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Brendan McGilligan, 30 Aug
As the weekend rolls around once again, it brings with it another round
of championship football in Derry.
However, this weekend will prove to be decisive for many through the
senior, intermediate, and junior levels as clubs secure their
quarter-final status and others suffer elimination, ending their dream
of lifting a championship for another year.
O'Neills Senior Football Championship
Kilrea v Slaughtneil
Saturday - 2:30pm - Kilrea
Slaughtneil are the only side in Group A with a perfect record after
their victories over Swatragh and reigning champions Glen.
In order to do this and essentially secure their progress to the
quarter-final they must travel to the home of the Senior League
champions, Kilrea.
The visitors will be confident of ensuring this progress, with the club
currently the highest scorers (39 points) in the championship, with
Shane McGuigan in fine form the past two games.
Meanwhile, Kilrea will realise that defeat in this fixture would all
but eliminate them from the championship.
The club won their first league title in 43 years, and this was a
massive success for the club, but losses to Dungiven and Bellaghy have
put them in this precarious position.
Kilrea struggled last day out away to Dungiven, and it is unlikely they
will find form to defeat a Slaughtneil side that were in rampant form
against Swatragh last round.
Expect more of the same for both clubs, with feelings of joy and
despair being shared on Saturday evening.
Dungiven v Bellaghy
Sunday - 3:30pm - Pairc Ui Cathain
This promises to be an intriguing fixture.
Dungiven have demonstrated their ability to get goals in the first two
rounds, with two in their loss to Swatragh and then two in their
victory over Kilrea.
However, worryingly, the ease at which opponents can get scores against
them will be a worry for the club and its fans, particularly since the
three goals in quick succession against Swatragh is not the quality of
a senior championship champion.
Meanwhile, Bellaghy demonstrated their quality against Glen last round
as they pushed the current All Ireland club champions all the way,
falling to a 0-10 to 0-8 defeat.
However, this will have been an incredible morale boost for this
weekend's visitors, with Glen the side to beat in this championship,
holding them honest.
Bellaghy also demonstrated their attacking quality when they defeated
Kilrea in the opening fixture.
Both sides know a victory puts them in a strong position to progress,
so expect a competitive fixture, but one full of fine score-taking.
Swatragh v Glen
Sunday - 5:30pm - Swatragh
The home side will be looking for a response following their humbling
at the hands of Slaughtneil last round.
Swatragh never found their rhythm as Slaughtneil dominated from start
to finish.
This weekend gets no easier for the 1993 finalists as they face the
daunting task of beating Glen, something that has only happened once in
the last three years.
Meanwhile, Glen secured their first victory of this championship in a
tight contest with Bellaghy last round.
However, it was a much-needed victory after the club suffered a narrow
first-round defeat to Slaughtneil.
Glen looked back to their formidable form as they controlled
proceedings against Bellaghy, never looking truly worried, masterfully
securing the win like they have done consistently over the last three
years.
Victory for Glen will be expected, with a lot of work needed to be done
for Swatragh to get to the level required to compete with the reigning
champions, let alone beat them.
Lavey v Ballinascreen
Friday - 8:30 pm - Owenbeg
Lavey are the only side yet to secure a result in Group B of this
year's championship; however, they will be wondering how they haven’t.
The current intermediate league champions pushed both Newbridge and
Magherafelt right to the wire, losing by a point in both fixtures.
A masterclass from Shane Heavron denied Lavey last time out as he
scored eight points to secure a Magherafelt victory.
Lavey will have taken a lot of confidence from the opening two
fixtures, knowing they faced the most difficult sides, and will take
this into the next three.
Ballinascreen are yet to secure a victory in this championship, with a
draw against Loup in the opening round followed by a defeat to
Steelstown.
The club know a victory is needed to help in their push for the
quarter-final as they still need to face the imposing propositions of
Newbridge and Magherafelt.
Expect an electrifying game that will go right to the wire.
Loup v Steelstown
Saturday - 5:30 pm - Owenbeg
Loup will look for a response following their drubbing in the last
round, where Newbridge secured a 3-16 to 0-7 victory over Loup.
Their opening-day draw with Ballinascreen was disappointing for Loup,
as they had believed they had done enough to secure victory but had to
settle for a draw in the end.
Loup will expect a tight affair in Owenbeg on Saturday evening as
Steelstown will prove a stern test.
Steelstown secured a victory last time out when they defeated
Ballinascreen by two points, following their limp opening day fixture
where Magherafelt soundly defeated the city side without needing to get
out of second gear.
Victory will put Steelstown in a commanding position to reach the
quarter-finals while Loup know defeat will put them in a precarious
position to progress.
Spectators can expect a cagey affair.
Magherafelt v Newbridge
Saturday - 7:15 pm - Owenbeg
A mammoth clash between the two clubs still a perfect record in Group B
square off on Saturday night at Owenbeg.
Newbridge were in terrifying form as they firmly put Loup in their
place last round after they edged out Lavey in the first round.
Oisin Doherty was in fine form against Loup as he scored six points,
and they will need him in form once again if they want to overcome
Magherafelt.
Magherafelt also scraped by Lavey due to an incredible eight-point
performance by Heavron, and his clinicality will be required to secure
their perfect record.
Victory for either side will essentially see them progress to the
quarter-final, so both sides know there is a lot on the line.