By Michael McMullan

REIGNING champions Cushendall begin their title defence against league champions Rossa on Saturday in Belfast.

Brian Delargy’s side missed out on the top half of the league, surrendering the league title they won last year.

After picking up some momentum, they finished off the season with the Feis Cup as they head into the business end of the year.

Winning the league ended a title famine for Rossa and gives them a boost ahead of Saturday’s showdown.

Also in Group One, action begins on Friday night with Loughgiel hosting Carey Faugh’s.

The Shamrocks finished just a point behind Rossa at the top of the table and were beaten by Cushendall in the Feis Cup.

For their part, Carey had a mixed season having finished sixth in Division Two and face a tough assignment.

Both Group Two games will take place on Sunday, with Dunloy hosting Ballycastle.

Now under the management of Shane Elliott, Dunloy have been balancing both big and small ball.

The footballers were comfortable winners last weekend and they’ll be hoping to back it up with a winning start in the hurling campaign.

Ballycastle haven’t been in a final since 2015 and you have to go back to 1986 for their last title.

The other game will take place at Hightown where Naomh Éanna welcome St John’s.

The Johnnies hit three goals to win when the teams met back in April.

The winners of each group will advance to the semi-finals with the second and third-placed teams facing off in the quarter-finals.