KILLIAN Conlan talks to his brother Mickey every day. But they haven’t spoken properly in a few weeks.

The reason is that the brothers are managing opposing teams in the first round of the championship.

Mickey C, the former county goalkeeper, is manager of their club Ballinderry. Younger brother Killian is over Newbridge. And the two teams clash tonight (Thursday) in the opening round of the Derry Senior Club Championship. The sibling rivalry makes for a dramatic encounter, but one that Killian wished had not happened, again.

“I was hoping last year, (Ballinderry played Newbridge in the championship) was the last time. Unfortunately it has cropped up again. It is not what I wanted. I am happier that it is the group stages and not the knock-out.

“My brother Mickey C was involved last year, but has taken over as manager this year. Our communication levels have been very limited. Coming from speaking to each other every day, I am looking forward to Friday.”

In 2012, Ronan McGuckin chose not to manage Errigal Ciaran when the Tyrone champions met Ballinderry in the Ulster Club series. Errigal Ciaran won the game and McGuckin returned for the semi-final which they lost to Crossmaglen.

Conlan did not want to step down.

“Absolutely not. I am really enjoying this role with Newbridge and I can see a bright future ahead for them. I want to be a part of that. I am youth officer in Ballinderry and work with underage group, I am vice secretary, I am in charge of pitch rotas, so I am still very much involved with Ballinderry.”

Conlan says that Newbridge have great potential.

“They do possess a bulk of players who are part of county squads. There are good youth players, and there is a good average age. They are physical, they are athletic and tactically aware. Their committee is progressive. They tick all the boxes.

“Now they have not won it since 1989, Lavey are in the same boat, but if you look Magherafelt didn’t win it for 40 years, Glen have never won it. There is no reason why they can’t be talked about in the same way as those teams. There are a lot of clubs in Derry who are at the same level. I think Sleacht Néill and Glen are a wee bit ahead of everyone else. But there is a good group there who are at the same level and could appear in a final.”

The clash is a repeat of the 2020 meeting when Ballinderry fought back from being five points behind at half time to win 2-18 to 1-15 after extra-time.

“Ballinderry won the game last year fair and square,” Conlan said.

“They showed their quality in the second half. Newbridge should have had the game out of sight at half time. When you give a team like Ballinderry a sniff then they will take the opportunity. But I don’t think Ballinderry will give Newbridge the same start.”

The Newbridge squad is fully fit for the game. Conor McAteer was out for a few weeks but is back. Peter McGrogan hurt his shoulder against the Loup but his rehab has been going well and they expect him to be fit.

They have only played two matches in August, against the Loup and Glen. They were also due to play Ballinascreen, Ballinderry and Lavey, but those matches were cancelled, for one reason or another.

Newbridge have also been without a considerable contingent of players who were with the county. Mark Doherty was part of the minor All-Ireland winning squad. Padraig McGrogan and Conor Doherty were with the county seniors. While Conor McAteer and Shane McGrogan were with the county u-20s. Not having any matches meant that it is hard to get the team gelled together.

Yet Conlan says they still have made progress.

“The league was a worthwhile exercise. We used it as an opportunity to bring on new players. That has worked.”

The round-robin games take place throughout September and the start of October, and the first round of the knockout is on October 10.

This season, the Derry Championship has a round robin section that decides the last 16 match-ups. There is also a losers’ section and the loser of that will be relegated to intermediate level.