The holders ahead of SFC season

Antrim: Cargin

Cargin have been the kingpins in the Saffron County for the past decade and since 2015, they’ve stacked up seven championship crowns. Once again, the Erin’s Own men are hoping to complete a successful three in-a-row having won the two previous championships in 2022 and 2023. They battled past two newcomers, who were hoping to make the breakthrough for the first time ever in the past two years, defeating Aghagallon after extra-time two years ago and Dunloy by five points last season.

Armagh: Crossmaglen

Crossmaglen head into this year’s Armagh SFC hoping to earn their first three in-a-row of championship crowns since 2015. The Rangers may not be the force of old, but they’re still the team to beat in the Orchard County and they’ve shown that with their convincing victories in the last two county finals against Granemore (2022) and Clan na Gael (2023). Cross have an outstanding tally of 47 championship titles and are way out on their own in terms of the Armagh SFC roll of honour.

Cavan: Gowna

Cavan’s county championship perhaps goes under the radar a bit in terms of how competitive it is and that’s what made Gowna’s success so impressive last year. While they captured the Oliver Plunkett Cup for the first time in 20 years in 2022, they backed it up last season and won back-to-back honours. Only Killygarry got close to the champs in the knockout stages last year, with three the difference after a replay in the quarter-final. Gowna were convincing winners in the semis and the final.

Derry: Glen

2023 was a historic year for Glen as they went all the way to Croke Park and up the steps of the Hogan Stand. Not only are they currently the team to beat in Derry, but they have a target on their backs for everyone around the country. The Watty Graham’s men have really taken over the club scene in the Oak Leaf County since securing their breakthrough victory in 2021 and this season they are eyeing up their fourth county title in-a-row.

Donegal: Naomh Conaill

Like a lot of counties, Donegal have had one dominant force in their club championship over the past number of years and that has been Naomh Conaill. The Glenties side have collected the championship crown in four of the last five seasons, with St Eunan’s disrupting their dominance back in 2021. Naomh Conaill were convincing winners last year, beating Kilcar and Glenswilly along the way and they saw off Gaoth Dobhair by eight points, 1-16 to 1-8, in the decider.

Down: Kilcoo

While a number of teams have threatened to end Kilcoo’s dominance in Down over the past few years, very few have succeeded. Burren are the only other team to have lifted the Frank O’Hare Cup in the last 12 years when they beat the Magpies in the 2018 final, but outside of that, it’s been all one-way traffic in the Mourne County. Karl Lacey’s men were comfortable winners over Burren in the controversial 2023 final and Kilcoo are aiming for a sixth consecutive title this season.

Fermanagh: Derrygonnelly

Derrygonnelly’s dominance has wavered somewhat in Fermanagh over the past five years, but they are still the team to beat. Instead of winning it every year, the Harps have won three of the last five county titles and this season they’re hoping to secure their first back-to-back since 2019. They surrendered their crown to Ederney and Enniskillen Gaels in 2020 and 2022 respectively but reclaimed their throne last season with a 2-8 to 0-9 victory over Erne Gaels in the decider and Derrygonnelly remain the top dogs in the Erne County.

Monaghan: Scotstown

Scotstown are closing in on Castleblayney’s stance at the top of the Monaghan roll of honour and while they still have a bit to go, they’ve made massive strides over the past decade. Scotstown are undoubtedly the team to beat in the Farney County have won the Mick Duffy Cup eight times since 2013. There has been the odd slip up, like Ballybay in 2022, but Scotstown quickly regained their crown last season, beating Inniskeen in the final, and are on the march for two in-a-row.

Tyrone: Trillick

Tyrone is deservingly recognised as the most competitive club championship in the country and no team has won back-to-back titles since Carrickmore in 2004 and 2005. That’s the mission ahead of Trillick this year, who have won the most county titles in the last ten years having lifted the O’Neill Cup three times. They needed extra-time to see off Errigal Ciaran in the 2023 decider and the Tyrone Championship will be just as tight once again this season.