By Michael McMullan

DERRY’S representatives in the Ulster Ladies championships later this will be finalised on Friday night when intermediate champions Magherafelt take on Steelstown.

The winner on a hastily arranged senior final will represent Derry in the Ulster senior championship.

It sounds straightforward. But it’s not.

Not deemed a senior county, Derry’s senior champions were previously entered in the Ulster intermediate championship with their intermediate champions competing at Ulster junior level.

Steelstown won the senior title last season before going on to win Ulster intermediate. Lavey, Derry’s intermediate champions, went on to win the Ulster junior title.

As a result, neither team were able to take part in the same grade in Ulster.

Like when a dominant Glen dominated the Derry scene at the turn of the millennium, Derry LGFA kept Steelstown aside as their 2024 senior representatives, with the remaining teams organised between intermediate and junior.

Eoghan Rua won the junior title and will face Fermanagh’s Knockninny in Ulster.

Magherafelt beat Ballymaguigan to win the Ulster intermediate title – having overcame Lavey in the semi-final – and are set to play St Gall’s.

However, Ulster LGFA have informed Derry LGFA they must have a senior final in their county.

A final has been fixed for Friday between Steelstown and Magherafelt.

Should Steelstown win, they will play in Ulster senior, Magherafelt will remain in intermediate race.

If Magherafelt were to win, they’ll be Derry’s senior representatives with Ballymaguigan – as beaten finalists – the county’s intermediate representatives.

It would leave Steelstown unable to compete in any further championship football this season.

SENIOR

PRELIMINARY – October 13
Emyvale v Clann Éireann

QUARTER-FINALS – October 20
(1) Lurgan v Derry representatives
(2) Kinawley v Monaghan/Armagh
(3) Termon v St Macartan’s
(4) Moneyglass v Bredagh

SEMI-FINALS – November 3
1 v 3
2 v 4
FINAL – November 17
x

ALL-IRELAND SEMI-FINAL – November 30/December 1
Ulster v Connacht
ALL-IRELAND FINAL – December 14

INTERMEDIATE

PRELIMINARY – October 19
Derrynoose v Mullahoran

QUARTER-FINALS – October 27
(1) Carrickmacross v Belcoo
(2) Saul v Cookstown
(3) Dungloe v Armagh/Cavan
(4) Derry representatives v St Gall’s

SEMI-FINALS – November 3
1 v 2
3 v 4
FINAL – November 17
x

ALL-IRELAND SEMI-FINAL – November 30/December 1
Ulster v Leinster
ALL-IRELAND FINAL – December 14

JUNIOR

PRELIMINARY – October 19
Eoghan Rua v Knockninny

QUARTER-FINALS – October 26
(1) Lámh Dhearg v Warrenpoint
(2) Pearse Óg v Aughnamullen
(3) Derry/Fermanagh v Beragh
(4) Butlersbridge v Downings

SEMI-FINALS – November 3
1 v 2
3 v 4
FINAL – November 17

ALL-IRELAND SEMI-FINAL – November 30/December 1
Ulster v Leinster
ALL-IRELAND FINAL – December 15