DERRY GAA: Ex-champions clash in Derry Club Championship opener

This season’s senior competition will be a 16 team championship, played in a ’back door’ format with all games at neutral venues. The first round brought an open draw with some intriguing clashes alongside the Emmet’s meeting with the Rossas.

Elsewhere, champions Newbridge – who have lifted the John McLaughlin Cup in both 2024 and 2025, begin their defence with a tie against Kilrea which they will be expected to win. Steelstown’s recent improved showing at the senior grade will be tested by Swatragh while Faughanvale begin against one of the championship dark horses in Lavey.

Glen will be a huge test for Banagher who have been plying their trade this season in Division Two while Bellaghy against Dungiven could rival the Slaughtneil v Magherafelt clash for tie of the round.

The full draw was as follows: Ballinderry v Ballinascreen; Glen v Banagher; Steelstown v Swatragh; Faughanvale v Lavey; Kilrea v Newbridge; Bellaghy v Dungiven; Glenullin v The Loup; Slaughtneil v Magherafelt.

The winners of those opening round games then face off in Round 2A (which is an open draw), the winners of those ties heading directly to the quarter-finals.

The opening round losing clubs also face an open draw against other losing teams, the winners of these Round 2B ties facing defeated sides from Round 2A for a place in the last eight while losers drop into the relegation play-off semi-final draw. The quarter final draw will be separated into two pots, clubs who reached the last eight directly in Pot 1 and those came came through qualifiers in Pot 2.

All games will finish on the day except for the Championship Final, which will go to extra time, then replay. Replays will finish on the day.

McFeely Group Intermediate Championship

Meanwhile the McFeely Group Intermediate Championship, which will be played our groups of three with clubs playing one home and one away game, looks extremely difficult to call with some big games across the groups.Group C looks particularly tight with one from Greenlough, Drumsurn and Castledawson going to miss out.

Limavady, who will be among the front runners having played their league football in Division One, will be expected to progress but there is nothing easy in a group that includes Craigbane and Lissan.

In each section the top two teams in each group advance to the quarter finals, first then meeting second across the groups, while the third placed teams in each group will play in relegation semi-final. The semi-finals will be an open draw with repeat pairings allowed.

The full draw was as follows: Group A – Claudy, Eoghan Rua & Slaughtmanus. Group B – Lissan, Limavady & Craigbane. Group C – Greenlough, Drumsurn & Castledawson. Group D – Desertmartin, Ballymaguigan & Foreglen.

Premier Electric Junior Football Championship

Like the Intermediate grade, the Premier Electric Junior Football Championship will begin in a group format with three groups of three teams, each playing one home and one away. The quarter final draw will be seeded with teams 1-4 in pot 1 and teams 5-8 in pot 2.

And again, there will be some intriguing clashes with Group A looking really tight as Drum, Ballerin and Moneymore battle with only two going forward. Group B is another tough one to call with city sides Doire Colmcille and Sean Dolan’s taking on a Glack side who are never easily defeated in Championship football.

The full draw was as follows: Group A – Drum, Ballerin & Moneymore. Group B – Doire Colmcille, Glack & Sean Dolans. Group C – Doire Trasna, Magilligan & Ardmore.

Leadon Timber Senior Intermediate and Junior Hurling Championship

Slaughtneil v Banagher

Kevin Lynch’s v Lavey

Ballinascreen v Na Magha

Swatragh v Eoghan Rua.