By Michael McMullan

GLEN selector Johnny Bradley insists their status as All-Ireland champions has no significance on the new championship odyssey.

The defence of their Derry, Ulster and All-Ireland titles starts against neighbours Sleacht Néill on Saturday night.

The Watties, again under Malachy O’Rourke’s watch, will join the Emmet’s (2017) and Bellaghy (1958) as four-in-a-row winners if they can keep their hands on the John McLaughlin Cup.

It took a Danny Tallon goal to edge out Sleacht Néill in last year’s Derry semi-final with Glen going all the way to the steps of the Hogan Stand.

After winning their first county title in 2021, only Kilcoo and Kilmacud Crokes have beaten Glen in championship football.

“We’re not approaching the championship any different,” Bradley told Gaelic Life, adding how January’s win over St Brigid’s is a “distant memory” with another campaign around the corner.

“Ultimately we know how difficult the Derry championship is and how competitive it is. We are under no illusions…we have a target on our back.

“Everybody will be raising their game for us and we’ve seen that actually in the league. From April time everybody we were played were really up for the game and competitive.”

“We’re really delighted to get to championship time and we want to make sure that we’re improving.

“The All-Ireland is not really going to have any bearing on the results over the next few months now, there’s no doubt about it.”

After winning the All-Ireland, Ryan Dougan, Cathal Mulholland, Danny Tallon, Alex and Jack Doherty were among players who took time to travel.

With the Derry leagues not having any link to the championship status, it allowed the Glen management to take a look into their squad.

As they begin the defence of their Derry title, Cathal Mulholland has yet to return and Conor Glass is taking an extended break.

“I think everybody will be back,” Bradley said. “I think Conor (Glass) will be a week or two away yet.

“Obviously after the county, he needed a real break. The likes of him and Ethan (Doherty) have been going for two or three years there. We’re just giving them boys a bit of time.

“I think Cathal is still in Australia but apart from that, everybody’s back and ready to go.”

There is a tweak to the championship this season. With Ballinderry and Coleraine relegated to the intermediate ranks, there were 12 teams organised into two groups of six with the top four advancing to the quarter-finals.

Glen and Sleacht Néill are paired with Kilrea, Bellaghy, Swatragh and Dungiven. Going into Saturday’s opener, Glen are getting back into championship mode.

“It’s getting the Derry contingent back, it’s pushing the team that’s been consistent through the league there as well,” Bradley said of their next few weeks.

“I think and the fact that you’ve got five games now (as opposed to six in 2023) and the fact that there’s two weeks in between, there’s a different complexion to the championship this year.

“Ultimately, what you want is a performance and a step up from the league and push on. It’s just probably about getting a performance and then pushing on for the next game after that because it’s a tough group this year.

“Sleacht Néill, obviously with their quality, then you have three teams who have a good league as well.

“It’s going to be a tough side of the championship as well for all the teams so it’s just about getting a performance now really and pushing on.”