PREVIEWS: No more second chances in Derry as knock-out begins

THE knock-out stages in the Derry football championships begin this week.

Here at the fixtures…

DERRY SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINALS

Glen v Banagher

Saturday, Owenbeg, 5pm

A REPEAT of the first round game won by the Watties. Glen have their share of injury concerns but have plenty of quality. They’ll need it against a Banagher team on the crest of a wave.

Verdict: Glen

Magherafelt v Bellaghy

Saturday, Owenbeg, 7pm

ROSSA looked secure at the back against Lavey but now come up against a Bellaghy team who have been balanced in their play. Paul Cassidy missed their win over the ‘Vale. A tight game here. Extra-time? There may well be.

Verdict: Magherafelt

Sleacht Néill v Lavey

Sunday, Owenbeg, 4pm

LAVEY’S suffocation of Kilrea’s kick-out won’t have been lost on Sleacht Néill manager Mark Doran. Padraig Cassidy missed their battle with Bellaghy. He could be useful here, in the game of the weekend in front of the TG4 cameras.

Verdict: Sleacht Néill

Newbridge v Steelstown

Sunday, Owenbeg, 6pm

THE champions lost their opening game before flexing their muscles against Swatragh and Loup. They haven’t gone away. Steelstown have been involved in two belters but this might be a bridge too far.

Verdict: Newbridge

DERRY INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINALS

Limavady v Craigbane

Friday, Celtic Park, 7.30pm

LIMAVADY were promoted to Division One as champions and have backed it up with championship wins to top their group. They are the form team but Craigbane are the most decorated club in the championship with seven titles. Toss of a coin.

Verdict: CRAIGBANE

Glenullin v Ballymaguigan

Saturday, Dungiven, 3pm

THE ‘Glen topped the trickiest of group of all. Ballymaguigan toppled neighbours Castledawson but face the acid test here. Michael O’Kane has blooded more youth and it could make them hard to stop.

Verdict: Glenullin

Foreglen v Claudy

Sunday, Celtic Park, 12noon

CLAUDY will welcome Shane McGahon back after suspension and they will be buoyed by showing their underbelly when Lissan looked like ousting them. If anything, this is a mental test against Foreglen who have always had their number.

Verdict: Foreglen

Greenlough v Eoghan Rua

Sunday, Celtic Park. 2pm

ANOTHER clash of two teams with genuine title hopes. The Portstewart side have put in two impressive scoring performances and they’ll need another. If they can limit the impact of Niall Loughlin, their title favourites’ tag could be justified.

Verdict: Eoghan Rua

DERRY JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINALS

Glack v Magilligan

Thursday, Celtic Park, 7.30pm

THE first game of the weekend between two teams who have lifted the cup in the last decade. Magilligan have the forwards to make the scoreboard tick but they’ll need to keep an eye on Glack’s scoring threat.

Verdict: Magilligan

Drum v Slaughtmanus

Friday. Owenbeg, 7.30pm

IT’S hard not to think about the encounter in the group stages. Drum led the whole way to the end, until Conor McGee’s winning penalty. Both teams have the ingredients in a wide-open title race.

Verdict: Slaughtmanus

Moneymore v Sean Dolan’s

Saturday. Dungiven, 1pm

TIERNAN O’Neill is the championship’s top scorer and Moneymore have more around the edges. Odhrán McKane is the man they must keep a lid on in the Dolan’s attack.

Verdict: Moneymore

Doire Trasna v Doire Colmcille

Monday, Celtic Park, 7.30pm

REFIXED for Monday, this is a city derby. Colmcille had a drew with Moneymore before being awarded a walkover against Ardmore. Trasna have been operating at a higher level in recent season and are fancied to advance.

Verdict: Doire Trasna