A, where another victory will secure a place in the quarter-finals.
The losers, meanwhile, enter Round 2B, where victory earns them a quarter-final playoff against a defeated Round 2A side. For the four teams unfortunate enough to suffer back-to-back defeats, their championship hopes will be replaced by a battle for survival in the relegation series.
The second round takes place this weekend, meaning that for four of the county’s top-tier clubs, their hopes of lifting the John McLaughlin Cup could quickly be replaced by fears of losing senior status.
It is difficult to start anywhere other than the marquee fixture of the opening round, which saw O’Donovan Rossa and Robert Emmet’s lock horns in a clash of two of Derry’s heavyweights. Slaughtneil held the advantage for much of the contest, but a sensational late surge from Magherafelt saw them turn the game on its head and secure a 2-21 to 1-15 victory. It was a statement performance from the east Derry side, who will now face city outfit Steelstown in Round 2A.
The city men will provide serious opposition after Brian Ógs produced one of the standout displays of the opening round, sweeping aside Swatragh on a 4-13 to 0-14 scoreline. Cahir McMonagle stole the show with a remarkable personal tally of 3-6, including a first-half hat-trick, as Steelstown made an emphatic start to their campaign.
Arguably the standout fixture of Round 2A will see Lavey take on three-in-a-row chasing Newbridge. Lavey proved far too strong for Faughanvale in their championship opener at Owenbeg on Thursday evening, cruising to a 2-21 to 1-8 victory. The Downey cousins, Matthew and Conor, were in superb form for Erin's own, combining for 2-9 over the hour, including two second-half goals.
Newbridge, meanwhile, survived a spirited Kilrea challenge to secure a 0-17 to 1-10 victory. After suffering a heavy defeat in the opening round last year, Sean O’Leary’s men could hardly have wished for a better start to the defence of their crown. Oisin Doherty was instrumental in the victory, finishing with 0-10, including three two-pointers, despite the difficult conditions.
The final confirmed Round 2A fixture will see Bellaghy face 2024 All-Ireland champions Watty Graham’s Glen on Sunday evening. Glen survived a major late scare against an impressive Banagher side, having appeared to be cruising when they led by 14 points. A late salvo of 2-4 without reply reduced the deficit to just four in the closing stages, giving manager Finnian Moriarty plenty to ponder ahead of their meeting with Bellaghy.
The historical kingpins of Derry football will be a formidable challenge after Wolfe Tones comfortably overcame Dungiven 1-21 to 0-8 in the opening round. Watty Graham’s will nevertheless remain strong favourites to secure the direct route to the quarter-finals.
Things do not get any easier for Banagher, who have arguably pulled the short straw in the opening two rounds. They now face one of the championship’s leading contenders, Slaughtneil, in Round 2B as they look to keep their season alive.
Glenullin, meanwhile, marked their return to senior football in dramatic fashion, with a late Ryan McNicholl goal securing victory over Loup. They will now face the winners of the refixed Ballinderry-Ballinascreen tie, which takes place on Friday evening in Find Insurance Owenbeg.
Round 1 Refixture
Friday, September 4, Ballinderry vs Ballinascreen, 7:30pm in Owenbeg.
Round 2A Fixtures
Sunday, September 6, Steelstown vs Magherafelt, 4pm in Owenbeg.
Saturday, September 5, Lavey vs Newbridge, 6pm in Owenbeg.
Sunday, September 6, Bellaghy vs Glen, 6pm in Owenbeg.
Glenullin vs Ballinderry/Ballinsascreen.
Round 2B Fixtures
Thursday, September 3, Kilrea vs Faughanvale, 7:30pm in Owenbeg
Sunday, September 6, Banagher vs Slaughtneil, 2:15pm in Owenbeg.
Saturday, September 5, Swatragh v Loup, 4:15pm in Owenbeg
Dungiven vs Ballinderry/Ballinascreen.