This weekend’s Derry football championship games

THE Derry Senior and Intermediate football Championships begin this weekend.

Newbridge open their title defence against Kilrea with the tie of the round seeing last year’s beaten finalists Magherafelt lock horns with Sleacht Néill.

Here is a glance at the games….

DERRY SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1

Lavey v Faughanvale
Thursday, Find Insurance Owenbeg, 7.30pm
LAVEY have been close to a breakthrough in recent years and have a stronger squad this season. The ‘Vale have been relegated and have lost key players to Australia ahead of the championship. Lavey expected to progress.
Verdict: Lavey

Newbridge v Kilrea
Friday, Find Insurance Owenbeg, 7.30pm
THE champions didn’t have their full pack during the league and will remember the shock defeat at the hands of Dungiven at this stage last year. Kilrea finished the league with a flourish but are underdogs here.
Verdict: Newbridge

Glenullin v Loup
Saturday, Find Insurance Owenbeg, 4.30pm
ONE of a handful of games that are hard to call. Loup began the season well but drifted away. Glenullin have built on their intermediate run to Croke Park. The kick of a ball will separate them. It might take another 20 minutes.
Verdict: Loup

Steelstown v Swatragh
Saturday, Find Insurance Owenbeg, 6.15pm
STEELSTOWN came very close to toppling Newbridge last season and will be keen to push on. Like their opponents, it was an up and down league season. Swatragh will crave a big championship win. Toss of a coin here.
Verdict: Steelstown

Dungiven v Bellaghy
Sunday, Find Insurance Owenbeg, 12noon
DUNGIVEN will be disappointed how last season finished after an excellent win over Newbridge. The Tones have also had a mixed league. Both teams will fancy this one. Another tight call. Maybe Bellaghy to edge it.
Verdict: Bellaghy

Glen v Banagher
Sunday, Find Insurance Owenbeg, 1.45pm
A FREE shot for a Banagher team who impressed on their way to the Division Two title. They’ve had brilliant championship displays in the past. The Watties have been away from the top table for two seasons but will be fancied here.
Verdict: Glen

Ballinascreen v Ballinderry
Sunday, Find Insurance Owenbeg, 4.15pm
ANOTHER game where both teams will fancy it. Both teams have gone for youth this season and it has the makings of a good, traditional championship battle. Another one where you’d be better keeping your money in your pocket.
Verdict: Ballinderry

Magherafelt v Sleacht Néill
Sunday, Find Insurance Owenbeg, 6pm
IT’S not knockout but it’s the tie of the round. Sleacht Néill come in after winning the league with Magherafelt keen to put last year’s championship final defeat to Newbridge behind them. The loser will be a dangerous opponent in the back door.
Verdict: Magherafelt

DERRY INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1

Drumsurn v Castledawson
Friday, Drumsurn, 7.30pm
A CRACKING game in prospect here. Castledawson faded after some early season form with Drumsurn picking up enough wins to keep themselves ticking over. The championship has been their focus. With Greenlough also in their group, this is the tie of the round. Impossible to call a winner.
Verdict: Draw

Desertmartin v Ballymaguigan
Saturday, Desertmartin, 1pm
WITHOUT Lachlan Murray for much of the season, they ended up missing out on the league promotion spots. Ballymaguigan have plenty of championship pedigree but it’s hard to look past Desertmartin on their home patch.
Verdict: Desertmartin

Eoghan Rua v Slaughtmanus
Saturday, Portstewart, 3pm
EOGHAN were promoted from Division Two with Slaughtmanus relegated. That’s the difference so far. With plenty of experience, the men from the Port will be one of the many title contenders. A winning start here.
Verdict: Eoghan Rua

Limavady v Craigbane
Saturday, Limavady, 3pm
CRAIGBANE have won the title the most times but their new-look team face Limavady who played their league football in Division One. This is a tight one to call. Perhaps a share of the spoils.
Verdict: Limavady

DERRY JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 2

Ardmore v Doire Trasna
Friday, Ardmore, 7pm
DOIRE Trasna were able to watch Ardmore’s opener, a defeat to Magilligan. Trasna were very close in the promotion shakeup and will be fancied to start their campaign with a win.
Verdict: Doire Trasna

Moneymore v Drum
Saturday, Moneymore, 2pm
DRUM showed some signs of promise in their win over Ballerin but were disappointing in their promotion play-off defeat to Ballymaguigan. It’s Moneymore’s first outing but Drum might nick a win.
Verdict: Drum

Doire Colmcille v Glack
Saturday, Doire Colmcille, 2pm
DOIRE Colmcille had a bye in the opening round but had a promising league campaign. Glack lost to Sean Dolan’s in the championship after an impressive league win over Doire Transa. Glack slight favourites.
Verdict: Glack