When Francis McEldowney held coveted
John McLaughlin Cup aloft last October in Celtic Park, their first round defeat
against Lavey was long since forgotten.
Similarly when Loup edged out Dungiven to land the 2009 championship
their early season blip against Glenullin was in the past.
This season
it is back to ‘real championship’ as the Derry CCC opted to take away the SFC back
door option and last Tuesday night it was nearly by fate that holders
Slaughtneil were paired with eight times champions Lavey. This year’s gig is very different – no second
chances.
Throughout
all the various grades of the championship 2016 will bring some mouth watering
games.
After the draws were made we got
the opinions of some of the clubs and players involved.
Slaughtneil
goalkeeper Antoin McMullan is going into his ninth season between the sticks
for the Emmets and his experience tells him that his team’s defence of the
title will be as tough as ever. “It’s
wide open for six or seven teams this season.
It’s roulette as much as anything else.”
With Mickey Moran back on board, Slaughtneil will be wary of the Lavey threat. Derry full forward Cailean O’Boyle was the man who fisted Lavey’s late goal shoving McMullan and Slaughtneil towards last summer’s back door and is hoping for a better slice of luck this time around.
With Mickey Moran back on board, Slaughtneil will be wary of the Lavey threat. Derry full forward Cailean O’Boyle was the man who fisted Lavey’s late goal shoving McMullan and Slaughtneil towards last summer’s back door and is hoping for a better slice of luck this time around.
“It’s a
tough, tough draw. Slaughtneil have
deservingly been champions this past two years and are the best in the
business. If we get a bit of luck here
and there, who knows?”
Twenty five
years ago his father Damian was in the midfield engine room as the Erin’s Own men
brought home the All-Ireland, so maybe there is an omen this year.
One of the
last teams to have secured a manager this season was Kilrea, who have Paddy
McNeill senior in charge. James Kielt is
enjoying renewed vigour in the county setup and he reflects on hand Kilrea have
been dealt.
“We
have played Banagher in the championship a few times in recent years and they
have always been tight affairs so I don't see this one being any different. Both clubs will feel with knockout football
it could be a good chance to progress far in the championship.”
Glen’s
season is already up and running with a considerable amount of Enda Gormley’s
squad preparing to retain their Ulster U21 title. Club PRO Conor Molloy highlights the mood of
optimism in the club. They are looking
to take tiny steps towards becoming an established senior team.
“We
are certainly looking forward to the 2016 season. We have a very young panel of
players who are looking to consolidate themselves as senior footballers. We have
Swatragh in championship, they are a big strong team and are never easily
beaten.”
Trillick
man Liam Donnelly has a tough draw with his new club Ballinascreen. He will be glad to have the full commitment
of Carlus McWilliams who has opted not to join the county panel his
season. McWilliams is just glad to have
a target to get this teeth into.
"It’s
a really tough draw for us [v Eoghan Rua] but one the lads will be looking
forward too. At least we have something
now to focus towards for the year ahead. It’s good to have the straight
knockout back in, as it will give the games a far better atmosphere. There are some interesting ties and I can see
there being a few shocks."
In
the intermediate championship newly promoted Faughanvale have retained the
services of Joe Gray as manager. Gray is
setting his sights firmly on retaining the Intermediate status they strived for
last year.
“We’ve
a tough challenge to contend with. Being
in the four team pot with last year’s division one team Foreglen being clear
favourites, makes qualification extra difficult for the likes of ourselves just
coming back to Intermediate. Our focus
has to be intermediate league safety first and foremost.”
With Claudy,
Greenlough and Glenullin all in the senior championship, Foreglen will be
highly fancied for success. Steelstown
and Castledawson will have plenty to say in the shakeup as well.
Another team with
their eyes on glory are seven times winners Craigbane who have secured the
services of Eamon Burns to their management team.
Ace forward Lee Moore missed the business end
last year as they were steamrolled by Greenlough on final day. Moore knows it will be a tough run again.
“No
championship games are easy. We will try
and win every game that comes. Steelstown
are in a tough group with the city derby and Ballymaguigan but as you know
yourself there’s no easy games in championship football.”
In the
hurling championship Kevin Lynch’s are never far away and will have the full
commitment of key players Liam Óg and Kevin Hinphey all season. This will make a huge difference as they
strive to wrestle the Fr Collins Cup from Emmet Park.
Holders
Slaughtneil, like in the football will face Lavey. After their narrow defeat against Cushendall
they are back at the bottom of the mountain again and selector Dermot Doherty
assesses their aspirations for the season.
“It’s
a tough draw against Lavey, who traditionally have strong championship hurling
teams. They have quality throughout their squad but a challenge were looking
forward to as we haven't played them in championship for the last three or four
years.”
Last year
Drum were defeated in the Junior final after a replay and have Jason Hazelett
and Kieran O’Kane back on board again.
They face Limavady in a tasty opening round game. Mickey Boyle from Ballinascreen is the man
charged with taking the Wolfhounds back into Intermediate football.
Drum
goalkeeper Cahair O’Kane realises the task his Drum side is going to face. “It's a very tough draw to start
off with, given that Limavady have played most of the last decade in
intermediate football.”
Playing in the junior ranks and from his career studying
the Derry club scene, O’Kane is well placed to assess his team’s chances.
“They'll [Limavady] obviously be favourites for the
competition, given how often the team that has been relegated has won it in
recent years as well. But we will hopefully be in a position to give them a
good challenge come the time.
There are at least four other clubs that will be
in with a real chance of winning this Championship - and I mean that. The
standard has improved immeasurably in the last few seasons.”
