By Michael McMullan

BRIAN McGuckin knows exactly what’s in store when Magherafelt begin their Derry Senior Championship campaign on Friday night.

Last year’s beaten finalists face Steelstown and McGuckin, joint manager alongside Richard Thornton, can remember the Sleacht Néill escaping with a draw against the city side at the same stage last season.

“It was at it,” he recalls, “they’re a very dangerous team and really well drilled under Paddy Campbell.

“They have unearthed a lot of young, quality players. Obviously, they’ve got quite a few players involved in the intercounty setup as well that’s going to bring serious strength and experience to them as well.”

Diarmuid Baker played almost every minute for Derry this season. Cahir McMonagle and Donncha Gilmore were also on the squad.

Ben McCarron, who opted out of the panel, has been playing with the Donegal club in Boston.

“They’re a really dangerous proposition for us. We have to be at our very best when we know that,” McGuckin added.

Magherafelt will be without Conor McCluskey who faces time on the sidelines after a groin operation this week.

Minor players Conall and Caolan Higgins will be focussing in their underage grade before returning to the senior ranks.

“The league has served us well with regard to development, getting a lot of football,” McGuckin said.

It allowed the management to get a look at more players including their minors to help the overall competition within the squad.

They’ll be able to integrate Odhrán Lynch, Eoin McEvoy and Cormac Murphy after their return from the county scene.

“We are looking forward to getting it up and going now on Friday night,” he added.

“Obviously we’re down a few players but we’ll be content enough with where we are.”

Aside from All-Star defender McCluskey being out of the equation and bar “a few niggles”, McGuckin is content with the depth within their ranks.

“Every game is very important because with the structure this year, if you don’t get off to a good start, you’re under pressure,” McGuckin said of their initial championship focus.

Derry’s new 12-team championship comprises of two groups of six teams with the top four in each section advancing to the quarter-finals.

“The aim obviously is to prepare ourselves as best we can and to win every game,” he pointed out.

“Obviously, the other group is an extremely tough group as well with Sleacht Néill, Bellaghy, Kilrea and Glen…just to name a few.”

The quarter-final draw will be seeded on a first verus fourth and second versus third basis.

“Even though you have to put in a serious amount of work and effort to qualify from your group and to finish as high up as you can,” McGuckin explains, “you’re going to end up with a really tough quarter-final no matter who you’re drawn against.”

Elsewhere this weekend, four-in-a-row chasing Glen take on rivals Sleacht Néill on Saturday at Owenbeg.

It will be preceded by Swatragh versus Dungiven.

League champions Kilrea take on Bellaghy on Friday night. Ballinascreen host Loup on Saturday while Sunday’s only game sees Lavey travel to Newbridge.