PREVIEWS: Derry champions in last chance saloon

HERE are this weekend’s Derry football fixtures, with four teams set to drop out of the SFC race from Round 2B.

Details are correct at the time of writing. Check the Derry website for any changes before making your journey.

DERRY SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 2A

Steelstown v Loup

Friday, Owenbeg, 7.30pm

CAHIR McMonagle’s form will have dominated Declan McVey’s thoughts in the last two weeks. Loup win the game between the sides last year and are playing some excellent football themselves. A toss of a coin here.

Verdict: Steelstown

Bellaghy v Sleacht Néill

Saturday, Owenbeg, 3.45pm

SLEACHT Néill looked impressive against Kilrea and are picking up form at the right time. Bellaghy had 10 different scorers against Ballinderry. It will be a much closer game but Mark Doran’s side to advance.

Verdict: Sleacht Néill

Dungiven v Glen

Saturday, Owenbeg, 5.30pm

DUNGIVEN’S prize is a tilt at recent All-Ireland champions Glen who had their injury problems. James McNicholl’s side were the story of round one after beating Newbridge. Glen have been warned. An interesting one ahead.

Verdict: Glen

Lavey v Magherafelt

Sunday, Owenbeg, 4.30pm

IT’S not knock-out but it’s the game of the round. Two teams who will have designs on doing what Newbridge did last year. Regardless of the result, both will have a say in where John McLaughlin spends the winter.

Verdict: Magherafelt

DERRY SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 2B

Faughanvale v Drumsurn

Friday, Celtic Park, 7.30pm

THE ‘Vale were involved in a cracking extra-time defeat to Steelstown with Drumsurn fading after a positive start against Lavey. Something has to give here. It’s knock-out. Faughanvale might shade it.

Verdict: Faughanvale

Ballinascreen v Kilrea

Saturday, Owenbeg, 2pm

THE last chance saloon for two teams who can beat each other on any given day. Both faded in the second half of their first-round games. Extra-time? There might well be.

Verdict: Ballinascreen

Banagher v Ballinderry

Sunday, Owenbeg, 1pm

THEY met in the recent promotion/relegation play-off with the Shamrocks winning comfortably. Ballinderry’s running game looked dangerous against Bellaghy. They’ll be fancied in this one.

Verdict: Ballinderry

Newbridge v Swatragh

Sunday, Owenbeg, 2.45pm

THE champions must come out with the purpose they failed to show against Dungiven. Swatragh showed glimpses against Loup but failed to make them count. Newbridge are a wounded animal. Beware.

Verdict: Newbridge

DERRY INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALLCHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 2

Desertmartin v Glenullin

Saturday, Desertmartin, 1pm

GLENULLIN hit four goals to see off Greenlough to give them a perfect start. Desertmartin have been without the injured Lachlan Murray and had no game on the first weekend. An important game in the toughest group.

Verdict: Glenullin

Limavady v Claudy

Sunday, Limavady, 1pm

LIMAVADY have been promoted to the senior league for 2025. They’ve opened with a win but manager Ciaran Mullan has also raised the standards in Claudy. Hard one to call.

Verdict: Limavady

Foreglen v Ballerin

Sunday, Foreglen, 1pm

FOREGLEN had a chance to see Ballerin in action against Craigbane and will have noted their bright start and strong finish. Foreglen have tradition in this championship and should begin with a win.

Verdict: Foreglen

Castledawson v Eoghan Rua

Sunday, Castledawson, 1pm

THE game of the weekend after Castledawson’s defeat to Ballymaguigan. Eoghan Rua didn’t have a game in the opening week and are coming into the championship on the back of a mixed league. A tough call. Don’t rule out a draw.

Verdict: Eoghan Rua

DERRY JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 2

Glack v Sean Dolan’s

Saturday, Glack, 1pm

WHILE Odhrán McKane was shooting Dolan’s to victory over Trasna, Glack had a bye in week one. With just one of the nine teams not making the quarter-finals, the groups are full of shadow boxing. Glack’s last competitive game was a win over Trasna earlier this month.

Verdict: Glack

Slaughtmanus v Drum

Saturday, Slaughtmanus, 1pm

DRUM failed to score in the final quarter of their defeat to Magilligan. Slaughtmanus were operating a division higher in the league. They had a bye and will have had a chance to look at what Drum had to offer.

Verdict: Slaughtmanus