DERRY SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND ONE

MAGHERAFELT V KILREA

Saturday, Swatragh, 2pm

2019 CHAMPIONS Magherafelt fared well in the group stages and are strong favourites to get the better of Kilrea, who received a boost with a one-point win over Bellaghy in their final group stage match.

Verdict: Magherafelt

GLEN V BALLINASCREEN

Saturday, Swatragh, 3.30pm

REIGNING champions Glen have been tipping along nicely and should get the better of Ballinascreen in this knock-out clash. Malachy O’Rourke has quashed fears about Emmett Bradley’s fitness and they should come through this one.

Verdict: Glen

DUNGIVEN V BANAGHER

Saturday, Banagher, 5.45

A TOUGH one to predict. Dungiven are coming off the back of a good league campaign while Banagher have some championship pedigree, reaching the semis in 2019.

Verdict: Dungiven

BELLAGHY V SWATRAGH

Saturday, Owenbeg, 7.15pm

BELLAGHY will be smarting after their surprise defeat to Kilrea, while Swatragh will have gained confidence from their narrow defeat to Glen. Swatragh are improving and might take this one.

Verdict: Swatragh

SLEACHT NÉILL V CLAUDY

Sunday, Dungiven, 1.30pm

SLEACHT NÉILL have been in imperious form with a perfect record in the group stages. Claudy haven’t won a game so this will likely mark the end of their championship campaign.

Verdict: Sleacht Néill

LAVEY V STEELSTOWN

Sunday, Dungiven, 3pm

LAVEY topped their table and have picked up a winning habit, while All-Ireland Intermediate Champions Steelstown Brian Ógs have struggled in the senior ranks.

Verdict: Lavey

BALLINDERRY V EOGHAN RUA

Sunday, Owenbeg, 5pm

EOGHAN Rua fared a little better than Ballinderry in the group stages, picking up two wins from their three games. Ballinderry had a poor day at the office against Sleacht Néill and they may be about to bow out.

Verdict: Eoghan Rua

LOUP V NEWBRIDGE

Sunday, Owenbeg, 6.30pm

A VERY tough one to call as both teams have been competitive thus far. Newbridge have been sticky opponents and the Loup will have to produce a top performance to beat them.

Verdict: Newbridge

DERRY JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINAL

GLACK V BALLERIN

Friday, Owenbeg, 7.30pm

GLACK have dished out a series of hammerings en route to the quarter-finals. Ballerin have had to take the long way around to qualification with a qualifier win over Doire Colmcille. We’ll go for Glack to maintain their good form.

Verdict: Glack

MONEYMORE V DOIRE TRASNA

Friday, Banagher, 7.30pm

CITY side Doire Trasna claimed an impressive quarter-final win over Ogra Colmcille to make the quarters. Moneymore, meanwhile, have bounced back after a bruising defeat to Ballymaguigan. This promises to be a close game.

Verdict: Doire Trasna

BALLYMAGUIGAN V MAGILLIGAN

Saturday, Ballerin, 12.30pm

BALLYMAGUIGAN have been in imperious form all championship and will strongly fancy their chances of booking their place in the last four. Magiligan claimed a good win over Drum to make the quarters but this is another step up.

Verdict: Ballymaguigan

CRAIGBANE V ARDMORE

Sunday, Celtic Park, 12.30pm

MINNOWS Ardmore claimed a surprise win over Sean Dolans to make the knock-out stages. Craigbane are in great form so they should prevail here.

Verdict: Craigbane