Magherafelt aim to build tradition

DERRY SFC FINAL

Magherafelt v Sleacht Neill

Sunday, Bellaghy, 4.30pm

By Niall Gartland

THE bookies aren’t giving Magherafelt much of a chance this Sunday, but their assistant manager Paul Quinn says the reigning champions are determined to prove they’re not a one-trick pony.

Sleacht Neill seem hell-bent on winning back the Derry SFC title for the first time since 2017 – it’s not everyday Ballinderry get smashed to smithereens by 3-15 to 1-5 – but it seems a little unwise to dismiss the 11/4 outsiders.

The holders showed the composure that comes with success in their narrow semi-final victory over the Loup, and Quinn agrees that their mentality is different this year.

“Last year we probably thought we could do it, but we didn’t know for definite. Now we know we’re definitely capable and it’s a massive difference.

“It’s fantastic for Magherafelt and members of the club are in dreamland. For the likes of myself who’s come into the club, it’s probably hard to appreciate just how much it means.

“We’re just trying to build a tradition at the club. We didn’t have that for decades and you can only achieve that by winning titles.”

Magherafelt have been bolstered as well by the return of key players like Michael McEvoy (who’s recovered from a cruciate) and Peter Quinn and Ryan Ferris who have transferred back into the club. They have the same management team as last year. Former Tyrone star Adrian Cush is joined by his Donaghmore clubman Quinn, while Dungannon selector James Slater and physio Ann Boylan have done sterling work in ensuring that injuries haven’t crept into the squad. All is rosy in the garden and Quinn says they’re loving their football at the moment.

“It gives there to be rain on Sunday but all our games have been played in fantastic conditions and it’s great to play old-style championship matches in places like Bellaghy. We’re playing week-after-week, there’s not much to do outside of matches and the players are loving it.”

This weekend’s match isn’t just a battle for the cup, but a battle for supremacy in Derry. Sleacht Neill won four titles on the spin during the Mickey Moran era, but they’ve had to watch on as Eoghan Rua and Lavey (2018) and Magherafelt and Glen (2019) have contested the last two finals. Karl McKaigue is out for the season with injury, but they seem to be on a mission this year, demolishing Ballinderry in the semi-finals.

Christopher Bradley had a brilliant game, taking advantage of the space afforded him with Shane McGuigan double-marked, while the likes of Conor McAllister and Paul McNeill were brilliant at the back. That’s without mentioning other in-form players like Brendan Rogers, Francis McEldowney and Chrissy McKaigue, while Antoin McMullan has been excellent between the sticks. Quinn knows they’re a seriously formidable force when on their game.

“I was at their last two games and they’re in some form at the minute. The spine of their team are all Derry county players. Everyone knew from the start that they’d be the team to beat. We’re the holders but they’re the hot favourites.”

DERRY IFC FINAL

Steelstown v Greenlough

Sunday, Bellaghy, 1pm

HERE we go again. Steelstown have been in the Intermediatre final before, but they’re aiming to banish the ghosts of two heart-breaking final losses in this weekend’s decider against pre-tournament favourites Greenlough.

Steelstown boss Eamon Gibson played on the side which lost to Castledawson by a single point in 2010, and he was part of Paul O’Hea’s management team when they again fell short against Castledawson in 2016.

He’s been the manager proper for three years now and is quietly optimistic that this year’s team can smash through the glass ceiling and take back the Intermediate Championship for the first time in the Derry City club’s history.

They showed great character to edge Faughanvale in last weekend’s semi-final, and while they have talented forwards like Ben McCarron, Gareth Logue, Cahir McMonagle and Jacob Duffy, they have solid defenders like Eoghan Concannon and Neil Forester as well.

“In my first year in charge (2018) we were beaten by a good Banagher team in the semis, and last year we lost by Claudy in a first-round replay and they got to the final. Personally I feel we were the better team in both those games.

“Because of the whole Covid situation, there’s more players knocking about so training has been really competitive and it’s pushing everyone on.

“If we don’t manage it this year it’ll be disappointing because it’s the strongest we’ve been in a long time.”

Gibson is still only 36 (a rookie compared to some of the old heads who’ve been pulling up trees in club championships across Ulster) but was forced into early retirement because of injury. He’s entered the management game almost by accident but is glad he can still contribute to his club in a particularly meaningful way.

“Injuries started creeping in and I was in a cycle of recovering and then getting injured again, so I just decided to properly pack it in. I helped Paul O’Hea for two years and this will be my third year on my own.

“I didn’t really have any time off, I stopped playing and ended up doing this, it’s just the way it worked out. I’m always down at the club anyway so I might as well do something while I’m there.”

Gibson also admits his disappointment that their Intermediate final won’t be played at nearby Celtic Park. Instead, it’s going to be hosted by Bellaghy, which is only a few miles away from Greenlough.

“It’s very disappointing that we’re being dragged the whole way to Bellaghy. Maybe they’re trying to keep people away from the town and they’re also live streaming the game which might be a factor.

“In fairness Bellaghy hosted the two senior semi-finals and did a great job. It’s just a shame but our fans will more than play their part in making a good atmosphere.”

They’ll be up against it against Greenlough, but Steelstown have the hard work done and if they play to their potential, anything can happen.

“They were pre-tournament favourites and rightly so. They have some excellent players like Enda Lynn and Brian McCallion, so it’ll be a very tough test. I think it’s fair to say they haven’t done anything to lose their favourites’ tag.”

DERRY JFC SEMI-FINAL

Desertmartin v Ballerin

Friday, Banagher, 7.30pm

DESERMARTIN haven’t fared well in the championship in the last number of years, but all that’s changed as they’ve dropped back to Junior level following a restructure in the league and championship format in Derry.

Managed by Sleacht Neill duo Chrissy McKaigue and Kevin O’Neill, they overcame Doire Colmcille in the quarters and have some serious scoring power in their ranks.

Ballerin, meanwhile, did the business against Moneymore by 0-12 to 0-10 in the last-eight and it was a tough battle they really needed as they only played three games in the group stages. Desertmartin will have noted that Gary Keane has been in brilliant scoring form.

Verdict: Desertmartin

Magilligan v Craigbane

Saturday, Dungiven, 2pm

CRAIGBANE have been in great form in this year’s championship and are unbeaten heading into Sunday’s clash against Magilligan.

They demolished Ardmore in the semis by 2-26 to 0-2 and have already earned a win over 2014 champions Magilligan in the group stages. Magilligan have plenty of experience at the latter end of the championship but on current form Craigbane should prevail.

Verdict: Craigbane