Sleacht Néill are champions in Derry

By Michael McMullan

SLEACHT Néill head into the Senior Hurling Championship next month having safely secured the league title.

Ruairí Ó Mianáin hit 2-7 in their recent win over Banagher to seal the deal after the Emmet’s had already won the Early Season League, a competition played without county players.

They are also still in the running for the Senior Football League title with two rounds to play.

Four Masters go one better than last season

Magherafelt, Dungiven, Glen and Newbridge are all in the title race with the next full round of games set for early August.

On the camogie front, there will be a new format to the Senior Championship when it gets underway next month.

The draw is set for Wednesday, July 29 at 7pm at Find Insurance Owenbeg.

Reigning champions Sleacht Néill put their title on the line in a new backdoor format that replaces the group format.

Last years Intermediate champions Dungiven are also now in the race for the Martin Mulholland Cup.

In a bid to freshen up the competition, all eight teams go into an open draw.

The winners of the four Round One games will then play off to see who makes it automatically through to the semi-finals.

The losers of Round One then play off to see who stays in the hunt for the championship.