M&L Contracts Senior Football Championship
Preliminary Round
(A) Glen v Swatragh
Round 1
(B) Loup v Glenullin
(C) Glen/Swatragh v Dungiven
(D) Newbridge v Claudy
(E) Eoghan Rua v Ballinascreen
(F) Banagher v Kilrea
(G) Magherafelt v Greenlough
(H) Ballinderry v Bellaghy
(I) Slaughtneil v Lavey
Quarter Finals
(J) Loup/Glenullin v Glen/Swatragh/Dungiven
(K) Newbridge/Claudy v Slaughtneil/Lavey
(L) Magherafelt/Greenlough v Coleraine/Ballinascreen
(M) Ballinderry/Bellaghy v Banagher/Kilrea
Semi Finals
L v J
K v M
Preliminary Round
(A) Glen v Swatragh
Round 1
(B) Loup v Glenullin
(C) Glen/Swatragh v Dungiven
(D) Newbridge v Claudy
(E) Eoghan Rua v Ballinascreen
(F) Banagher v Kilrea
(G) Magherafelt v Greenlough
(H) Ballinderry v Bellaghy
(I) Slaughtneil v Lavey
Quarter Finals
(J) Loup/Glenullin v Glen/Swatragh/Dungiven
(K) Newbridge/Claudy v Slaughtneil/Lavey
(L) Magherafelt/Greenlough v Coleraine/Ballinascreen
(M) Ballinderry/Bellaghy v Banagher/Kilrea
Semi Finals
L v J
K v M
McGurk Architects Senior Hurling Championship
(A) Kevin Lynch's v Na Magha
(B) Ballinascreen v Banagher
(C) Lavey v Slaughtneil
(D) Swatragh v Eoghan Rua
Semi Finals
A v B
C v D
Small
& Hyland Chartered Architects Intermediate Football Championship
Group 1 - Moneymore, Slaughtmanus and Craigbane
Group 2 - Lissan, Drumsurn and Castledawson
Group 3 - Doire Trasna, Ballymaguigan and Steelstown
Group 4 - Faughanvale, Foreglen, Ballerin and Desertmartin
Fixtures – Round 1
Moneymore v Slaughtmanus;
Craigbane Bye;
Lissan v Drumsurn:
Castledawson Bye;
Doire Trasna v Ballymaguigan,
Steelstown Bye;
Faughanvale v Foreglen,
Ballerin v Desertmartin
Moneymore v Slaughtmanus;
Craigbane Bye;
Lissan v Drumsurn:
Castledawson Bye;
Doire Trasna v Ballymaguigan,
Steelstown Bye;
Faughanvale v Foreglen,
Ballerin v Desertmartin
Fixtures – Round 2
Slaughtmanus v Craigbane;
Moneymore
Bye;
Drumsurn
v Castledawson;
Lissan
Bye;
Ballymaguigan
v Steelstown;
Doire
Trasna Bye;
Foreglen
v Ballerin,
Desertmartin
v Faughanvale
Fixtures – Round 3
Craigbane
v Moneymore;
Slaughtmanus
Bye;
Castledawson
v Lissan;
Drumsurn
Bye;
Steelstown
v Doire Trasna;
Ballymaguigan
Bye;
Faughanvale
v Ballerin,
Foreglen
v Desertmartin
Quarter Finals
Winner Group 1 v Runner Up 2
Winner Group 2 v Runner Up 3
Winner Group 3 v Runner Up 4
Winner Group 4 v Runner Up 1
Winner Group 1 v Runner Up 2
Winner Group 2 v Runner Up 3
Winner Group 3 v Runner Up 4
Winner Group 4 v Runner Up 1
Premier Electric Junior Football Championship
Round 1
(A) Sean Dolan's v Glack
(B) Ogra v Ardmore
(C) Drum v Limavady
(D) Magilligan v Doire Colmcille
Round 2
Winner A v Winner B
Winner D v Winner C
Loser D v Loser B
Lower A v Loser C
Winner A v Winner B
Winner D v Winner C
Loser D v Loser B
Lower A v Loser C
McGurk
Chartered Architects RHC
Quarter
Final
(A)
Kevin Lynch’s v Swatragh;
(B) Banagher v Lavey
Semi
Final
Winner
A v Slaughtneil;
Winner B v Ballinascreen
Winner B v Ballinascreen
Glenshane Coach Hire Intermediate Reserve RFC
Round 1
(A)
Steelstown v Faughanvale
(B) Ballymaguigan v Castledawson
(B) Ballymaguigan v Castledawson
(C)
Slaughtneil Thirds v Moneymore
(D) Doire Trasna v Slaughtmanus
(D) Doire Trasna v Slaughtmanus
(E)
Craigbane v Lissan
(F) Magherafelt Thirds v Foreglen
(F) Magherafelt Thirds v Foreglen
Quarter
Final
(1)
Winner B v Winner C
(2) Winner F v Winner A
(3) Winner D v Desertmartin
(4) Ballerin v Winner E
(2) Winner F v Winner A
(3) Winner D v Desertmartin
(4) Ballerin v Winner E
Semi Final
1 v
2
3 v 4
3 v 4
Oakleaf
Restaurant Senior Reserve Football Championship
Preliminary
Round
(A)
Magherafelt v Newbridge
Round 1
(B)
Winner A v Ballinascreen
(C)
Kilrea v Coleraine
(D)
Banagher v Slaughtneil
(E)
Swatragh v Dungiven
(F)
Ballinderry v Claudy
(G)
Greenlough v
(H)
Bellaghy v Lavey
(I)
Glen v Loup
Quarter Finals
(1) Winner B v
Winner H
(2) Winner I v Winner E
(3) Winner F v Winner G
(4) Winner D v Winner C
(2) Winner I v Winner E
(3) Winner F v Winner G
(4) Winner D v Winner C
Semi
Finals
1 v
4
2 v 3
2 v 3
