Champions face a familiar opponent in Derry

By Michael McMullan

SLEACHT Néill put their Derry and Ulster titles on the line against Kevin Lynch’s in Sunday’s Derry Senior Hurling Championship Final in Find Insurance Owenbeg.

The champions have had their hands on the Fr Collins Cup since they made the breakthrough in 2013. Sunday’s challengers were last champions two years before that.

Sleacht Néill look set to be without injured trio Ruairí Ó Mianáin, Fionn McEldowney and Eamon Cassidy.

All three picked up knocks on football duty but Kevin Lynch’s manager Davy McCloskey has his own injury concerns.

Conor Kelly is a doubt and will be a loss after landing vital scores in their win over Swatragh.

John Mullan also missed their most recent football championship outing but Niall McGonigle will return from suspension.

Darragh McGilligan was an important part of Derry’s Christy Ring success story, but was replaced in last weekend’s football win over Ballinascreen.

Kevin Lynch’s beat both Lavey and Swatragh to get to the final with their eye for goal being a key factor in their progession.

For their part, Sleacht Néill were comfortable winners over Na Magha and Banagher on their path to Owenbeg on Sunday.

The prize for the winners is potentially a Ulster Senior Championship semi-final spot against the Tyrone champions.

However, if Carrickmore side Éire Óg, the current Ulster Intermediate champions, don’t emerge from Tyrone, the Derry champions will then have a bye.