WITH the restrictions limiting training in clubs still in place, preparations for the new season are slow.

Usually clubs in Derry would be working towards their new leagues which begin in March and April usually. However, the coronavirus pandemic has meant that club players are doing the work on their own.

The club management situations across the county seem to mostly be in place, and have been sorted since the end of last year.

There is no change in Sleacht Néill as the senior footballers will be managed by Paul Bradley who returned the title to the club last year. After their run of four titles in-a-row, from 2014 to 2017, they lost in 2018 and 2019. But they returned to glory last year with a final win over Magherafelt, the 2019 champions.

Magherafelt lost the county final last year, but Adrian Cush is going nowhere, as they try to win back the title they won in 2019.

There is a change in Banagher though as former Kilcoo coach Paul Devlin becomes joint manager alongside Charlie O’Kane who managed with Mark Quigley  last year.

Bellaghy’s manager for 2021 is John McKeever, along with Kieran Glackin, Leo Meehan, Ciaran McNally, and Tommy Devlin. Bellaghy were managed by Joe Cassidy last year.

The Loup will have the same manager as last season, which was Paddy Bradley and Kevin Brady.

Swatragh’s manager is Kevin Madden, who is from Limavady and had worked with Banagher before. He will have Swatragh men Seanie McGuckin and Martin Turner in with him.

In Ballinderry, former county keeper Michael Conlon is manager. He was alongside Niall Conway and James Conway last year.

Ballinascreen had Liam Bradley as manager last year and he had Ciaran McElroy in along with him, McElroy is the main man for 2021. His backroom team includes Martin Boyle, Adrian Higgins, Jerome Bradley, Noel Browne, Kevin Murray and Dr Michael Logan.

Lavey have Jude Donnelly and Seamus Downey over them this year. Michael Hassan was manager last year. Downey managed the team two years ago, and Jude Donnelly was manager of Glen last season.

This year, Glen will have Malachy O’Rourke at the helm. The former Monaghan manager took a break from football last year, after spending five season taking the Farneymen. O’Rourke is familiar with Derry football having previously managed the Loup. There is no change in Claudy as Emmet  McKeever remains in charge as manager.

HURLING

Sleacht Neill’s management remains the same. Michael McShane stays in the role for his seventh year in charge.

Ballinascreen’s hurlers will be led by Cathal McDai d and assisted by Paddy McEldowney. Danny McGrellis will be the coach.

Lavey’s hurlers will be coached by Johnny McGarvey.